AS the curtains are about to come down on sporting activities for 2017, including those organized by the Saint Lucia Basketball Federation (SLBF) as they look to conclude an exciting and productive year with the eye-catching 3×3 youth qualifiers set for December 17 and Saint Lucia’s participation at next year FIBA Ameri-Cup in Paramaribo, Surname.
According to the SLBF, there are a number of initiatives left on its calendar of events. SLBF president, Leslie Collymore, spoke about what’s taking place now, as well as upcoming initiatives.
“Over the last few weeks, on every Monday and Wednesday, the SLBF has held national senior male team selection workouts,” he said. “This initiative is one that has been long overdue and so we are happy to be at this point. There was a talent assessment held in 2016, subsequent to which the SLBF technical committee and the SLBF executive invited at least 60 players islandwide to attend national training.”
He added: “The team will be broken down over the next few months and subsequently this team will represent Saint Lucia in the 2021 FIBA Ameri-Cup Prequalifying Tournament (formerly known as CBC Championships) in June 2018 in Suriname.”
This will be a first for Saint Lucia and SLBF are extremely excited about the progress thus far.
In the class room, it’s the final day of SLBF Developmental Workshop with the theme “Capacity Building” in collaboration with the Department of Youth Development and Sports. The workshop is geared towards the affiliates of the SLBF.
According to Collymore, SLBF has come to realize that there are some requisite skills and systems lacking for effective functioning affiliates and there is a need for training and sensitisation for those charged with this mandate to execute their duties as affiliates.
The objectives are: (1) To assist participants in developing requisite leadership and administrative skills, (2)To assist in the development and growth of the game of basketball on the island.
This workshop, currently taking place at the conference room of the Department of Youth Development and Sports, focuses on the following topics (1) Roles and Responsibilities of Executive Members, (2) Sustaining an Organization, (3), Proposal Writing, (4), Financial Management, and (5) Public Relations.
“This workshop is geared to enable these bodies to explore and to reach their full potential and that at the end of this workshop, it is anticipated that a new level of professionalism will be maintained moving forward,” Collymore said.
Meanwhile, after the successful national youth 3×3 qualifiers in 2016 and hosting of the inaugural IBF Lesser Antilles Finals in February 2017 at the Vigie Multipurpose Sports Complex, it is now time to host the annual 3×3 youth national qualifiers.
The SLFA President said, “The winners of the qualifiers (male/female) will be automatically selected to participate in the IBF Lesser Antilles 3×3 Finals in 2018. This tournament was scheduled to take place in Sint Martin between May and July, 2018. However, due to the damage sustained during the recently-concluded hurricane season, the location is currently being reviewed by the International Basketball Foundation (IBF) and as such may be changed, as well as the date.”
Nonetheless, the SLBF will be hosting the Youth 3×3 Finals as part of National Day celebrations on Sunday, December 17. This event will be a fun day as well as a fundraising activity.
The 3×3 Youth Qualifiers will be for both male and female players (born 2000, 2001, 2002 etc). The SLBF anticipates having at least 4 female teams and 10 or more male teams competing.