June 23, 2011

Men and women from the Durham Lords men’s and women’s varsity basketball teams recently gave elementary school students a chance to polish their basketball skills during the Hoops for Heart basketball clinic, which was held at the Oshawa campus in May.

The idea for the clinic began with the Heart and Stoke Foundation’s Hoops for Heart initiative, an in-school fundraising basketball program that encourages young students to get active by playing basketball and collecting donations for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The funds raised by the program support vital research that leads to breakthrough medical advances, social changes and increased access to important health information.

After donating tickets to the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) National Basketball Championship in March to be used as prizes for students who raised money for the foundation, Durham College was approached to help give back to the kids in a different way and the idea for the Hoops for Heart basketball clinic was born.

The clinic took place at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre at the Oshawa campus, giving students a chance to train with the Durham Lords in order to improve their skills and learn the basics of basketball.

“Our varsity athletes feel that it’s very important to get involved with the community and give back,” said Scott Dennis, sports information and marketing co-ordinator. “It’s a good chance to get our name out there to the elementary schools and help a good cause.”

The clinic gave the students a chance to complete drills at a number of different stations focused on defensive stance and positioning; dribbling; passing; and shooting accuracy. Following that, they put their newly acquired skills to good use during a game requiring them to combine all of the skills they learned.

In addition to receiving tickets to the 2011 CCAA National Basketball Championships, each student who participated in the clinic was given autographed pictures of the varsity athletes and a gym bag from the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association.

“The clinic means so much to the kids who participate because it helps them create goals for themselves,” said Tyson Eteli, a basketball player on the Lord’s men’s varsity team. “Even if they don’t become a basketball player, it teaches them ambition and hard work. The clinic is good community enrichment and it’s nice to see everyone coming together for the kids and for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.”