Ffriend looking to give back through one-day clinic
Hoops and Ffriends have joined force with Youth Crime Watch for a one-day basketball clinic on Saturday at the University of the West Indies gymnasium.
The inaugural clinic, which is open to male and female players in the 8-18 age group, starts at 10 a.m. and continues to 4 p.m.
Kimani Ffriend, a Jamaican who has played professionally across the world, is the chief organiser, and believes there is a lot of talent here for basketball, and is looking to give back to the sport that he has benefited from.
“There is an appetite here for basketball and a lot of talent, so we want to give them another avenue. Basketball was a fast-growing sport here in the 1990s, so I want it to get back there,” Ffriend told STAR Sports about his decision to organise the clinic.
GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY
“I was introduced to basketball by Basil ‘Spidey’ Barrett, while attending Ardenne High. I never liked basketball as I excelled in track and field, cricket and football, where I represented Belair High after leaving Ardenne,” the former Jamaica representative explained.
“I believe that other kids should be given the opportunity to play basketball. We want to have a system to teach the kids to play organised basketball. This is just a start, so I am hoping to have it annually. I want to start something from the grassroots and build it here in Jamaica as a person who has played professionally,” Ffriend outlined.
Ffriend also confirmed that Aaron Walsh, a renowned coach from Washington DC will be here to assist in the clinic.
“We will be working on ball-handling drills to introduce the kids to the sport. I want to develop basketball here and I believe I can do that starting from the grassroots level,” said the retired 41 year-old.
Meanwhile, Kethania Griffiths, CEO of Youth Crime Watch, said that her organisation quickly accepted an invitation from Ffriend to partner in the one-day clinic.
KIG is the title sponsor, while associate sponsors include Nestle, Crimson Dawn, ICAN Foundation, Spokes and Hoop Kidz.