Hoops bounce back to Strathmore

Posted on: Staff Writer

 

Aryssah Stankevitsch  

Times Reporter 
 
Due to lack of gym space, 55 children this past year took part in #1 Hoops Basketball’s non-profit program in Langdon. For its fourth year, the program will come back to Strathmore in March 2014 at Crowther Memorial.
Split into two groups (kindergarten to Grade 3, and Grade 4 to Grade 7) parents and kids travel from as far as Chestermere and Calgary to take part in Shantelle Gieck’s program.
“I’ve loved basketball; I’ve played since Grade 4,” Gieck said. “I just feel that lots of kids these days, with the coaches, if you’re not good enough, you don’t get to play. I just think that even if you’re terrible at basketball, who cares? You should be able to play.”
Some students have been involved in the program since it was created three years ago; this year, the Kindergarten to Grade 3 group was full. During their 1.5 hour sessions, kids stretch, condition by running laps, and complete shooting drills.
“I treat it just like it’s a real practice, like they’re a team,” she said. “I’m big on respect. I played for St Mary’s University in Calgary and a lot of club teams, so I always make sure they respect their coaches and their teammates. That’s a big thing I push. Whenever we’re done our games, we shake hands with the coaches, and whoever refs. They do really well.”
Gieck has noticed that many of her kids who started in Grade 4, now in Grade 7, are making teams and improving with great attitudes. She finds it refreshing to see the kids getting excited about basketball, and making new teammate friends.
“Coaches always look at just the scoring of the points, and I don’t like that,” Gieck said. “It’s a team sport, right? So everyone has their part – that’s one of my biggest things too.”
Gieck has five adult volunteer coaches per session – including her – who all have a basketball background. There are 30 spots in each age group, with registration open at REVS in the fall. The cost for #1 Hoops is $95.85, which covers insurance, a basketball, a jersey and a water bottle.