The 12th annual Hoopnics Basketball Camp, organized by former Dunstable principal Lorna Hiemstra and run by coach Chris Nicol, has come back to the Barrhead area once again.
Hosting children and young adults from Dunstable, Busby, Westlock, Athabasca, Boyle, and even one individual from High Prairie, the event ran from July 4 – 7 and was held at both Barrhead Elementary and Barrhead Composite High School, and this time participants were treated to guest speaker Kerri Wiegand from Juice Plus+ who spoke about the importance of nutrition, rest and hydration.
“All of our coaches are top-shelf material,” Nicol said, adding the focus was on fundamental basketball skills and team play.
“To have this amazing opportunity, right in your own backyards, you need to know how lucky you are for that,” Wiegand said, adding that while Nicol and the other coaches taught the campers invaluable things about being great basketball players, nutrition, rest and hydration were equally important.
“It is not just basketball skills that win the game,” she said. “If a player is dragging their feet, they won’t score any baskets. The right fuel is important and I daresay your parents would agree. Good nutrition is vital, as are hydration and the proper amount of rest.”
As athletes, Wiegand said, it is important to take care of your body and to exercise.
“If you don’t, your performance will not be there. It’s not just about having shoes on your feet and shooting baskets. All of that is connected and its all important,” she added.
“We had about 20 kids in each age group, but I think there were some day-of sign-ups too,” Hiemstra said, adding it was a really good turn-out despite the lack of advanced notice in the paper.
“Usually your serious athletes are playing football or they are heading to the city for camps, like the University of Alberta, but you get the same quality right here with this camp. It’s a wonderful experience,” she added.
