BC Hydro Power of Sport First Nations Project makes a visit to Musqueam community
Local youth and coaches take part in two-day basketball clinic
For Immediate Release:
Monday, November 8, 2010
Richmond, BC- The BC Hydro Power of Sport First Nations project wrapped up a brief stop in the Musqueam community on Saturday, November 6, 2010, after two days of basketball clinics aimed at increasing sport participation and infrastructure for the Musqueam band.
The event focused on building sport skills for youth, and training and certifying local coaches. Experts from Basketball BC organized and delivered the clinics to 20 athletes and 14 coaches from the Musqueam community and will return in the coming year to hold follow-up skills camps in an effort to develop the infrastructure for continued sport participation in the community.
BC Hydro’s Power Smart team was on hand to lead participants through warm-up drills, including an obstacle course that emphasized the importance of saving energy and being green. Prior to the clinic, the Power Smart Team was presented with a traditional blanket by the Musqueam as a welcome gift and a symbol of their gratitude for bringing the project to the community.
“This weekend’s Basketball BC clinic with the Musqueam First Nations was an excellent start in establishing a Steve Nash Youth Basketball program in the community. With a base of 14 newly trained and enthusiastic coaches, we will continue to assist as they set up a regular and fun program for their youth,” said Lawrie John, Executive Director of Basketball BC. “The addition of the BC Hydro Power Smart Team contributed different activities for the young participants while sharing an important message. We look forward to continuing to expand our First Nations initiatives in partnership with Sport BC and BC Hydro.”
“Initiatives like the BC Hydro Power of Sport First Nations Project are crucial in bringing the positive benefits of sport to communities that may not otherwise have the capacity,” said Tim Gayda, President and CEO of Sport BC. “As a driver for sport participation in BC, Sport BC continues to work with our Provincial Sport Organizations to create new and accessible opportunities for sport across the province that lay the foundation for a life of healthy living.”
This clinic continues the success of Sport BC’s Power of Sport Tour, which brings sport clinics to aboriginal communities across BC, including the Lil’wat Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Heiltsuk Nation, and the urban aboriginal population in Vancouver’s downtown eastside.
About Basketball BC
Basketball BC is a Provincial Sport Organization providing programs and services to athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers throughout the province. With an elected Board of Directors and over 12,000 members, Basketball BC provides programs including Steve Nash Youth Basketball, Provincial team selection and competitive opportunities leading to Nationals, NCCP coaching courses and general support to basketball throughout BC. Basketball BC is has a staff 0f 4.5 FTE and is a member of Canada Basketball and Sport BC.
About BC Hydro:
BC Hydro is a commercial Crown corporation owned by the Province of British Columbia and is one of North America’s leading providers of clean, renewable energy. As the largest electric utility in British Columbia and the third largest in Canada, BC Hydro serves approximately 95 per cent of British Columbia’s population and 1.8 million customers. BC Hydro provides clean energy solutions to its customers by balancing British Columbians’ energy needs today with respect for the environment and future generations to come.
About Sport BC:
Sport BC believes everyone is an athlete – whatever their sport, whatever their level. Our passion for sport is a passion for building strong, healthy communities by giving everyone in BC the opportunity to be the athletes they are. We are the engine driving amateur sport in BC, inspiring participation and supporting its activation through the 64 Provincial Sport Organizations who bring sport to life in BC. For more information, please visit sportbc.com.
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For more information, please contact:
Jessica Doherty
Coordinator, Marketing & Communications
Sport BC
E: jessica.doherty@sportbc.com
T: 604.333.3422
