Basketball: Budding players soak up every word

ONE-ON-ONE: Avi Meyerson gives Wanganui youngster Kaia Berridge some personal time during an elite training camp at Springvale Stadium yesterday. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 080415WCSMMEYERSON1

Budding Wanganui basketball stars soaked up every word and put visiting mentor Avi Meyerson's style of coaching into action during a training workshop at Springvale Stadium yesterday.

Meyerson has been in the River City all week hosting a coaching workshop specifically for coaches on Easter Monday and then a series of elite training camps for 11 to 19-year-old players.

The American is the face of internationally renowned Impact Basketball which has "Changing the Way you Train" as its slogan.

Impact Basketball and Meyerson have, and continue to work with some of the world's best players and coaches, including American NBA stars.

Traditionally, Meyerson and his Impact style has been reserved only for major centres around the globe, including New Zealand, but appeared in Wanganui for the very first time through HoopNation's connection with the city.

HoopNation co-event director Paul Berridge said Wanganui basketball was extremely fortunate to have a person of Meyerson's calibre hold workshops and training camps in the River City.

Meyerson said while he was not surprised, he was impressed by the level of skill and commitment of those attending his sessions this week.

"There is so much talent in New Zealand, including Wanganui and I was happy to lend our style of training to these players," Meyerson said yesterday.

He said many of the young players had a chip on their shoulder, meaning they were hungry for the game and his and Impact's job was to focus that energy and commitment to on-court skill.

"We are also about building pathways for young players to get an education through basketball and giving them life skills through the game. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time here in Wanganui," Meyerson said.

He hosts one more elite training camp at Springvale Stadium today between 9am and 3pm.