At Rodez basket Aveyron, the mini-basketball school allows all children born between 2011 and 2016 to discover the practice of basketball through games, fun activities, technical workshops and meetings on sets. This year, the section has 54 children, boys and girls, divided into three age groups. The U7s with 19 children, the U9s with 11 children and the U11s with 24 children. “An increasing number, especially among the youngest, the U7s”, completes the general secretary of the club, Christel Espinasse, who attributes this observation to word of mouth.
To supervise these budding practitioners, a full-time employee is in charge of the mini-basketball school. This is Brahim Rostom, holder of a state patent. He is supported by ten qualified educators, experienced in basketball training for the little ones. “The training of educators is paid for by the club”, says the secretary.
No specific budget at the mini-basketball school
The mini-basketball school is an integral part of the club, and as such its operation is part of the overall management of the RBA. “In mini-basketball, there are no travel costs. The sets take place at the club or at our neighboring clubs. It is the parents who transport the children. For training equipment, we pool everything that is possible with the other categories, so a special budget for mini-basketball is not necessary”, specifies Christel Espinasse. For the practice of basketball, in training, the club asks licensees to wear appropriate clothing, with shorts, a T-shirt, sneakers and a water bottle. On the sets, shorts and jerseys in the colors of the club are provided. No child is left behind.
In mini-basketball, there is no selection, everyone plays, the notion of individual performance is not a criterion for participation. “We are a training club and as such no one is put aside, insist the coaches. On the plateaus, there are several levels. Teams are made according to everyone’s abilities, without forgetting anyone.”
Attentive to the motivation of children, the club involves players from senior teams in training. “The look of the children changes when they see the big players playing on Saturday evening after having rubbed shoulders with them on Wednesday in training.”
The training also goes beyond the framework of the club, with Operation basketball school. According to a convention of the federation, Brahim Rostom works with teachers in Ruthenian primary schools (large section), to introduce children to the big orange ball.
Contact : Christel Espinasse, 06 82 54 38 38 ; Xavier Alric, 07 83 34 34 22 ; [email protected]
