Jr. NBA programme to develop talent here
It is a global youth basketball programme that has already reached more than 1.5 million children, coaches and parents across South-east Asia.
Next week, the Jr. NBA programme will also make its way here, thanks to a partnership between the NBA and national sports agency Sport Singapore.
The free programme teaches young boys and girls, aged between five and 14, fundamental skills and core values such as sportsmanship and teamwork.
It will complement the work of the recently launched ActiveSG Basketball Academy.
Singapore is the sixth Asean nation to have this programme, after Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
The NBA plans to reach five million children by 2020.
"The Jr. NBA programme gives us access to curriculum and methods for coaching and junior player development that will enable the ActiveSG Basketball Academy to develop an edge in nurturing basketball enthusiasts," said SportSG CEO Lim Teck Yin.
NBA Asia managing director Scott Levy added: "Thanks to the support of Sport Singapore, we'll speak directly to kids, parents, and educators in Singapore about health and fitness while improving the level of local basketball."
The programme will kick off next Wednesday at the Choa Chu Kang Sports Hall with a session to develop local coaches involved in this scheme.
An open coaches workshop will be held next Friday at Pasir Ris Sports Hall, followed by open clinics for aspiring cagers at Sengkang Sports Hall next Saturday, and at the Choa Chu Kang Sport Hall on Sunday.
Also, children can take part in six training sessions next month and in September, where selectors will choose 200 boys and girls, aged between 10 and 14, to join a National Training Camp.
The camp, from Sept 9 to 11, will be attended by a former or current NBA player, and will culminate in the selection of 15 Jr. NBA Singapore All-Stars. The 15 will go on an overseas NBA trip with other Asean All-Stars later this year.
Children may sign up at www.jrnbasingapore.com, while coaches may sign up for workshops at www.myactivesg.com.
- LIM SAY HENG
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