Engen fuels basketball coaching development in SA
US Basketball Coaches begin their clinics in SA
Former President Nelson Mandela said it best, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world” and for the last five years, Engen, through the annual hosting of the Basketball Coaching Seminar, has provided amateur basketball coaches in South Africa the opportunity to gain invaluable knowledge of the fundamentals of basketball coaching.
This year, Durban has been selected as the host city for the Engen US Coaches Tour Basketball Coaching Seminar, in association with the Kwazulu Natal Basketball Association, to be held at the University of Kwazulu Natal from 27 – 30 September 2009.Fifty amateur coaches from across the country have already been invited to attend the four-day seminar. The primary aim of the seminar is to enhance the technical knowledge of the amateur coaches. Armed with this task, the accomplished team of US basketball coaches is led by Joyce Jenkins, a former basketball star and current President of Future Incorporated.
Since its inception in 2004, Jenkins has been a great supporter of Engen Basketball and has played an integral role in developing the sport at youth level. “Education in every aspect of life is the key,” said Jenkins, “We encourage participating coaches to join us on the court to ensure that they can demonstrate the skills, in preparation for when they return to their respective provinces to teach their players”.
“Last year, the seminar included sessions on the topics of self worth and the importance of education. This year will be a culmination of the last five years and the US coaches will encourage local coaches to conduct actual practice sessions which include the teachings of the last four years,” she explained.
“The practices are based on how training sessions are conducted in colleges and on the professional levels”, Jenkins added.
Joining her is an all-star team of basketball coaching royalty that includes Marvin Harvey (Chairman and Founder of Harvey’s Shooters Touch Academy and former Coach of the WNBA Houston Comets, YeRushia Brown (WNBA veteran and former Furman University basketball standout) and Carl Mattei (Head Coach, Regis Jesuit High, Aurora Colorado).
Furthermore, inspired by last year’s visit, Carl Mattei initiated a phenomenal drive in the United States that ensured the collection of more than 1000 pairs of basketball shoes which will be donated to basketball clubs in the Kwa-Zulu Natal region during this year’s Tour. These will be handed over to KZN Basketball Association at an official ceremony that will take place on the final day of the seminar.
“We are all excited about Coach Carl Mattei’s Shoe Drive in his home town and look forward to the distribution of the shoes to the participating coaches and the youth in the local areas”, Joyce Jenkins enthusiastically proclaimed.
Key important dates of the US Coaches Tour:
26 September – Game Day and opportunity for one on one interviews
29 September – Media Lunch for an opportunity for one-on-one interviews
30 September – Game Day and Shoe Handover
Information provided by Jehan Solomons and edited by Victor Shakineza
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