The fall rec and club sessions for Island Swish basketball are expected to draw nearly 400 youth basketball players from all skill levels. (Island Swish)

By Dan Marshall

Bouncing Into Fall

Island Swish offers full slate of recreational and club basketball this fall

Sep 1, 2024 | 7:15 AM

NANAIMO — It’s not only time for back to school, but kids fall recreational basketball programs with Island Swish.

Organizer and coach Matt Kuzminski said they’re looking to get as many young players involved in the sport as they can in the kindergarten to Grade 9 age groups.

“We have rec leagues and those are action packed 60 minute sessions that have some skill development and some emphasis on soft skills like listening, teamwork and co-operation.”

Swish has been around for five years with both recreational and club basketball being offered.

Kuzminski said last year they had about 400 participants involved.

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“A portion of each rec session is dedicated to game play where at the older ages they get into a full court five on five game and at the younger ages it’s some small sided games and lots of fun activities. It runs for eight weeks and it’s a great place for kids to develop a passion for the game.”

There is a wide range of skill levels and experience so the sessions don’t focus on competition.

“The rec league provides a really supportive environment,” Kuzminski said. There’s a really big emphasis on returning players supporting newer players. We encourage passing and inclusivity through smaller games and drills. It’s about getting everybody involved, there’s even shifting and we don’t keep score.”

The other stream of basketball training at Swish is the club program which goes from U11 to U17.

Kuzminski points out their club teams have really evolved.

“In the early days I don’t think we won many games. But we’ve seen our kids improve through rec leagues, camps and club sessions. This past spring our Swish teams were very successful. We played tournaments in the lower mainland, the island and even in the United States. At all levels our teams won a lot of tournaments. Our club program is getting recognition province wide and even beyond.”

Swish continues to grow in popularity and Kuzminiski has even started to see players he knows from the program come to join his VIU Mariners men’s basketball team.

“We anticipate this year will be really big and some of our programs are filling up quite quickly. Anybody interested in signing up can check out information at our website. They can find some of the details and can register there.”

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