The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

IN an effort to provide student athletes with an avenue for exposure and continue to hone their skills, International Basketball Academy tipped off a new venture with its Grassroots Basketball League.

The GYBL features a total of 15 teams across four different age groups (U11, U13, U15,U18) and is hosted Saturdays at the Prince Charles Park in Gleniston Gardens.

IBA Director and Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins head coach, Denycko Bowles, said the main beneficiaries of the league will be the youngest generation of prospective players.

“The Grassroots Youth Basketball League has been a vision of mine for years. It was geared towards allowing kids to get more instructional game play in a format where they can compete and learn the game simultaneously. When I look back at my brother who’s now in the 6th grade at Claridge Primary and how disadvantaged he was, I wanted to make a change more so for him and kids alike. At the primary school level, I feel they’re not getting the experience and exposure they really and truly need. It may be across the board, I don’t know but from a basketball standpoint, it’s behind,” he said.

“Compared to kids in the US and around the world their games are far greater merely because they’re getting that proper structure and experience real early. Taking this into consideration, we can see the impact this has been having once our players get to the junior and senior levels of their school careers and there’s an obvious domino effect.”

With school sports at a standstill, Bowles said the league provides an outlet for basketball players to maintain their skills until a return to normalcy can be found amid the COVID- 19 pandemic, particularly those seeking scholarship opportunities.

“Keeping our student athletes active during COVID is extremely important. When we look at the world and sports, we see they are rolling full steam ahead. If we want to continue to be able to compete, our activity level must be to a point where we give our kids the best possible opportunities to succeed. We are already disadvantaged in areas so I think every opportunity we can provide an outlet for our kids would be a bonus,” Bowles said.

“While we’re all aware of the pandemic and its ramifications, I feel that we can adjust and adapt with the world flow and the way sports is operating around us. I think it’s only right and it’s only fair. These kids have dreams, goals and aspirations so I feel we should not take this away nor handcuff them but create avenues to ensure success.

“The Bahamas is a sports nation. Sports have been good to many of us and our forefathers. Sports are a way of life for many and have saved lives in more ways than one. We must figure out a way to get back on track and to allow these kids to make their dreams a reality.”

The GYBL is a three-tier league that will run for three non-consecutive, 12-week periods during the year. The Spring Edition (Jan - April) opened last weekend and is set to be followed by the Summer Edition (April - July) and the Fall Edition (September- November).

“As with anything new, you tend to expect a steady increase but more so progression so I think that’s key. Of course as it stands, we as a country are still dealing with and figuring out ways to get our lives back to what we know as comfortable. Hence I expect the league to really and truly pick up within the next few months although it has really sparked a lot of interest now. Once parents are mainly comfortable then everything will be fine because the players are ready to go. There will be a definite increase and I’m excited for what is to come for IBA’s GYBL. Needless to say, I’m sure this growth will demand more assistance and volunteers alike and eventually more venues, who knows.

“Nonetheless, I’m truly grateful and thankful to God for not only giving me the vision but allowing it to come to fruition. IBA seeks to continue to build our country in and through the sport of basketball and I know that once God continues to lead, all things will be made possible. The sky certainly will be the limit for IBA Bahamas.”