The camp was made up of 50 young people from all over South Lanarkshire incorporating beneficiaries out of various projects currently in progress by Reach for the Sky.
The camp runs with the intent of teaching the young campers new skills and techniques around all basic aspects of basketball. The campers worked incredibly hard and really should be proud of their effort.
From the first Easter camp in 2010 to present it is clear that there has been a huge spike of improvement which all the Reach for the Sky staff are thrilled about and excited to continue to see all the young people grow and continue to develop their potential.
The young campers received a brilliant visit by special guest Iain Maclean who currently coaches Glasgow Storm men’s squad in the Scottish national league. Iain is one of Scotland’s most known and respected basketball player/coach. Iain spoke with the campers all about his journey through basketball and how it has positively impacted his life from high school in Scotland to playing out in the United States, professionally and internationally.
Iain commented; "Reach for the Sky gives the kids a great start and with hard work the ideal opportunity to be fit and healthy along with learning some great life skills through the fantastic team sport of basketball."
The day featured a free throw and hot shot competition; under 12 and over 12. The under 12 free throw winner was Cambuslang Cougars Kyle Maxwell and the over 12 free throw winner was Burnbank Bulls Christopher Duncan. The hot shot under 12 winner was East Kilbride Scorpions Shaun Thomas and the over 12 hot shot winner was Blantyre Bears Christopher Curle.
On the day there was also an under 12 and over 12 Most Valuable Player awarded which went to the young campers the coaching staff felt played out of their skin as well as a great attitude to learn and develop as an individual and as part of a team.
The under 12 MVP was Shaun Thomas who also won the Easter camp 2012 MVP and academy league MVP 2012, Shaun has shown improvement week in and week out across all of the Reach for the Sky projects and has the potential to go very far in basketball.
The over 12 MVP was Cambuslang Cougars Ruairidth Cullen; Ruairidth has over the last year been one of the Reach for the Sky Basketball Academies most improved players as he has worked very hard weekly as well as in the Academy League. On the day all coaches agreed he deserved the award and with his performance in the camp games he really earned it.
Founder & Managing Director Graham Hunter commented;
“What a great day for grass roots basketball; really had as much fun as the young campers. I love having the camp here each year in Rutherglen, this is our 4th time here as this is where I was born.
It was an amazing day action packed with fun and exciting games, the young campers didn’t stop moving all day even at lunch break they wanted to get active again.
Our coaching staff did an excellent job I am really proud of the way they played an important role on the day and have all continued to develop as coaches and role models.
I would really like to thank all of the young campers, parents and the coaching staff for a fantastic day.
I would also like to thank our camp sponsor Clubs for Young People Scotland, Cambuslang & Rutherglen Sports Council and basketballscotland for their basketball donations.”