Andrew Coakley

FN Sports Editor

The Charlie "Softly" Robins camp may be for one week only, but while some may see that as a bad thing, for coach Ivan Butler, it's a good thing.

Why?

Simply because the Ivan Butler Summer basketball Camp gets under way right after "Softly's" camp ends this weekend. Butler's camp will begin on Monday, June 26 at the Jack Hayward gymnasium.

And the good thing is the kids who currently attend "Softly's" camp at the gym will not have to change locations.

"Last year, we had a number of kids at the camp, but I believe that we will have even more kids because 'Softly' camp is only for one week, instead of two weeks," said Butler.

"So, that means the kids can just continue coming to the Jack Hayward gym, it's just that it will be my camp going on instead."

Butler's Summer Basketball camp will run from June 26-July 7, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will cater to kids between the ages of seven to 17.

Butler said his summer camp, like others, will be to teach kids the fundamentals of the sport of basketball. but it will be more than just basketball.

"The camp runs like this, each morning we have a motivational talk with the kids, where we talk about what is good and what is bad, stuff like that, then we exercise, go into skill development and then we divide kids into teams and end the day by playing several games, so that the kids can get a chance to put into practice what they learned that day," explained coach Butler.

This year, Butler said that three coaches from the United States will be a part of the camp.

The coaches, all from King's College in Bristol, Tennessee, are all female coaches and will specifically work with the girls of the camp. However, coach Butler said that the coaches will also work with the male participants of the camp.

The U.S. coaches will be Michelle Williams, Jane Pester and Renee Skwen.

"We would like all of the girls to come out to this camp, because this will be their opportunity to get hands on experience with top-notch college coaches, whose job is to help young girls play basketball at the college level," said coach Butler.

"We would like to see our girls' league improve, so if as many girls as possible can come out, then I think that will go a long way in helping to improve our girls' basketball league."

Butler said that because there is a lack of sponsorship for this year's camp, there will be a $20 registration fee for each participant in the camp.

"We're looking for a great camp this year and with more kids expected to be a part of it, that will make it even more exciting," said coach Butler.

"We would like to let parents know that we have qualified instructors at the camp and that because we're hosting it in the gym, there is a level of safety."

Awards and trophies will be presented to the Most Improved and Most Outstanding players.

HEALTHY SPONSOR – Shuffel Hepburn, owner of Subway stores in Grand Bahama presents a cheque to Charlie "Softly" Robins in sponsorship of the Charlie Robins Basketball Camp, which began on Monday. Hepburn has been sponsoring the camp for the past three years. On hand for the presentation was Shamond Darling, Yasmine Gardiner, Juan Hamilton and Stephen Burrows.

THIRD PLACE WINNERS – The Lady Bearcats out of Orlando, Florida battled the Wildcats from Grand Bahama to win the third place trophy in the senior girls' division of the Sixth annual Grand Bahama Summer Basketball Jam, held at the St. Georges gym on Thursday afternoon. The Bearcats defeated the Wildcats 54-42 to win the third place crown.

GB GIRLS – The combined team of Grand Bahama senior girls finished in fourth place at the Sixth annual GB Summer Basketball Jam, hosted by the Falcons' Boys Club and held at the St. Georges' gym. Making the presentation was Charlie "Softly" Robins (right), of the Grand Bahama Ministry of Tourism Sports Development Division and Darrin Rolle (left) organiser of the Tournament.

TAKING THE WEIGHT OFF – The YMCA, although still in it's rebuilding stage, did not hesitate to do what it does best, lend a helping hand. The YMCA has agreed to provide some of its weightlifting equipment for athletes to use in their warm up at this Saturday's Grand Bahama Bodybuilding competition, which is set to take place at the Hilton Outten Convention Centre. The equipment is important for athletes as they prepare to take to the stage in their various divisions. Baldwin Darling, president of the Grand Bahama Bodybuilding Association said he's thankful to the YMCA for coming to their aid and he's looking forward to giving back to the YMCA in the future. Tickets for Saturday's show can be purchased at Olympic Fitness, Total Body Fitness and Exclusive Cuts Beauty Salon. Above, showing off some of the equipment are (from left) Maxwell Curry, Baldwin Darling, Karon Pinder-Johnson, Executive Director of the YMCA and Philip "Lucas" Sturrup.(Sports photo by Andrew Coakley)