Womenâ??s Basketball Value Their Relationship With The Community
Jeff Speedy sat on the sidelines watching countless numbers of boys and girls work out in a local gymnasium. It was a recreational program, not affiliated with the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds. But something stood out that caught Speedy’s eye.
The head coach of the UNB Varsity Reds’ women’s basketball team saw dozens of t-shirts with UNB emblazoned on the front. Either the children had played in one of the many UNB youth programs the VReds offer during the off-season or they had attended one of the summer basketball camps.
“It really strikes me when I go and watch some of the programs across the City of Fredericton and see all of these UNB shirts out there on the floor,” said Speedy, entering his sixth season at the helm of the VReds. “It means in some way or another, our programs, our players or our coaches have had an influence on our community. We’re all proud when we see those children wearing UNB shirts. It may not mean much to the average person, but it reflects our commitment to our community and our region.”
The region is expanding, too. Sure, UNB offers numerous programs from camps to specialized position clinics to spring league and even elite Junior VReds teams at the mini, bantam and under-15 age classes. Not all of those players are from the Greater Fredericton area. There is a strong influx from Charlotte County, Carleton County and as far away as Perth-Andover, Grand Falls and even Fundy.
It’s something that has taken time, but something Speedy and his charges delve into each year. “To have our players and our coaching staff involved with children allows them and their parents to have a connection with what we’re doing at UNB and with the Varsity Reds,” he said. “Perhaps a player has coached a 12 or 13-year-old player in one of our spring leagues or on an elite team or at summer camp. There’s a bond that’s forged and when we’re playing, those children want to see a game and maybe have a chance to talk to them after the game. We’re very mindful of the role we play in our community. Our players are more than pleased to re-connect with many of the youth they work with during the off-season.”
One thing that cannot be dismissed is that role model efficiency the VReds have. Perhaps UNB has just come off a dramatic Atlantic University Sport win or a tough setback. Whatever the emotion the players or coaching staff is feeling following an AUS battle, there are scores of children awaiting them on the sidelines.
“It can be a tremendous boost for our student-athletes to see all these kids waiting for them after a game,” said Speedy. “Whether it’s an autograph or just a conversation with many of them, it leaves such a positive impression on entire families. Our players know how important it is for them to communicate with these children. It’s something our program strives for.”
The VReds completed their second spring/summer season with the Junior team programs. There was a mini A team, bantam A and B and an under-15 team within its stable in 2011. Players were coached by UNB players or those connected with the VReds program with Speedy overseeing all of the team in a general manager role. The teams competed in tournaments in Boston and Halifax and also hosted their own age-class events at UNB, attracting teams from all over the Maritimes. The chance for children to play against teams from Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and the Eastern United States was a huge thrill and stepping stone for those involved.
A number of week long summer camps were also successful and UNB also had its first elite development and specialized position such as guard and post camps for players. A number of players and coaches will make appearances with club programs within the region and beyond and appearances at all YBC grade three to six girl’s practices this fall and winter, a special thrill for many of the coaches and youth members of teams who get a chance to rub shoulders with the UNB program.
The VReds will also be in schools this fall and taking their show on the road, with a day clinic in Sussex on September 25th and in Fundy on October 1st. In addition, the annual Fall Day Camp takes place in the Richard J. Currie Center on Thanksgiving Monday, just hours after the annual Helen Campbell Women’s Basketball Tournament. A busy schedule but a schedule that Coach Speedy believes is a win-win for his Program and for girl’s basketball in the community.
“You hope our program can reach one person, but in reality, we’re reaching an awful lot of children and adults through our commitment to the community,” Speedy said. “Not all of the players will move on and become UNB student-athletes, but for many, that is the goal and that’s what we want to promote. If one of our camps or elite teams leads to a player eventually wearing UNB colours on the court, what more could you possibly ask for? It’s not why we do it, but children can use positive role models and influences. If our UNB program can help just a little, all the work, time and effort that’s put into community involvement is well worth it.”