Local basketball program offers an introduction to the game and important lessons about co-operation and teamwork. (Northfield Photography)

By Dan Marshall

FIRST BASKETS

Island Swish offers youngsters introduction to basketball

Apr 8, 2021 | 4:55 PM

NANAIMO — Children from kindergarten to grade eight can learn about the sport of basketball or develop their current skills through the Island Swish Friday Night Lights program.

There’s been strong interest from families in the April to June sessions at Nanaimo Christian School with some spots still available.

Coach Avneet Brar said the goal of the sessions is simple.

“Island Swish is for both boys and girls to help kids develop their interest in the sport at a young age and get them playing.”

For some of the younger participants it may be the first time they pick up a basketball.

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Brar explained the lessons learned at that age go well beyond basketball fundamentals.

“A lot of it is channeling the enthusiasm they already have. There are life lessons like what is listening, what is trying your best, what is getting out of your comfort zone.”

Skills such as dribbling and shooting are a big part of the sessions as well with COVID protocols in place to maintain safe distance.

The focus is exclusively on fun and exploring a love for basketball at the kindergarten to grade five level but instruction gets more detailed for the grade six to eight students.

“Things we would work on with our university athletes every day are the same things we would work on with kindergarteners every day,” Brar said.

As a coach with the VIU Mariners, he has experience dealing with a wide range of players.

“Shooting, passing and dribbling fundamentals are so important. We’re going to teach these things at a young age and they’re so important for the rest of their sports upbringing.”

Recently Brar has seen athletes he’s worked with at camps come up the ranks and be a part of the VIU basketball program.

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dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @danmarshall77