MISCOUCHE, P.E.I. — It was an opportunity to introduce elementary school students to basketball while providing an option for playing a different sport.
Now what started out as a small program is growing in popularity.
Three years ago, Miscouche Consolidated School teacher Nicole Martin started coaching teams at Miscouche and Elm Street Elementary in Summerside.
The Miscouche Mustang Elementary Basketball Jamboree, sponsored by Source for Sports and Greco Pizza, marked the end of a successful 2018-19 season recently. Over 100 boys and girls in Grades 4 to 6 participated from Miscouche, Elm Street and Parkside schools.
“It has been a great opportunity for those kids who may not have been part of a team before to learn some skills and learn how to be a part of the game,” said Martin, who praised the efforts of some Miscouche junior high students who assisted with the coaching and officiating of games.
Parkside teacher Erika Groman coaches both teams at the Summerside school.
Going forward, Martin would like to see Greenfield and Athena join for the 2019-20 season, creating the possibility for a five-team Summerside league for Grades 4 to 6.
“This would feed into our junior high programs,” noted Martin.
Players enjoy opportunity
There is no doubt the players enjoy the opportunity that has been presented to them.
“I love basketball and it’s fun to play,” said Miscouche Grade 5 student Luke MacCaull, who recently completed his second year in the program.
When asked what his favourite part of playing basketball is, MacCaull answered, “I like scoring.”
Miscouche Grade 6 student Fiona Farrell is in her third year on the hard court.
“I like being on a team and I just like basketball a lot,” said Farrell.
She went on to say she enjoys playing other schools.
“It’s fun playing against Parkside and Elm Street,” added Farrell.
Lindsey Duncan, a Grade 6 student at Miscouche, says he really enjoys learning new skills.
“When I started basketball I didn’t know if I would like ii, but I love playing basketball,” she said. “I also like playing on a team with other people because I like learning with other people and helping other people learn.”
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