(Kaieteur News) – A selected Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) Under-15 Schoolboys team departed Guyana on Friday evening for Philipsburg, St Maarten, where the 11-member squad will compete in the annual Paradise International Basketball Tournament from October 3 to 7.
The team brings together some of Guyana’s promising Under-15 student-athletes from seven schools that participated in this year’s National Schools Basketball Festival (NSBF).
The players have undergone several weeks of intensive training and preparation ahead of the tournament, which will provide them with an opportunity to test themselves against regional competition while gaining valuable international exposure.
YBG U15 School Boys Select Team off to St. Maarten for International Tournament
Beyond their preparation on the court, the tour has also brought together players from different schools and communities, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and shared purpose among the young athletes.
The team is led by Head Coach Warren Wilson, with Judah Stephney and Calix Bernard serving as Assistant Coaches. Leona Kyte is the team chaperone, while Chris Bowman serves as Team Manager.
Bowman said the team’s participation represents more than another basketball competition, noting that the experience is part of YBG’s broader approach to player development.
“Participation in the tournament represents much more than simply another basketball competition. It provides valuable international exposure for young student-athletes while allowing YBG to assess the level of junior competition within this part of the Caribbean,” Bowman said.
He added that the tour is intended to establish a model that can be replicated, creating regular opportunities for international exposure at a critical stage of player development.
Bowman also acknowledged the individuals and organisations whose support helped make the trip possible, with principal partner G-Boats Guyana contributing almost half of the tour’s budget.
“From the moment the idea of taking a youth team overseas was shared, G-Boats committed to providing almost half of the tour’s budget,” Bowman said.
“The company continues to be one of YBG’s most important development partners, supporting competitions, coach development, player development and now international exposure for our young athletes.”
YBG also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport for its financial contribution towards the team’s participation.
The organisation extended further thanks to the players’ parents and their wider networks for the support provided throughout the preparation for the tour.
“Several have gone far beyond what might ordinarily be expected in supporting their own child, extending that same parental care, generosity and kindness to the entire team,” YBG said in a release.
Special acknowledgement was also extended to Mr and Mrs Hillaire, Oslyn Richards and James Singh for their contributions.
YBG also thanked those who supported its fundraising barbecue, made donations or provided assistance in other ways. The organisation recognised the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force for assistance with transportation to the airport, as well as the management of the Royal Hotel for allowing the team to use its facilities ahead of departure.
The organisation also expressed gratitude to Ambassador Deppo and the Embassy team for their assistance in ensuring that the players and coach were able to make the journey with the rest of the delegation.
For YBG, however, the value of the tour extends beyond results on the basketball court.
“At YBG, our definition of winning goes further. Winning is building young men and women who can succeed on and off the court,” the organisation said.
The release also stated that: the international experience represents another step in its effort to establish a reliable pathway for youth basketball development at the grassroots level—one that extends beyond tournaments and championships by using basketball to create opportunities, develop character and inspire young people to pursue a better future.
Source: Kaieteur News
