The opportunities for youth basketball development in South Delta continue to evolve with the launching of the Dragons Basketball Club this fall that will compete at the AAU level.
Club founder and Tsawwassen resident Neil Rerup hopes to have teams up and running from U9 and U17. They will be based on tryouts slated for Saturday, September 22.
The Dragons will play in tournaments throughout the Lower Mainland against other club teams as well as south of the border. A recreational level for the casual player will also be offered as well as skill programs. Peake Performance Sports, headed by Cody Low, will oversee the strength and conditioning side of the program.
Rerup not only wanted to provide a local option but an experience that will go beyond what other clubs offer.
He has been coaching basketball since 1980 and assisted with the first club program in B.C. — the Father Kilty Foundation out of Windsor Secondary in North Vancouver. Closer to home he has volunteered with the local Steve Nash League and started a mini-hoopsters out of Sacred Heart. He also enjoyed a three-year stretch coaching B.C. Winter Games zone teams.
“Basketball is a team sport that is very fluid in it’s nature and allows for all sizes and skill levels to compete and succeed. Competition isn’t a dirty word. We will teach young players how to compete and we don’t ignore children just because they aren’t as good as other players.
“Rather, we will work with all players, regardless of skill level, so that they can all experience success. In a team situation, it’s not about how good one individual player is but how good the team is that comes together,” said Rerup.
The intent is to group players based on the secondary schools they attend or where they live and prepare them for high school ball. Rerup has already reached out to both local schools and also will be running Friday sessions for Grades 6 and 7 at Delta Christian School.
“If your primary focus is on how many points you’ve scored and that shows up in your play, then there are plenty of clubs that you can join. But if you are looking to have your school team grow and have success on a more frequent basis, this is the club for you,” Rerup added.
Registration for the tryout sessions can be done by visiting dragonbasketballclub.com.
Evaluation times are based on age but range from 9 a.m. to 1:30 pm.
