Digicel, NBA launch Jumpstart clinics in the Caribbean

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands:

Digicel and the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced yesterday the launch of the Digicel NBA Jumpstart Basketball Clinics in the Caribbean, which will take place in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turks and Caicos Islands.

The clinics, which began on Monday and will run continue until September 28, will be run by NBA International Basketball Operations staff and focus on player development and will bring together hundreds of players and coaches from across the Caribbean.

Each clinic will bring together the top-40 players, ages 16 and under, from their respective countries for two-day national training camps. The programme also features one-day clinics in each country for local coaches.

As with Digicel's successful football programme, the Digicel Kickstart Clinics, the best athletes in each country will be selected for the intensive 'Elite Camp' programme from September 26-28 in Trinidad and Tobago.

The top-eight players from the Elite Camp, as determined by a NBA coach and Legend, will have the opportunity to attend an NBA game in the United States.

"We applaud the NBA and Digicel for launching this initiative in the British Virgin Islands, as this will, no doubt, bring first-class expertise to the Caribbean, making it easier for the players to take their game to the highest level possible," said Paul Hewlett, acting assistant director of sport affairs, British Virgin Islands, where the inaugural clinic tipped off on Monday.

Tommy Farrell, commercial director, Digicel British Virgin Islands, said: "Digicel is all about developing aspiring young athletes at the grassroots level, having done so in various sports, including cricket and football. Over the years, we have developed and maintained partnerships with big-name sporting organisations such as Chelsea FC, Manchester City FC, Sunderland FC, and the WICB to name a few. We are delighted to be adding the NBA to that list and supporting the development of basketball."

The Elite Camp and camper trip to the United States to attend an NBA game will be shared with Digicel customers online, digitally and through mobile and will be broadcast on Digicel Sportsmax, which brings NBA fans closer to their favourite teams through its live coverage of the NBA season, which tips off October 27.

Location Programme Dates:

British Virgin Islands, Aug 24-26

Antigua and Barbuda, Aug 28-30

Barbados, Sept 1-3

Jamaica, Sept 5-7

Bermuda, Sept 9-11

Turks and Caicos Islands, Sept 13-15

Trinidad and Tobago, Sept 23-28