The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

BALLIN’ By Da Beach Basketball Camp’s new venture has been a resounding success over the course of the week as it engaged with hundreds of participants virtually amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

BBDB, in conjunction with the Bahamas Basketball Federation, hosted its first virtual basketball camp which concludes today via Zoom. Free to all registered participants the camp has featured five days of high quality training from some of the Bahamas’ best national team, college and high school coaches.

BBDB was created by Jurelle Mullings in 2010 when she saw a need to place a greater focus on the development of women’s basketball at the youth level. She is also the coordinator of the Student-Athlete Resources and Support (STARS) Programme in the Ministry of Education.

“I feel that we accomplished our goals which are for the kids to have fun, grow and learn something new to get better,” she said.

“We will have to take it day-by-day to see how this gradual reopening evolves and how we are able to co-exist with COVID-19 and hopefully sports will return soon.

“Maybe it will not return in the way we know it, but return in another fashion where kids can compete and still be safe and healthy.

“As far as regular play is concerned, our definition is going to have to change – that is the way I see it. It leaves the door open for innovation in sports.”

The camp is scheduled to close out today.

Under-17 Skills Challenge head coach and CSA Basketball Founder Marvin Henfield is the lead coach for the Skills and Drills segment.

The schedule each day began with a warmup session led by Macfit 360 personal trainer - Kayle Fox.

Following Henfield, Dr Simeon Hinsey - founder of the iYes, will lead the mental skills training; Geno Bullard Jr - Head Coach at San Antonio Prep Community Middle School, will head leadership development; Rashad McKenzie - Head Coach at CH Reeves will cover building basketball IQ while Sunland Baptist Assistant Coaches Denzel Knowles and McDonald Jean Louis will conduct themed video fundamentals.

Other coaches over the course of the camp included University of the Bahamas Mingoes men’s basketball head coach - Bacchus Rolle, Bahamas senior men’s national team head coach and Golden State Warriors assistant coach - Chris Demarco, University of Houston Cougars Assistant Director for Player Development - Mikhal McLean and many others.

The camp represented the second virtual initiative for BBDB during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With its traditional camp cancelled for the summer, BBDB partnered with Global College Access to host the “Student Summer Success Series” - sponsored by the University of the Ozarks.

The series included nightly Zoom sessions, featuring university presidents, athletic directors, coaches and college admissions leaders.

Geared toward high school students, student-athletes, parents, coaches, guidance counsellors, and educational stakeholders, all sessions were free of charge.

Since 2010, the camp has featured hundreds of underserved, aspiring student athletes.

In addition to the camp, the organisation also hosts a Recruitment Exposure Showcase to aid aspiring players in their college recruitment process.

“Our mission is to take a personal interest in every basketball player and coach to help them become game changers on and off the court. Our vision is to build a movement of passionate basketball players by delivering excellence through the game. Our vision inspires us in our daily work. We create a diverse, collaborative, encouraging environment where teamwork and openness are the cornerstones.”