All the campers at this camp where older than the previous camp and always working hard and trying to succeed over and above and become the best player they could. They were very advanced and serious players with a goal of coming to the US to play one day! I formed bonds with just about every player at the camp. I always felt loved and appreciated by everyone..including the coaches. It was another amazing experience that I am so grateful God allowed me to to have! This opportunity allowed me to grow spiritually in Him and He also allowed me to fill my love tank up even more! It is truly amazing the things God can show you and help you through in your life, when you look to Him! I not only grew spiritually, but I grew tremendously as a coach and player! Coach wise, I have learned that it takes a lot of patience, especially when there is a language barrier and your team doesn't understand everything you say! haha And I learned how to quickly make decisions during a game or practice and communicate those decisions in how I believe is the easiest and most effective way. I have always respected my coaches, but I have an even greater respect for my coaches now and all they have to to do!!
I also have an even better understanding as a player..that rwhen you are chosen to play on a team...you are coming into a FAMILY, not just a team! Because of that, it doesn't matter where you came from, the color of your skin, your skill compared to others....THE MAIN THING is how you come together with your FAMILY! Because as a team, everyone must contribute in the best way for your FAMILY...not just for yourself! Like the saying goes, "There is NO "I" in the word "Team". So as a player, you must contribute in the best way you can for your team and not just go out and do and say whatever you want. It shouldn't matter where people come from, the race, or their skill because we are all the same in God's eyes and that's how we should look at others around us as well!
As I look into my life outside of basketball, I can remember all the rocky times and how I wasn't sure if I was going to make it through alive or if it was always going to be like this! When I was away working the summer camps, I could tell from the campers how they had faith in me and what I was teaching....and by the energy I had while helping them improve their game. This helped me realize that when I was struggling with things in my life...and thought I had faith...I actually had little faith in God and in myself. Because I had little faith, it made it easier for negative things to attack me to the point where I would believe that I wasn't going to make it through this valley. However, when I saw the kids shoot the correct way that we had just worked on together...and they made it! Or If I changed up their defense to where they could steal the ball or keep their player from scoring...They would just come alive and be full of confidence and energy! I would see a HUGE smile form on their faces and then they would come and tell me they did what I told them to do! Then they would happily ask, "What do I do next?" :)
So, in the beginning, I thought teaching the camps would be a fun experience! I had no idea that it would not only be fun...but God alot planned to teach me! I learned about myself and important things God was wanting me to grasp about life, love and basketball!
Some of the staff came along from the Prades Camp..and some stayed behind to lead a second Prades camp. The staff that came along were, of course, Guillaume..haha And then Titu and myself. Other staff I met during the Spain camp were Olivier, Alexis, Diana, Dalphine and Andrieux. Each incredible in their own way! Below is a very brief tribute to the qualities I admired most in each...
Coach Olivier- My French Tutor in Spain! haha Let's just say I had a lesson..and then was quizzed! He is great at leading and overseeing the entire court and has the ability to quickly analyze if something isn't working and change it!
Coach Alexis-My Dance Partner! haha He is a great coach that takes his job very seriously. He is committed to teaching everything he can to make the player get better each time they are on the court. Off the court he has a great sense of humor and enjoys giving everyone a hard time...in a funny way!
Coach Diana-My Helpmate! haha Diana not only helped me communicate and know what to do all week...she helped all the campers and coaches! From organizing different activities to doctoring injuries..she did it all while smiling and laughing!
Coach Andrieux-My Group Partner! We shared leadership of the same group all week! The nicest, sweetest man ever!! Although he can be quiet, he is sneaky..haha It is impossible to be around him without smiling!
Coach Dalphine-My Support! Very smart and caring woman that does a great job supporting the campers she coaches and everyone around her! Someone you know that you can always depend upon!
And continued from the Prades Camp:
Coach Titu-Determined to learn English the week in Spain, he was incredible at picking up the language and able to carry on conversations and understand them in English within days! He was amazing at being there everytime I needed him and as always...an incredible basketball player and coach!
As the camp came to an end...It was bittersweet! I was sad to go and leave this enviroment I had grown so much in, but so happy for the experience I had! As I arrived back home...and began to settle in, I already missed so many that were involved in BasketAventures! And then I got an invitation from Guillaume to join them in Orlando and coach the 11th grade boys European team in the AAU National Super Showcase! The Favor of Love...shown to me...Brittany! I instantly booked a flight and repacked...and was on the plane the next morning! An unexpected blessing...and the journey continues...
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