Thompson girls with hoop dreams will have a new basketball league where they can hone their skills starting this October.
Girls in Grades 3 to 12 will have the chance to represent Thompson across the province as part of the new Junior Bison basketball club teams beginning in October, says basketball coach Kristin Donovan, one of the organizers of the league along with Chris Pelchat.
"The girls will receive two hours a week of quality practise and play time with community coaches who have played and coached in our community as well as trained with University of Manitoba coaching staff," said Donovan, who promoted the new league with an exhibit at Thompson's health and leisure mart Sept. 11-12. "This season we will not only develop basketball skills, but teamwork, leadership, responsibility and respect for oneself and others."
The league will provide female basketball players with the competitive program that has been lacking in Thompson outside of R.D. Parker Collegiate's school teams, and provide positive female role models who are past RDPC athletes.
Players will have the chance to travel and compete in the spring at the University of Manitoba and improve their chances of earning scholarships or spots on university or college basketball teams, said Donovan.
The team also has the opportunity to compete in a basketball weekend in Winnipeg Oct. 23-25.
"Our participation will depend on transportation and cost," said Donovan, who plans to discuss the issue with coaches, players and parents at a meeting in the first week of October, where they will also discuss practice, clothing, footwear and possible parent volunteers.
"Our staff and volunteers are committed to helping the girls' basketball experience to be a positive one and encourage parents to be involved with practices or share input with us as to how their child is enjoying the program," said Donovan. "We are also looking for people interested in coaching or refereeing."
For more information about the league or to volunteer, contact Kristin Donovan at 679-2984.
