Youngsters learn from experts

Around 30 budding Wanganui basketball juniors and their coaches were on a steep learning curve at Springvale Stadium yesterday during the first training camp of its kind in the River City for a decade.

The training session was for 5-13-year-olds under the guidance of former Tall Black, Olympian, NBL champion and Breakers star Paoro Winitana and current Hawkes Bay Jets guard Tia Temata-Frost.

The pair, representing Paoro Winitana's basketball academy, are in Wanganui to run a special two-day basketball holiday camp with the seniors - 13-18-year-olds - due for lessons today. The camp is being hosted by the Whanganui HoopClub with support from Basketball New Zealand.

Winitana is an experienced and highly-regarded player, who has achieved many successes at the highest level - nationally and internationally.

Whanganui HoopClub coach and spokesman Paul Berridge said day one for the juniors yesterday proved valuable for the children and their coaches.

"Interest in basketball in Wanganui, like many other centres, is on the rise, mainly through the deeds of the Breakers' success and Steve Adams' recent entry into the NBA competition in the United States and to have someone of Paoro's stature and experience here in Wanganui has been extremely valuable to help foster that interest," Berridge said.

"Miniball and intermediate basketball in Wanganui is strong and we are actively promoting secondary school level which is also steadily growing. This is the first time Wanganui has hosted a training camp in this format in probably 10 years."

Berridge was joined yesterday by fellow Wanganui coaches Taare Henry, Bernee Gray and Matt Schmidt, who all agreed they, too, were gaining valuable knowledge from the training camps.

Winitana said that while he was not surprised, he was impressed with how the youngsters enjoyed and participated in the experience.

Today, the seniors take to the court for their lessons with training beginning at 9am and running through until 4pm. Registrations are being taken from 8.30am with entry at $40 for individuals, although discounts are available for multiple immediate family members.