THE JrNBA/JrWNBA Presented by Alaska, already the biggest grassroots basketball development program in the country, continues to grow.
The tip-off last weekend at the Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati set a new record in attendance with 281 coaches from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao attending the coaches clinic while the open clinics trained 1,068 youngsters from ages 5-16.
“These holistic programs train children to be confident, disciplined and hardworking because Alaska Milk Corporation aims to prepare them to be winners in life in the future. Moreover, this year’s program includes new locations such as Batangas, Catanduanes and Cavite to reach more children and coaches and discover unique talents across the country,” said Alaska Marketing Director Blen Fernando.
JrNBA/JrWNBA Presented by Alaska runs Jan. 23 to April 24. It will not only teach youngsters basketball fundamentals but more importantly impart its core values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, positive Attitude and Respect.
Best of all the program is free and open to boys and girls between the ages of 10-14.
The program is part of the National Basketball Association’s thrust to teach basketball worldwide and provide opportunities for those who want to pursue the sport as a vocation.
“The JrNBA Philippines is the league’s longest-running youth basketball program outside the United States. The program continues to positively impact the lives of children, parents, and coaches, and reinforces the positive values that go beyond the four corners of the court. Together with Alaska, we are committed to providing world-class basketball instruction to more communities to further our mission of encouraging an active lifestyle among Filipino youth,” said NBA Philippines Managing Director Carlo Singson.
The program consists of four stages: skills clinics in schools and communities, Regional Selection Camps, a National Training Camp and an NBA experience trip.
The skills clinics will be held nationwide from January through April with stops in Bukidnon, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Dagupan, Davao, Iloilo, Metro Manila and Puerto Princesa, and first-time locations in Batangas, Catanduanes and Cavite.
The Regional Selection Camps will be held in Baguio (Feb. 20-21), Davao (Feb. 27-28), Cebu (March 5-6) and Metro Manila (April 9-10). The top 50 boys and 24 girls from the Regional Selection Camps will advance to the National Training Camp in Manila April 22-24.
In addition to the player camps and clinics, there will be a search for the 2016 JrNBA and JrWNBA Coach of the Year.