Friday 21st August saw the culmination of the 4th Annual Joe Farroba Basketball Camp at the JC Recreational Centre. Over 65 youth, aged between 7 and 19 years, came from east to west, to enjoy a week of instruction and fun with their peers. This year Coach Farroba, Head Coach at Bridgewater State University, was ably assisted by 10 coaches: Coach Don Byron – head coach at Oliver Ames High School, Dave Barrett, Mike Byron, Kevin Barrett and Jack Barrett from the US; and Coach Ian “Tucker” Connor, Delano Mussington, Cuthbert Jackson, Randy Webster and Lisimba Price, from Anguilla. All of the coaches have experience with training youth of varying ages in the game, and the mix of visiting and local coaches provided exposure to different techniques.
The influx of new coaches brought the ratio of youth to coaches to 7:1, and with 6 basketball rims set up, everyone got a lot of individual, practical instruction on various drills, shooting techniques and ball handling. The camp was described as very organised, disciplined and informative, with Coach Farroba everyday emphasising to the youth how important ATTITUDE and EFFORT are. At the end of the camp during a brief closing session, the youth heard remarks from the Permanent Secretary for Education, Library Services, Sports, Youth and Culture – Mrs. Chanelle Petty Barrett, Mr. Delano Mussington – Programmes Manager, Department of Sports and Coach Farroba. In his remarks, Coach Farroba told the participants some day they may become an Olympian or college basketball player and by giving back and contributing to the welfare of the Island, they will inspire other people. Mr. Rashaun Jackson thanked the coaches on behalf of the youth. Everyone who attended for the whole week received a t-shirt, certificate of participation and a basketball – which were donated this year.
This camp was a collaboration among Coach Joe Farroba, the Department of Sports and the JC Recreational Centre. Sincere thanks to the US coaches who paid their fares to come to Anguilla, and to all of the coaches who donated their time for the week because of their passion for the game. This camp could not have been a success without their dedication and commitment, and without the support of the following sponsors who provided accommodation, transportation and meals for the visiting coaches during their stay and support services during the camp:
The Government of Anguilla – Department of Sports, PS Chanelle Petty Barrett, Coach Joe Farroba, Splash Villa, Andy’s Car Rental, Mr. Mark Silva, Mr. Ben Perez, Straw Hat Restaurant, Veya Restaurant, Rawlee’s Food Van, E’s Oven Restaurant, Mr. Scott Hauser – proprietor of Sotheby’s International, Ms. Violet Gumbs, Jewel Art, Mr. Louis Price and the JC Recreational Centre. Mr. Peter Parles of Straw Hat Restaurant said, “Straw Hat is always happy to participate and contribute to those who come and share their time and talents with the youth of Anguilla. We are proud to participate in any way possible.”
To learn more about the Annual Joe Farroba Basketball Camp and how you can be a sponsor, please contact the JC Recreational Centre at jcrecreationalcentre@gmail.com or check the website at: www.jcrecreatonalcentre.org. For more information on continuing basketball activities contact the Department of Sports at 497 5214.
Contributed by the JC Recreational Centre
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
