Team DenJoes/St Marys National League Ladies decided to come together before their busy season dawns and hold a Basketball Camp for the local children.
“This was a huge sucess overall. In the mornings we had 20 five-to-eight year olds who leaned the basics of the game plus lots of fun games. At the end of the camp they got t-shirts, camp medals, stickers and sweets,” said team manager, Bríd Kenny.
“In the evening section we had 55 children who were really put through their paces over the three days. Lots of new drills in defence and skills were introduced plus lots of fun and games. Again there was a camp t-shirt for all the children.
“The groups were split into four- 9-12 boys, 9-12 girls, 13-15 boys and 13-15 girls and they had a free throw competition with Aine Murphy and Pat Brosnan winning the 9-12 group and Colin Kerins and Marta Colas winning the 13-15 group. The Ladies also gave out four awards for the best Camper of the week. P.J Curtin and Paris McCarthy getting the older groups awards and Patrick O’Shea and Tara Kerin getting the younger group awards.
“The highlight of the senior camp was when the coaches took on the campers. This was a tense game to start as the youngsters were getting off some great shots and steals from the coaches and in the end all of the 55 children got a chance to play against the coaches with the Campers winning.
“The camp provided a fantastic opportunity for both the ladies and the children. One to share the other to gain and all for the good of the club in the long term. The children were delighted to get the opportunity to work and learn from National League Ladies as they look up to them and come to watch them play during the season.
“On behalf of St Mary’s we would like to thank all the children who came to the camp. They were fantastic and a credit to their parents. The club also wishes to thank Cormac O Donoghue and the National League Ladies for runnig a great camp,” said Ms. Kenny in conclusion.
