Stingers Basketball Club “No Excuses” Developmental Programme
PORT OF SPAIN, #9 Queen’s Park East: December 19th 2023 – The Stingers Basketball Club in collaboration with First Citizens hosted the Stingers Basketball “No Excuses” developmental programme during the period May to November 2023. The seven-month programme introduced the sport of basketball to youths between the ages 8 – 17 years. Over 100 youths participated in the training programme that covered game fundamentals and concluded with a skills competition at the Nelson Mandela Park, Port of Spain and the Enterprise Community Sports Club, Enterprise.
Sharon Castanada, who has been in the field of sport for over 40 years, representing Trinidad and Tobago across the world in numerous sport disciplines, including netball, tennis and football, spearheaded the programme. She was one of the notable players of the 1987 T&T Women’s Netball Team, which placed 2nd in the World Championships jointly with Australia. The 1987 team was recently inducted into the First Citizens Sports Hall of Fame 2023 edition earlier this year.
First Citizens Sports Foundation members, Kwame Laurence and Major David Benjamin commended the programme’s outcome as well as the development and display of talent by the participants. Mr. Laurence in his address to the participants said, “As you display your skills today, think BIG! …as a young person striving to be the best that you can be, there are no excuses as you move forward, as you reach for your goals.” He went on to mention the many local sports role models including the national basketball team who recently won bronze in the Pan American Games, in Santiago, Chile. Major Benjamin, in his remarks cited the huge developments in the sport from a scientific perspective that many of the greats use today. He encouraged the participants to do their research and train consistently. He said beyond the funding look at “What (do) you bring to the court, what (do) you bring to the space in terms of your attitude, discipline, commitment and dedication, because through sport you can achieve anything you want to be in life.” They both echoed the sentiments of First Citizens, stating that the Group believes in the power of community and sports to inspire and transform lives. By supporting Stingers Basketball Club’s “No Excuses” training programme First Citizens is investing in the next generation of basketball superstars and building a strong sense of community through collaboration.
The First Citizens Stingers Basketball “No Excuses” developmental programme hosted numerous weekend training clinics during the period with an overall goal to develop amateur talent while promoting health, wellness and education. The programme was applauded for its
coaching professionalism and the positive impact it had on challenged youths. This initiative is another demonstration of First Citizens commitment to both Sport and Youth Development and Education as it continues to make a meaningful impact in the communities it serves.
