Digicel and the National Basketball Association (NBA), have joined in partnership to launch the Digicel NBA Jumpstart Basketball Clinics in the Caribbean. The Digicel NBA Jumpstart Clinics will offer aspiring young basketball players an opportunity of a lifetime to train under the tutelage of official NBA coaches. The basketball clinics were officially launched in the Caribbean on Aug. 24th and will continue through to Sept. 28th.
The Turks & Caicos are one of six countries that were selected to host a clinic, which will take place Sept. 13th – 15th at the Graceway Sports Centre in Providenciales. The clinics will be run by NBA coaches from the league’s International Basketball Operations, and focus on player development, as well as developing local coaching expertise. Hence, this clinic will bring together forty-two (42) local under 16 players and fifteen (15) local coaches.
Head of the Provo Amateur Basketball Association (PABA) and head of the Rising Stars Basketball Club, Mr. Sydwell Glasgow and Mr. Mervin Forbes respectively, said that they applauded Digicel and the NBA for such a “much needed” initiative to help our youth. They went on to express their excitement in being a part of such a special opportunity, where local coaches and players could benefit from NBA style training.
“We are extremely proud to be bringing the Digicel NBA Jumpstart Basketball Clinic to the Turks & Caicos Islands. Digicel is all about inspiring young athletes to follow their dreams, and this initiative further supports Digicel’s philosophy of grassroots sports programs,” said Trina Adams, Head of Marketing for Digicel in the TCI. “This is a tremendous opportunity for young Turks & Caicos Islanders to jumpstart their NBA dreams. We share the vision of the NBA to grow the sport in the region and to teach the values of a healthy and active lifestyle.”
As with Digicel’s successful football programme, the Digicel Kickstart Clinics, the best athletes in each country will be selected for the intensive “Elite Camp” programme Sept. 26-28 in Trinidad and Tobago. The top eight players from the Elite Camp, as determined by an NBA coach and legend, will have the opportunity to attend an NBA game in the U.S, tour an NBA arena and be put through their paces at an NBA facility.
The Elite Camp and camper trip to the U.S. to attend an NBA game will be shared with Digicel customers online, digitally and through mobile and will be broadcast on Digicel Sportsmax, which brings NBA fans closer to their favourite teams through its live coverage of the NBA season, which tips off Oct. 27.
In March, Digicel and the NBA announced a multiyear partnership that will deliver live games and extensive NBA programming to the Turks & Caicos and more than 29 other Caribbean territories through Digicel SportsMax and make Digicel the Official Wireless Partner of the NBA in the region. This partnership also allows Digicel customers to get in on the action through a number of promotions that will be launched across the Caribbean.
