Deon Sagala gives the More than Ball students a life saving lesson as part of the Programme's goal to provide an all round education to basketballers. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Tahj Malone, recently back from School in the States, tries some CPR on a dummy patient during the informative session. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Jonathon Cruz, who has taken some first aid courses, puts a team mate, Gianni Maduro, into the recovery position. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

More than Ball is an intense Basketball training Programme that has always stood by its mantra of providing more than just playing time to the youths lucky enough to be enrolled. It only accepts the highest standards both on and off the court and expects every “student” to not only maintain high grade point averages, but also to develop respect for family, friends, authority and each other.

On Thursday, as part of that goal, the group was given a lesson on how to deal with helping a team mate or indeed anyone else who is in a life threatening situation, delivered by Paramedic and member of the “More than Ball” family, Deon Sagala.

Head Coach, Mike Nalls, none simply as “Coach Mike” focused the gathering, explaining that he had once been on court talking to a friend during a basketball game and that he didn’t know what to do when the friend unexpectedly collapsed unconscious. “It has played on my mind ever since” he said “and you guys need to understand what you can do to maybe save the life of someone when faced with a similar situation.”

Sagala then explained that no one ever knows how they will react in any given situation. “However, with some basic training, instincts will take over and they just might be able to save a life.”

The session began with Sagala stating that one of the most important aspects before any attempts of CPR can begin is to make sure that the environment is safe and then to make sure the emergency services are contacted. 

He then demonstrated to the group the correct techniques for attempting to revive the unconscious victim by stimuli before attempting CPR. “If you then have to administer CPR,” he said, “make sure the airway is clear and then begin compressions by placing one hand above the other and pressing down on the victims chest at a steady rate, after 30 compressions, 2 breaths are delivered and then the cycle begins again until the person becomes responsive or the Emergency Services arrive.”

Sagala, who returned to the Territory in 2008 as a Paramedic, received his training in Florida. He is hoping more people will attend at least a basic course. As he pointed out, “any given circumstance can arise where a basic knowledge of CPR can save a life. It’s very important for players and coaches to know what to do if they come across an unconscious player on the court or even a family member at home.”

The session was just one part of the work being done to provide an all-round education to members of the More than Ball programme that started just over a year ago by Keith “88” Malone and Coach Mike.

Numbers are increasing, which Coach Mike puts down to how the players are performing in the current Summer League. “Some of our kids are the top performers in the league and the other players are saying to themselves if it works for them maybe I need to try it too. The programme is definitely raising the standards of the game and anytime a kid can get into a gym and get some personalised training it has to help.”

The Programme is open to Boys and Girls aged 8 to 18, but Coach Mike is a firm believer in the 10,000 hours learning principle and hopes to attract some more players at the younger age so they can benefit even more from training. “I would prefer to have some younger ones. There is a proven philosophy that you need 10,000 hours or ten years to make a true athlete or person and become what you really want to be and we also want more girls,” he commented.

Some of the best testimonies of the programme’s success have come from the parents and community. Some of the participants reportedly had bad reputations or were unruly at home, but all of them have reportedly since amazed their parents and drawn admiration for a “change around” by members of the Community. “It’s something we enforce very strongly,” said Coach Mike. “Without discipline and respect for themselves and each other, without respect for others then they will go nowhere and also will be suspended from the programme until they apologise and prove they have learnt from the error.”

Whilst the Programme is very focused on improving playing and life skills, what the kids get out of it is very much up to them. It is not a conveyor belt to get players into college programmes “It's all up to the kid,” stated Coach Mike. “Some want to get into college, yes, but some just want to get into shape, whilst some just want to improve their basketball.”

Whatever the individual goal, one thing for sure is that this is a well rounded programme and one that is definitely worth taking a look at.