Article Contributed on: 8/5/2008 6:58:35 PM
The Junior Rolling Nuggets wheelchair basketball program hosted its annual kids wheelchair basketball instructional camp at Gold Crown in Lakewood August 4, 5 and 6th. The event attracted wheelchair-using kids between the ages 6-16 who came out to learn the ins and outs of the sport in preparation to the upcoming season.
Now in its forth year, the camp features a full day of activities from shooting drills, to passing and learning positioning on the court. Hands-on instruction is provided for by Rolling Nuggets guard Justin Obermeyer and Junior Rolling Nuggets coaches Frank Haberkorn and Matt Wright. Along with instructing the camp and playing on the adult wheelchair basketball team, Obermeyer also coaches the women's wheelchair basketball team here in Denver and is a multi-sport athlete.
"The kids really look up to Justin. He's a great role model," says Colorado Wheelchair Sports Association board member Stuart Kluglar as he went on to elaborate on Obermeyer's passion for the sport and out reaching to kids.
Coach Haberkorn is one of the co-founders of the event along with the late great Larry Sidebottom of whom the camp is devoted to. "I helped Larry run this event for the last three years" says Haberkorn. "I really miss him." Sidebottom passed away earlier this year after a bout with cancer. He was 50 and survived by a wife and 5-year old twins. His legacy of developing a program for physically disabled children lives on through the basketball program.
What's Next?
The Junior Rolling Nuggets will begin practicing on Wednesday evenings at Gold Crown. The team is preparing for an upcoming tournament in Phoenix later this year and the NWBA Junior Wheelchair Basketball Finals to take place in April 2009 at their home court at Gold Crown. The event is expected to carry the name of the program's founder as the Larry Sidebottom Memorial Championship and will attract the top three dozen teams from around the country.
For more information about wheelchair basketball in Colorado, visit the Colorado Wheelchair Sports Association's website at www.coloradowheelchairsports.org