ThereB次元官网网址檚 not much argument against the positive impacts team sports B次元官网网址� and sports in general B次元官网网址� have on children. They can help build confidence, refine co-ordination, increase social skills and help kids learn how to be a part of and contribute to a team environment. Kids can also make lifelong friends.
Those are only a few of the reasons why Brad Lidstone and Curt Spaven want to see more children getting involved in organized sports.
While the pair are the co-directors of Westshore Basketball, itB次元官网网址檚 not just basketball theyB次元官网网址檙e hoping to see kids get involved with, as they recognize many youth play a variety of sports.
B次元官网网址淲e were multi-sport athletes growing up,B次元官网网址� Lidstone said. B次元官网网址淲e want to do what we can to help them B次元官网网址� We never want to turn away a kid.B次元官网网址�
But having a child involved in a number of activities can have an impact on parentsB次元官网网址� wallets and schedules. So Westshore Basketball offers parents the option of signing up for what programs fit their schedules.
That way if their child wants to take a break or has another commitment they can.
B次元官网网址淏ecause we offer so many different programs the kids get to buy into and choose when they want to play,B次元官网网址� Lidstone said. B次元官网网址淭hey can just sign up for those chunks that fit their schedule.B次元官网网址�
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For those athletes that do take a break from the sport, he noted B次元官网网址渢he majority of time, they do come back and are excited to play again.B次元官网网址�
But for kids that want to focus on basketball, Spaven noted they also have plenty of opportunities within the organization to grow and compete at higher levels. Both their boysB次元官网网址� and girlsB次元官网网址� elite teams have started to attract attention on the provincial stage and that is also translating across the border in U.S. competitions as well.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e really starting to see the results,B次元官网网址� Spaven added. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e developing athletes that are taking their high school programs to provincials [as well].B次元官网网址�
But itB次元官网网址檚 not just about getting kids involved in sports.
B次元官网网址淲e have our coaches and parents who work really hard,B次元官网网址� Lidstone said. B次元官网网址淸But] weB次元官网网址檙e always looking for community coaches B次元官网网址� The kids get the opportunity to play, the parents get the opportunity to learn to coach and the program benefits.B次元官网网址�
He added theyB次元官网网址檙e also looking for local business sponsors. B次元官网网址淣ow, itB次元官网网址檚 our turn to give back and we hope the kids in the program will one day too.B次元官网网址�
Both lifelong Langford residents, Spaven noted theyB次元官网网址檝e really seen how the improvements to infrastructure on the West Shore B次元官网网址� especially in Langford B次元官网网址� have translated on the local sports scene. With world-class facilities and players on the West Shore, he said B次元官网网址渒ids are starting to realize you can get there from the West Shore.B次元官网网址�
Lidstone added, B次元官网网址渢he kids have a real sense of pride in the facilities and the program B次元官网网址� Some of those first kids are now back, itB次元官网网址檚 really nice to see. We call it vertical integration.B次元官网网址�
With some of those students carrying on as coaches and others heading into education, the organization offers two bursaries for high school students that recognize volunteer commitment to community sports, and that doesnB次元官网网址檛 have to be Westshore Basketball.
B次元官网网址淲e want to do what we can to help them,B次元官网网址� Lidstone said.
For more information go to .
Find all of the stories that were in the fall West Shore Family publication .
