Organizers of last week's summer basketball camp in Sechelt had a glass half full approach. Half full because that's what the gym was - half full.
"It's disappointing to see the numbers down this year," said Don Van Os, head coach of the two-time provincial AAA boys champion Terry Fox Ravens, who, along with Mike Hind, executive director of Basketball B.C., were the two main coaches at the camp.
"I remember when we had over 100 kids at this camp. This year it's between 60 and 70. The kids who are here are working hard and are committed, but it's difficult to feel like you are giving back to the sport when not that many kids are here in the gym," Van Os said.
The senior-age camp held last week at Chatelech Secondary School had 19 girls and 22 boys take part. Van Os estimates that between 25 and 30 kids participated in the two elementary school camps July 14 to 18 at Halfmoon Bay and July 15 to 21 at Cedar Grove.
Ellen Thomas from Chat also helped out with instruction alongside other Sunshine Coast coaches. Participants received instruction in all aspects of the game, including development drills and scrimmages.
"The guys' camp was outstanding. The guys worked their butts off," Van Os said. "There is some real talent there and the more they improve and continue to show the commitment, they'll all just improve that much quicker."
Van Os said the girls' camp was equally hard for the players and although most of the players lacked experience, they showed improvement throughout the week.
"Most of the girls don't have quite the same skill level, so the camp had more of a recreational atmosphere to it," he said. "We tried to push the skill envelope a bit and the girls kept battling and kept trying, and I think that's what it's all about. When you're tired and you don't quit, that's when you get better - when you push yourself."
Van Os said next year he hopes to bring up a few of his Terry Fox players earlier in the year to put on a few coaching and skill clinics to try to entice players to come out and be a part of the camp.
"We have to try to get to the younger players earlier and get more of the senior players out, show them the value of the camp and what it can do to further their basketball skills," he said. "These camps are important in terms of player development. The only way these players get better and the school programs get better is if all the players buy into the system and want to improve. That improvement starts with summer camps like this."
