The chosen five, along with Digicel Brand Ambassador Jason A. Edwin (left), Tommy Farrell, Robert Mackinnon and Troy Justice on Wednesday August 26, 2015. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Well known and respected basketball player and coach Jason A. Edwin will this weekend accompany five youngsters from the territory to a basketball camp in Trinidad as part of the Digicel NBA Jumpstart initiative aimed at moulding young talent through expert coaching and guidance. Photo: VINO/File

“It is the second part of the Jumpstart initiative which Digicel partnered with the NBA. Basically it will be teaching them the fundamentals of becoming well rounded individuals in the community,” Edwin said, speaking to this news site today September 24, 2015. Photo: VINO/File

Coaches taking players through the paces during one of the workshops in VI. Photo: Provided

“It is the second part of the Jumpstart initiative which Digicel partnered with the NBA. Basically it will be teaching them the fundamentals of becoming well rounded individuals in the community,” he said, speaking exclusively to this news site today September 24, 2015.

The five selected for Trinidad are D’Moi Hodge, Ajai Frett, Malachy Payne of Elmore Stoutt High School, Cory Flax Solomon of St George’s Secondary and Omar Walker of the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies.

The camp will take place from September 26-28, 2015 in Trinidad and Tobago. The top eight players from the Elite Camp as determined by an NBA coach and legend will have the opportunity to attend an NBA game in the U.S.

Edwin noted that similarly, youth will be drawn from each market in which Digicel has a presence to be part of further training and coaching in Trinidad. “The last step is that they will be taken to Trinidad for that portion of the training and eight out of these boys will be selected to go to the US,” he said.

“We applaud the NBA and Digicel for launching this initiative in the British Virgin Islands as this will no doubt bring first-class expertise to the Caribbean, making it easier for the players to take their game to the highest level possible,” said Mr. Paul A. Hewlett, Acting Assistant Director of Sports, Department of Youth Affairs and Sports in the Virgin Islands.

“Digicel is all about developing aspiring young athletes at the grassroots level, having done so in various sports including cricket and football,” said Tommy Farrell, Commercial and Finance Director, Digicel. “Over the years, we have developed and maintained partnerships with big name sporting organisations such as Chelsea FC, Manchester City FC, Sunderland FC and the WICB to name a few. We are delighted to be adding the NBA to that list and supporting the development of basketball in the territory and across the Region.”

“We are excited to partner with Digicel to bring grassroots basketball development to hundreds of young Caribbean players,” said Philippe Moggio, NBA Senior Vice President, Latin America. “Digicel is one of the Caribbean’s leading operators, and they share our vision of growing the sport of basketball in the region and teaching the values of a healthy, active lifestyle.”