YBL Girls Clinic - A great success!

On Saturday 3rd of September, the 2nd YBL girls clinic of the 2011 took place at Napsa sports complex. There was a good turnout of girls with17 participants from 5 different teams (Jamlek, Hurricanes, Spartans, Magic and Bull-Dogs). Guest coaches Florence Glen and Ella Hewton led the clinic with help from local coaches Mwape Konsolo, William Sikapanda, Levi Chikoti, Nelson Sibanda, Alinafe Mwali, Ricky Mwanza and Bright Lengwe. The purpose of these player-based clinics is to improve the fundamental skills of the girls, share basketball knowledge and experience with the girls, and most importantly for the girls to enjoy learning from the coaches and from each other.

The clinic lasted just over two hours and important parts of basketball were covered such as: shooting, footwork, communication, dribbling and defending. Everyone was a bit nervous at the start of the session, overwhelmed by all the different coaches around them, but by the end of the morning everyone was at ease and the improvements were already noticeable.

One of the major challenges the YBL faces is the lack of girls participating. It is hoped that events such as these clinics will help boost the girls’ confidence and empower them, as well as encouraging more girls to get involved with sport.
It was a great day for Zambian basketball; one from which everyone benefitted, both coaches and players. YBL looks forward to our next coaching which will be in October.

Week 2! Getting used to the Zambian way of life, friendly matches and birthday celebrations!

Week two for group three saw the students begin their placements, getting used to the various bus routes and places to eat lunch- if they got a chance-! The weather has definitely been getting hotter which has meant lots of sun cream and water and unfortunately a fair share of sickness bugs!

After getting to know their teams, a few of the students organised some friendly matches between the different placements on Friday. Fountain of Hope challenged Chawama in under 12, under 14 football and under 12 basketball. There was not much to choose between the two teams, which could clearly be seen in the under 12 football match that ended 1-1. Chawama then took the under 14 football whilst fountain the under 12 basketball.

Elsewhere Munali girl’s netball and boy’s football took on Kalingalinga teams- who had an enjoyable walk to the event working on their team chant with support of their new coach Lucy. A younger Munali boys team were thrilled with only a 1-0 loss against k-town and the k-town girls also enjoyed their match despite a loss against a strong Munali girls team.

The past week also the saw the first of three birthdays of students in the group- a lot considering there are only ten! Flo Glen turned 19 on Wednesday, the group had a BBQ and watched a film to celebrate whilst she chewed through here 50p fruit slab present! Today Olivia Howard turns 22 and the group are going for their first meal out of the house to celebrate and the end of next week Lucy Bell turns the big 2-1! Happy Birthday girls!!

This week, the schools are back and so not only are the students coaching, they are now teaching in the classrooms about HIV and AIDS. It is set to be a busy week ending with a Zambian themed evening on Friday…watch this space!