MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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Shooting star makes wish come true for Kaipara kidsA bunch of local young basketball players had a once-in-a-life-time chance to dribble, dunk and alley-oop with one of the country’s top international sports stars, an opportunity which was only available to 1000 children nationwide.
Twenty lucky 8-17-year-olds from Kaipara were selected to attend the Steven Adams Basketball Camp on August 24 at Kensington Stadium, Whangarei, sharing the court with the star who worked and played with the aspiring basketballers on their technique and ball handling. Three coaches from Kaipara Basketball Association (KBA) – Ray Huriwaka, Kalem Tana and Blake Worsfold – accompanied the young players to the event, which was set up in conjunction with Northland Basketball and the Cameron Basketball Academy, a big supporter of Kaipara basketball. KBA chair Blake Worsfold says the camp was a ‘huge success’. “The kids were super excited to meet the big man and he responded by sending a few of their layups into the stands,” he says. “Steven interacted with the kids like a pro and they gravitated towards him like a magnet.” Sponsored by Meadow Fresh, the nationwide camps this year were held in Invercargill, Napier and Whangarei, and are designed to encourage children’s participation and enjoyment of the sport as well as to be inspired by one of NZ’s great sporting athletes. Participants also receive a goodie bag containing a t-shirt, poster, Meadow Fresh products and of course, a basketball. The sport is growing rapidly in Northland Worsfold says. “The need for new basketball facilities in Whangarei and the wider Northland area is urgent, to deal with growing numbers and to provide the opportunities our tamariki deserve.” With only 300 tickets available for all of Northland, Worsfold extends a big thank you to Cameron Basketball Academy and Northland Basketball ‘for making this happen’. “KBA were lucky to be allocated 20 tickets to the event,” he says. “All the kids left tired but with big smiles on their faces, having learnt a lot from the coaching and meeting one of New Zealand’s biggest sporting stars.” Some of the lucky young Kaipara Basketball Association basketballers and coaches Kalem Tana [left] and Blake Worsfold, who got to play ball with international NZ legend Steve Adams. Absent, Ray Huriwaka. PHOTO/SUPPLIED |
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