Playaz Youth Academy ends “impactful” summer camp for youngsters (+Video)

Management of the Playaz Youth Academy (PYA), are pleased with the outcome of their annual Basketball summer camp which closes on Saturday, August 5, after two weeks of engagement of youngsters.

“Due to the rain, this year we had a few setbacks, however, the camp was still a success,” manager, Gregory Williams, told SEARCHLIGHT on Thursday.

The camp, which opened on July, 24 at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex saw participation from persons 5-21 years old learning more than the rudiments of basketball.

Gregory Williams Manager

Williams said that one of the aims is to engage the participants positively and so divert their attention away from any thought of engagement in criminal activity. He was making specific reference to the mass shooting in Kingstown on July, 19, in which seven persons were shot, and five died as he stressed that he wants the youngsters to use their energy for something else.

“What we’re trying to do- we are trying to steer the kids away from things like that, so that they can focus their energies into something more positive and basketball is the avenue we choose.” 
Williams, whose responsibility is to ensure that all requirements for the camp are in place, added that along with basketball training for the duration of the two week summer programme, counsellors, health practitioners and activists, teachers, prison officers and other professionals were invited to conduct sessions with the participants who are referred to as ‘playaz’.

“ The camp was very impactful. Speakers that came in did an excellent job at communicating/delivering the message to the youths,” Williams said.

This was in keeping with the goal of the Academy which, in addition to training in Basketball, is also to train the minds and develop discipline among participants. Despite having to double the cost of staging the camp this year due mainly to reduced sponsorship support, the 2023 edition of the two week exercise attracted 148 youths, and Williams said there were persons who were turning up to register with mere days to go before the camp closes, and there have also been a few requests for the camp to be held for three weeks rather than two weeks.

Among participants this year were youngsters from the Vermont Police Youth Club and the Liberty Lodge Boys Training Center.

Williams said as well that the camp is not as yet at the level where the Academy will like it to be, but he is hopeful that they can build on the programme every year.

In addition to the annual Basketball Summer Camp, PYA also offers a number of other programmes. Public relations officer and assistant coach, Shawn Sutherland, outlined to SEARCHLIGHT that these programmes cater for persons of varying age groups.

“We also do Saturday morning clinics and Tuesday and Thursday after school programmes for persons who can’t attend on Saturdays because of religious reasons, or kids generally [who] have chores at home on weekends.”

Gregory Williams Manager

Speaking about the challenges which the organisation faces Sutherland explained that, “the summer camp is the only activity we charge for, we charge registration and that is $100 this year. Years past we charged as low as $50 and that barely covers the refreshments.”

There are also costs associated with transportation for ‘playaz’; obtaining the services of coaches, as well as difficulties recruiting volunteers because “everything comes at a cost”.

The assistant coach also spoke about the two year break in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that parents were excited for the resumption of the camp last year which attracted more than 150 ‘playaz’.

The parents “liked the idea of getting them into a sport, a team-based sport because individual sports, whether it be tennis or swimming where you can participate on your own, it is good in terms of the building of your mental state, building of your body, but we find team sports builds a lot of character and camaraderie”.

The Playaz Summer Camp is into its fourth year having started in 2018, one year after the launch of the Playaz Youth Academy.