LAUNCH EDUSPORTSAB AND A HIGH PROFILE BASKETBALL CAMP IN JUNE Tuesday 5th June 2012
The Office of the Minister of State with responsibility for Sports will be launching EduSportsAB on June 19, 2012. The initiative will focus on exploring and managing opportunities for Antiguan and Barbudan student-athletes wishing to pursue a sporting career and quality educational experience at the same time.
EduSportsAB has been formulated based on the successes of the Van Coleman's FutureStars & YOUR World Youth Initiative which was managed by the then Director, Community Sports and Games, Mr. Fitzroy Brann, during the period 1996 - 2003. Through that programme over forty (40) US College Scholarships were awarded to Antiguan and Barbudan athletes.
One of the many success stories from this programme is that of Antiguan and Barbudan Kurt Looby, who is now a professional basketball player with EnBW Ludwigsburg of the Germany BBL league having also played professionally in the US Collegiate and NBA Development League among others.
EduSportsAB is consistent with Governments policy, which calls for a collaborative effort between sports associations and the Department of Sports, to identify high performing athletes in various disciplines with the view to providing them with opportunities to pursue both their sporting and academic goals.The initiative, which will be managed by the Special Projects Unit, will serve as the Sports Ministry’s Official Portal for Student Athletes who wish to access a range of opportunities to include personal development, scholarships and specialized technical training.
The programme will be officially launched by the Minister of State with responsibility for Sports, Sen. Hon Winston Williams Jr., on June 19, 2012 at the JSC Sports Complex. Simultaneously, the first EduSportsAB technical/scouting event will be launched with the opening of a week long Basketball Coaches/Athletes Camp. The Camp will feature at least six (6) high profile Scouts and College Coaches from the USA including Jim Anderson and Van Coleman.
Registration of interested male and female basket ballers from the primary, secondary and college levels will begin on Monday June 4, 2012 at the Department of Sports. Provision has been made for 75 Under 13 athletes and 150, 16 - 24 year old athletes.
The Ministry of Sports is hosting the inaugural EduSportsAB Camp in partnership with the Antigua and Barbuda Basketball Association and Corporate entities including Sportscene, Blackout Cultural Park. Sportsscene has been able to attract technical assistance from six(6) US Coaches/Scouts who will be involved in the Camp.
The Department of Sports commends the efforts of Mr. Fitzroy Brann of Sportscene, but is also making a special plea to other corporate citizens to support this venture which will require significant support in the form of equipment, refreshments and support for accommodations for the coaches and scouts. Investment in our youth is investment in our future.
Individuals or corporate entities interested in sponsoring this event should contact Mr. Mervyn Richards, Director of Sports at 562 1682 or the Coordinator of Planning and Project Management at 562 6227. Emails may be sent to oms.abgov@gmail.com
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