The third QSTA United Skills Camp: a bouncing success

After the Christmas and Spring editions of the United Basketball Skills Camp, the Autumn edition was held on Wednesday 18 October 2023. Once again, all participating kids were welcomed at Sportcentrum de Kooi in Bemmel. From 09:30, 50 children aged 9 to 17, boys and girls, stood waiting eagerly to begin a long day full of basketball.

First there was time to check in and collect a camp shirt, then it was off to the training courts where the various coaches were ready to get started. In between, the kids also had a moment to watch the Yoast United men train, picking up some extra inspiration along the way.

The participants were welcomed on the basketball courts, where QSTA United women’s head coach Mark Hooiveld greeted all the kids and gave them their first instructions. “It’s going to be a long but instructive day in which we’ll work together on improving your individual skills. Do your very best and follow your coaches’ instructions as well as you can. It’ll be hard work, but above all, enjoy it!”

Between all the basketball drills and matches, the boys and girls had plenty of room to rest, grab a healthy snack, refuel during the extensive lunch, and also catch some of the senior men’s training — which prompted one of the participants to remark, “in five years I’ll be on that court too!”

Coach Mark was assisted in the training sessions by experienced coaches, women and men, from the United Academy youth teams. Between their own training sessions, the coaches were assisted by (professional) Yoast United players, who gave the young players an inspiring rundown of all kinds of tips and tricks to improve their own personal skills.

With plenty of enjoyment and full effort, the whole day was spent bouncing, passing, playing together, rebounding, defending and shooting. There was also room for various contests — who can make the most shots, who’s fastest with their dribble, shot or pass — and at the end of the day there was time for a small 3-on-3 tournament with teams grouped by age. All the drills and mini-matches were played on 5 different hoops on the training courts and in the beautiful arena where the top teams play their matches.

Eventually the Skills Camp wrapped up together just before 5 o’clock with compliments from all the coaches to the kids, who then headed home tired but satisfied. Onward to the next edition of the Skills Camp during the upcoming Christmas holidays.

Looking back at the QSTA United Skills Camp Autumn edition, a few facts and figures:

• 50 participants (6 girls)
• 20 different clubs from all over the country
• 6 coaches and 3 volunteers
• 10 Yoast United players
• 1 real DJ with inspiring musical accompaniment
• 2 first-aiders
• 3 basketball courts, 50 basketballs, 5 hoops
• 150 sandwiches, 50 currant buns and 50 snacks
• bananas, apples, mandarins, desserts
• 50 energy drinks
• countless shots, made and missed, passes, dribbles
• full effort, energy and the necessary compliments and encouragement
• and above all, an enormous amount of fun