The league will start this Friday, August 16, 2013 with an opening ceremony at 5P.M. at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duffs Bottom, Tortola. Photo: VINO

Some of the organisers of the Intermediate Basketball League. L-R Coach Milton McLean, Bishop John I. Cline, Hon. Julian Fraser, RA, Julian Willock and Rajah Smith Photo: VINO

At least 11 teams have so far been confirmed for the Save the Seed Energy Centre’s intermediate basketball league which is also co-sponsored by Third District Representative Hon. Julian Fraser, RA. (L-R) Bishop John I. Cline of the Save the Seed energy Centre and Third District Representative Hon. Julian Fraser, RA. Photo: VINO/File

The league will start this Friday, August 16, 2013 with an opening ceremony at 5P.M. at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duffs Bottom, Tortola. It is being described as a national league which is open to all and the launch will see two games being played on opening night.

There is a 9-12 age group division with an intermediate section that will accommodate any age or gender.

According to committee member, Raja Smith, there were specific requirements that determined the eligibility of the players in the league. Smith said the Summer league has two divisions, A Division and B Division, and explained that the B Division was the junior of the two.

“Any player that played on a team that made the playoffs are not qualified to play in the Intermediate League that we have, but if a player is 21 [years] or under and has played on one of the playoff leagues, he/she is eligible,” Smith said. He explained that this was because the league was a developmental one.

Smith further explained that everyone on the committee was prepared for the start of the league, “Everyone on the committee wants to make a difference and be a part of [the league],” he added.

Some of the Teams registered so far include: Knights; Avengers; Talk Done; Fillipinos; HLSCC; Da 3rd; Real Tool; West Gunners; Baugher's Bay; Skullsm and Game Boys.

According to a release by the group, the first two games will kick off this Friday, August 16 after a brief opening ceremony with speakers including Hon. Julian Fraser RA, the New Life Baptist Church youth pastor Colin Gunthrope and Byron J. Hodge - the President of the BVI Basketball Federation and a strong supporter of the basketball league.

In an invited comment, Hon. Fraser said the Save the Seed Energy Centre was a major facility in his District that provides for community building and he found it very important that he partner with Bishop John I. Cline to see how the youths could further be developed.

“It became quite a novel idea that we put on a clinic such as the one we’re going to put on on Friday for the young people,” he stated.

“I think that based on my observation for the sport of basketball in the Territory there is a lot of growth possible and I would want to think that what we are doing is giving it our best shot at making it possible for these young people to advance to the level that they need to be at,” Hon. Fraser added.

The Save the Seed Energy Centre and Hon. Julian Fraser’s basketball league sponsors include Digicel, SOL BVI, The National Bank of the Virgin Islands, Honourable Archibald C. Christian and the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports. Many more sponsors are expected to come on board.