With the goal of getting kids active and involved, a small group of dedicated individuals with a passion for sports has started an afterschool basketball program for students ages 11 to 18 at Suwilaawks Community School.
Fred (Sebbie) Wilson, coach and organizer of the program, along with a small, yet committed, group of parents wish to keep basketball active for all youths in Terrace.
The goals are simple: to have fun, learn the game, practise sportsmanship, and develop habits to promote healthy and successful living.
The target ages of participation are 11 to 18, but there may be room to expand to offer this active enterprise to all ages.
Practices are underway to develop and enhance skills for basketball and a house league is being established.
Many of the youths come from diverse First Nations
within our region: Tsimshian, Haisla, Nisga’a, Gitxsan, Tahltan, Métis, along with non-aboriginals as all young people are encouraged to participate and be active.
Both girls and boys teams, nicknamed Wolverines, participated in last spring’s Junior All Native Tournament hosted by the Nisga’a Nation with both teams experiencing the rigours and excitement of basketball at a competitive level.
The 2014 season is well underway and the tournament teams plan on attending the Junior All Native tournament held this year in Kamloops during school spring break.
Parents and players are urged to come out and give some much needed encouragement and support to fundraising efforts to assist in the existence of the group and to aid the participation of the spring break tournament.
Practices are Monday and Wednesday at the Suwilaawks Community School gym: girls at 4:30 p.m. and boys at 5:30 p.m., and Fridays at Skeena Middle School gym: girls at 5:30 p.m. and boys at 7 p.m.
New participants are always welcome.
The Ministry of Education Afterschool School Sports Initiative, JUMPSTART community support, TDCSS, Suwilaawks Community School and Spectra Energy have all teamed up to establish practice facilities, uniforms, and equipment to ensure our youths are actively involved in sports.