First Day Camp
TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2009
Jerome: You know, it is a great experience to be able to carry my craft across the seas. When you are overseas you have to change your perspective. You have to be personable to the kids so they trust you, and be sensitive to the fact that they will be a bit over excited. They don't get this opportunity everyday and they might not ever get it again. Andrea and I do take some extra time to take pictures and sign autographs to give the kids a little extra encouragement. We want to get the point across about hard work and a strong work ethic, but also we want to keep them motivated and excited.
The clinics started today and were great. The kids were focused and we were able to get the first wave of basketball started. The pace of the camp was strong. I always tell kids that if you don't put 110% in you don't get anything out. I am really trying to focus fitness as a key part of basketball. The new wave of basketball is no longer about sitting on the floor grabbing your leg and stretching it out. You need to get the joints moving and the body wound up. They are now practicing and doing the same thing here that we are teaching in the States. I think some of the kids and coaches are stretching some parts of the body they never knew were there.
It is very inspirational to see all of the women here, especially the young ladies since it is a sign that the role of women in society is progressing in the right direction. It is great to be part of implementing something that will strengthen the role of women in sports here in Bahrain. And like Andrea said the girls - a lot of them have more skills than the boys. They have worked hard on the fundamentals. Basketball is a universal sport - it's not just for men and boys, but for women and girls as well. It doesn't matter if you are young, old, man, woman - if you are willing to work hard and focus on the basics - basketball is your game. It is a sport that involves a ball, 5 players, a basket and a lot of dedication.
Andrea: We had a great first day. The kids were very motivated, dynamic, and eager to learn. Each of them has different basketball skills. Some are good at defense, but they all need to focus on basketball fundamentals. I always enjoy working with international kids. With international kids, I have to communicate differently, with a more hands on approach. But international kids are more eager and excited to learn. All in all, it was a great day.
One of the best parts of this program is working with the young ladies. I thought that the young ladies were very fundamentally strong. They obviously want to be a part of a game of basketball because they've gone out and learned the fundamentals. They are even stronger than the boys. It put a smile on my face to know that there are young ladies here who have the talent and the skills to play in the United States, in college and in the WNBA, so I would like to encourage them to continue to play.