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US b’ball stars passing on skills to VI youngsters

- also emphasising on discipline as Xperience Outreach annual basketball camp gets underway
The children who are part of the Xperience Outreach basketball camp taking in what is being taught them. Photo: VINO
Taking the youngsters through the paces of the game. Photo VINO
Taking the youngsters through the paces of the game. Photo VINO
Push-ups were part of the drills. Photo: VINO
Push-ups were part of the drills. Photo: VINO
Rich A. Mahler teaching the fundamentals of the game. Photo: VINO
Rich A. Mahler teaching the fundamentals of the game. Photo: VINO
Teaching ball control. Photo: VINO
Teaching ball control. Photo: VINO
One of the best slam dunkers in the world is Brandon Matano of the United States. He is a part of the Xperience Outreach coaching team Photo: VINO
One of the best slam dunkers in the world is Brandon Matano of the United States. He is a part of the Xperience Outreach coaching team Photo: VINO
Brandon Mantano taking the youngsters through their paces. Photo: VINO
Brandon Mantano taking the youngsters through their paces. Photo: VINO
Showing just how it is done. Photo: VINO
Showing just how it is done. Photo: VINO
Giving direction to one of the young players. Photo: VINO
Giving direction to one of the young players. Photo: VINO
One of the coaches is Jah Howard, a free agent within the NBA. He is said to be the brother of NBA superstar Dwight Howard. Photo: VINO
One of the coaches is Jah Howard, a free agent within the NBA. He is said to be the brother of NBA superstar Dwight Howard. Photo: VINO
Going through the rigors of the training. Photo: VINO
Going through the rigors of the training. Photo: VINO
Learning the fundamentals of the game. Photo: VINO
Learning the fundamentals of the game. Photo: VINO
Another of the US coaches working with the youth. Photo: VINO
Another of the US coaches working with the youth. Photo: VINO
Rich A. Mahler (centre) speaking with the other coaches today July 7, 2015. Photo: VINO
Rich A. Mahler (centre) speaking with the other coaches today July 7, 2015. Photo: VINO
DUFFS BOTTOM, Tortola, VI - Full of promise, potential and energy, dozens of boys and girls are taking part in the annual Xperience Outreach basketball camp at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duffs Bottom under the guidance of coaches and players from the United States.

The overseas contingent comprises some who have played with the National Basketball Association (NBA) of the USA.

Speaking on the programme, founder of the Save the Seed Energy Centre Bishop John I. Cline today July 7, 2015 said, "every year we look forward to hosting this basketball camp with the Xperience Team out of New York and of course Save the Seed."

He said it has been going well. "We have four of the people Xperience that are here to help is to run the camp and it has been going great," he said.

Bishop Cline said that yesterday July 6, 2015 the camp was held in Virgin Gorda, giving the people there a chance to experience what Tortola experiences.

"It is not only about basketball but it is teaching them discipline, about God, teamwork and how to build that whole camaraderie," he said.

One of the members of the Xperience Outreach Team, Rich A. Mahler spoke of the programme and what it aims to achieve.

"We've been coming down here doing the camps. This is my third year and as Bishop said it is more than just a game so we like to come down and show the young men discipline, show them the game, show them love, and really be able to share about Jesus Christ with them," he said.

Mahler said that among them were persons who played with the NBA and who have now dedicated their lives to youth.

"The best part is when you come back year after year and see the progress of the kids. It's been amazing to watch how they grow, not only in height but in their maturity and also the coaches that are here...it is also interesting to watch them see the different skills, programmes and how they coach the kids and they increase the knowledge right now," he said.

He believes that the future of the territory's basketball is bright for programmes such as this one.

On Thursday July 9, 2015 there will be the first ever STS Xperience Outreach Youth Conference and on Friday July 10, 2015 there will be a dunk contest and celebrity games featuring the Virgin Gorda All Star Team versus the Bayside Blazers then the Professional Athletes of the USA versus the Tortola All Star Team. 

Bishop Cline said that the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports plays a significant role as one of the major sponsors of the events.

13 Responses to “US b’ball stars passing on skills to VI youngsters”

  • church (07/07/2015, 16:12) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great good going bishop
  • Vision!!! (07/07/2015, 17:48) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Write the vision and make it plain. Good going NLBC and Bishop Cline for creating a state of the art, stable, safe environment for children to be productive.
  • .......... (07/07/2015, 18:52) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    Are deeds real nba players or what?
  • stupid (07/07/2015, 20:31) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    All these groups paying all these people all this money to come here and when they done the money go right with them.

    Then a local group doing same thing teaching sports can't get a dime from them because they don't even answer the phone.

    Set of hypocrites
  • qc (07/07/2015, 22:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good show.
  • Meli (08/07/2015, 09:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I thought this was done by the Department of Youth Affairs & Sports as indicated on their summer programe application form. Now I'm seeing otherwise.
  • good (08/07/2015, 10:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This makes me think back to when Melo came for the opening of the multipurpose gym. I was a young boy; now I'm a young adult. Look how time fly...
  • parent (08/07/2015, 18:48) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    My kids go to the camp and it's been amazing for them!!!! Thank you sts
  • thank you (08/07/2015, 19:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Our kids are looking forward to the youth conference tomorrow.
  • Thanks (12/07/2015, 20:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great week for our youth!!! Thank you to all who were apart of helping the kids. Lets keep the momentum on the islands
  • thank you (31/07/2015, 21:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What a great week! Is this only once a year or is it more often? Who can I get in contact with At Xperience or Save the Seed
  • great (06/08/2015, 16:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    When is the next camp???


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