Cayman’s national Under-16 basketball team was just formed this month and already it boasts corporate support.
Last week Jacques Scott and DRG Construction Company Ltd sponsored a set of shoes for the team. The managing directors for both businesses, Peter Dutton and Ray Doxey respectively, presented the sneakers to the squad at Jacques Scott’s main office on Shedden Road. On hand for the presentation were seven U16 players (all were either on the national side’s final roster or took part in team try-outs) and assistant coach Daniel Augustine.
The sneakers are the Nike Air Max variety and are red and white in colour to match the national uniforms. According to Nike’s website, as of this week, the shoes retail for US$88 a pair and with about 15 girls involved that equates to a total coast of US$1,320. Initially the shoes were to be put in use for the Centro Basket youth basketball tournament in Chiapas, Mexico this month. However the competition, sanctioned by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), was cancelled due to financial constraints.
Nevertheless Augustine states he appreciates the sponsorship of Jacques Scott and DRG Construction Company Ltd ahead of next year’s competitions.
“I thank both companies for their sponsorship and hopefully they can accomodate us in the future,” Augustine said. “It’s always necessary for the kids to have an incentive to play. With any company playing a part in things like uniform expenses it will encourage the girls to train and grow as basketball players.
“The Central Basket event is one of the qualifying tournaments for the next Youth Olympics. Another qualifier is the FIBA Americas U16 Championships next August. When they find host countries for those events we’ll make plans to attend. Hopefully we can take part in the various qualifying stages and be well on our way.”
The national U16 team consists of Imani Abdul-Jabbar, Sheneka Bodden, Felecia Connor, April Ebanks, Monique Ebanks, Rochelle Gardener, La-Torae Nixon, Julisa Pars, Hannah Parchment, Chloe Powery, Shante Whitelock, Rosemarie Wilson. All are being directed by head coach Redver Ebanks. Powery, 13, was one of the girls at the sponsorship presentation. A current player in the Appleby U19 Basketball League for the Comets, Powery states she feels pleased to be on the side and receive support from the Cayman community.
“First of all I think it’s great that the team and I are getting sponsored by my grand-pa Ray,” Powery said. “Being on this team it’s a great opportunity to go places we have never gone before. Considering the size of the island we live on it’s also a chance to expose our true talents in basketball.”
Both Doxey and Dutton expressed their pleasure in having their companies support the national team.
“It’s good that DRG can be helping out,” Doxey said. “This team is good for the girls and I hope they get to go more tournaments. Our girls can never get too much playing time in competitions abroad.”
“We at Jacques Scott are delighted to be helping the team and in turn the Cayman Islands Basketball Association,” Dutton said. “Local basketball is one of many community endeavours we assist and we’re happy to support it.”
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