Basketball and life skills are on offer through Island Swish. An eight week rec league for children in kindergarten to Grade 8 runs Jan. 28 to Mar. 18 in Nanaimo. (Island Swish)

By Dan Marshall

Good Bounces

Kids basketball rec league in Nanaimo offering up sport and life skills

Jan 28, 2022 | 8:59 AM

NANAIMO — A weekly rec league program aims to build up basketball and life skills for local children.

Island Swish offers skills and mini games to students from kindergarten to grade 8 over an eight week program.

Program director Matt Kuzminsksi said sessions run at Aspengrove School and Oliver Woods Community Centre for boys, girls and co-ed.

“It provides opportunities for players of all ages and all skills through elementary school to get an introduction to basketball in a fun way whey’ll get some skill development and then small sided and even full games.”

It’s expected nearly 150 children will be registered for the sessions.

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Kuzminski explained signups for Island Swish programs have increased in the two years COVID-19 has interrupted many events in Nanaimo.

“I think basketball in general is picking up interest in our youth. It’s something I can see as a school teacher and a basketball coach in the community.”

According to Kuzminski players will be able to take away life skills as well as basketball skills from the rec league program.

“It provides the ability to learn how to listen properly. We focus on one of those types of skills every week whether it’s listening or compassion. Basketball provides an opportunity to grow and sports provides an opportunity to build character.”

The Island Swish rec league runs from Jan. 28 to March 18 but it’s far from the only program available.

In April, there is a club program for kids from the U8 to U17 level and September will see a fall program and rec league offered.

Kuzminski said they have worked to build programs to interest everyone interest in the game.

“Our main focus is providing basketball opportunities for youth but there’s also coach development in the form of coaching clinics and player development at higher levels for club basketball.”

Information on all Island Swish programs is available on the program website at www.islandswish.com and through social media channels.

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