An Aldergrove father is recruiting youths for an Aldergrove-based Steve Nash Youth Basketball club.
Andy Maganga is the league coordinator for the new program, which will be based at Aldergrove's Betty Gilbert Middle School.
It will be a coed program to run ten weeks, with a focus on skill development and equal play time for all members.
Maganga, who coached Friday Night Basketball in Abbotsford when his kids were small, says the main goal is to inspire more youngsters to pursue the game when they enter high school in Aldergrove.
"The Steve Nash program is aimed at grades 3 to 9, and we hope to have enough kids register for teams of eight to 10 players in grades 5, 6 and 7 this year," said Maganga.
The Steve Nash program is being offered in Langley at the Langley Events Centre, but as Maganga observes, "Travelling to Langley or Abbotsford can be a pain for Aldergrove kids."
This is why Maganga is bringing the program to Aldergrove, where he has enlisted the support of the local schools. The middle school is providing use of their gym and the high school next door has also offered their gym, if required.
The fledgling club is holding a registration drive on Monday, Dec. 15 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Betty Gilbert school gym. Parents can also call or text Andy Maganga at 604-866-2459 or email mmaganga@shaw.ca or see website at http://www.basketball.bc.ca/snyb-home/.
Maganga is also hoping parents and high school students will step forward to assist with the coaching.
"We need two volunteers for each team, a coach and assistant, and I have two coaches lined up. Four more would be a good start," said Maganga.
The program would start at the end of January and run every Monday and Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for 10 weeks. Cost is $115.
There are perks with the program as each participant receives a reversible Steve Nash Youth Basketball jersey and wristband. Membership also includes discounts on games, apparel, travel and more, as well as discounted registration to Basketball BC events and tournaments.