Barrhead Composite’s three gyms were filled with bouncing basketballs and 75 energetic youth last week, when Hoopnics basketball camp returned for another year
Back again was coach Chris Nicol, always happy to lead the camp with positivity and enthusiasm, throwing in a life lesson here and there. Nicol’s talented 21-year-old son Josh, who has helped with instructing since he was in Grade 8, also returned.
The week was a busy one, squeezing almost two months of practice into a five day period for the students eager to learn and play the game they love. The youngest group played 10 hours, the middle group 16, and seniors played a whopping 20 hours of basketball.
Nicol said the camp has always had three main objectives, which are announced to the students every day to remind them of their goals.
The number one goal? Have fun, because sports are supposed to be fun. The second is to be coachable.
“When they come to camp it is fun but we also want them to get better, so they have to be open to new ideas,” said Nicol. “Obviously the little guys and the medium guys are, but sometimes the high school kids have been told one way, and we want to show them there’s other ways.”
The third goal is to be a good teammate. Part of that, said Nicol, is helping to support everyone. The players are encouraged to be a good teammate, and to be coachable, both on and off the basketball court.
“That means be a good student, listen to your teachers, listen to your mom and dad,” said Nicol. “The first homework assignment on Monday was to go home and say thank you to mom and dad, then do something like do the dishes or take out the trash.”
An interesting new addition to the camp this year was Jordan Teo, a Grande Prairie Regional College student and basketball player Nicol brought along to help coach. The 21-year-old comes to Alberta all the way from Brisbane, Australia.
The transition was a dramatic one, especially coming from 30 degree weather to Alberta’s -30 winter. But Teo didn’t seem to mind.
“It was a big change but I love it here,” said Teo. “Everyone is really nice in Canada.”
Never having an opportunity like this himself, Teo said helping to coach the group of basketball enthusiasts was a rewarding experience. Seeing the students have fun, always with a wide grin across their face, was the best part.
“I love it. To see the kids smile each day, to see them improving,” he said. “I’ve never done anything like this before in Australia, so to be here and kind of change peoples lives, it’s a good feeling.”
As for the kids he was coaching? They got along fantastically. Though he was teaching them drills and helping to improve their skills on the court, Teo said he tried to be a friend as well.
“We played jokes, played pranks, it was awesome,” he said. “Just trying to be more of a friend than a coach so they can get comfortable with me, and just be themselves around me.”
Students involved in the camp often come back as volunteers or coaches once they’re older. Robert Brotherton, now 20, participated in Hoopnics for six years as a student and another two as a coach.
“It was a big part of my life when I was a kid,” he said. “It’s good to give back.”
Brotherton, who likes to keep the hype and energy in the atmosphere, said he hopes the students take away the same knowledge and lessons he received while he was taking part. The biggest part for him, he said, wasn’t just the basketball.
“It teaches you sportsmanship, which you can take everywhere with you,” said Brotherton. “It’s a big lesson that they get, that it’s not just sports. It’s how you treat everyone; teammates, family, friends, even people that aren’t friends or family.”
It’s no secret the students got along well with each instructor. In fact, 14-year-old Taylor Schmidt said the coaches were the best thing about the camp. Though she missed the first two days, her remaining time was fun-filled.
“It’s been really good. The people here are awesome,” she said. “ I’ve learned a lot and I hope it’ll get me far. I’ve learned a lot about my shooting, to keep my elbow in and keep my feet planted.”
As the players soaked in knowledge, each worked on improving their game skills.
Addison Cornwell, who has already talked to his parents about returning next year, said he has heightened his shooting and crossover abilities. Jill Starman was having trouble with her layups, but can complete them much better now.
Josie Michaud enjoyed the energetic atmosphere, and said the shooting drills helped her improve her game and shot. Maddie Koberstein said she enjoyed how hard the coaches pushed her, and she found her ball handling is better than ever.
“If you got it good, the coaches still push you to do a bit better. Every day you come back you’re learning something different,” said Koberstein. “ I’ll definitely come back again. They’re super nice and always having a good time. It’s a really fun experience, and it’s more than just basketball.”
Jacob Williston can’t choose one specific part about the camp he likes the best, and described the experience as wonderful overall.
“I loved the entire thing. My ball handling has really improved, my shooting, basically my overall performance,” he said. “I’ll come back next year for sure. I wish I could come back every year. It’s just a great place.”
Despite rumours the camp may soon be coming to an end, Nicol said the week of basketball fun will be back next year.
“Every year we keep saying this might be our last year, and every year we keep coming back,” laughed Nicol. “But I think we’ll keep doing it for as long as they’ll have us, or as long as I can keep getting instructors out.”
