The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

AS they approach another milestone, the 30th edition of the Jeff Rodgers Summer Basketball camp got underway yesterday and organisers expect it to be another landmark event.

This year's camp will operate from the courts on the outside of the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium due to scheduling conflicts, but Rodgers said it is shaping up to be just as exciting as it has been in the past with a number of international stars expected to participate throughout the weeks of activities.

"We are excited and thank God for allowing us to reach this milestone. I'm already excited about it, the kids from the first day have been excited. Despite the change in dates we have been able to move on," he said. "Normally the camp starts the last week in June but because of a busy schedule with the facilities we had to adjust. But now that we have started, we've started with a bang, Everything is in place, we have a loyal group of instructors and parents so, so far so good."

The camp is designed for boys and girls aged 5-18 and will be conducted from 9am to 1pm, Monday through Friday and concludes on August 10.

"We have a list of special events scheduled for the kids. Away from basketball we will take them on a field trip, we have other treats for them and then of course the last week with fun night and the weekend. We just want to keep the focus on the kids, once we can teach them the skills about life and follow it up about basketball we can have a good camp," Rodgers said.

Since 1987 Rodgers has staged the camp which provides an opportunity for the young children to engage in some wholesome sporting activities during the summer months. At the same time, they get to develop their skills.

A number of the instructors got their start in the camp as participants. But Rodgers said they went on to develop their skills and they have returned to lend their expertise to the younger players who are following in their footsteps.

This year some of the camp instructors will include Leo Morris, current Niagara college standout Van Hutchinson Jr, Quentin Demeritte, and women's national team member, fresh off her appearance at the Centrobasket tournament in USVI, Phylicia Kelly.

"The message for the camp is building healthy bodies with a positive mind because the one thing I know is that basketball will only carry you so far in life but you have to understand that you have to balance it," Rodgers said.

"Yes you are going to learn the fundamentals but you have to be respectful, do your school work, Christian values, some simple basic things that we know will take them through life. These things carry over on the court and off the court so these values are very important to us."