25/08/2021
Oceania
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New Caledonia launch All-Star camp for youth standout players

NOUMEA (New Caledonia) - New Caledonia's AS6EME basketball club has opened another avenue for its future standouts with the launch of an All-Star Youth Basketball Camp for different age groups at the Cap de Poé in Bourail of the Southern Provine.

A total of 30 kids (16 boys, 14 girls) aged 8-12 years old took part in the camp that will now be an annual program in New Caledonia’s basketball calendar.

Though there have been similar grassroots programs held in temporary venues in the past, it’s the first time for New Caledonia to usher in an official and organized camp with complete lodging amenities and sporting facilities.

"We are very excited with this project we want to show how important it is to put the effort in at a young age in basketball to be successful," shared AS6EME manager Bridget Delaveuve said.

"The club puts a premium in the development of kids to promote basketball in the country," Delaveuve added, who is also the Secretary-General of the New Caledonia Basketball Federation.

For five days, the promising players bonded and established camaraderie and refined their skills and chemistry on and off the court.

Featured in the productive camp were playing organized basketball including 3x3 for a day while also having chess tournaments, hiking, tree planting, and kayaking in spare time.

Coaches and officials also engaged in workshops including officiating.

New Caledonia officials said its objective was to scout high potential players and start the kids’ development early in their career as preparation for their inheritance of national team keys down the road.

But there’s more to it than just mere games.

"We aim to create a family spirit for the kids. It’s satisfying to see that they enjoyed just that. They’re happy to be here and that’s the beauty of creating a family atmosphere," Delavueve said.

Last year, New Caledonia also held a camp for teens at 13-15 ages capped by a 3x3 tournament as the Federation braces for the return of international events.

New Caledonia placed identical sixth-place finishes in both the men’s and women’s divisions of the stacked FIBA U17 Oceania Championships, with improved eyed in both divisions.

FIBA