A STRONG turnout marked the third session of the I Am Her basketball camp, spearheaded by Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation board member Marlene Lumabi, at the Koblerville gym on Saturday.
The camp, which began on Feb. 1, is held every Saturday for three months to increase the involvement of women in basketball. Participation is free.
According to Lumabi, camp is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive community for women and girls. “Our mission is to unite females, inspire them through basketball, and create a lasting impact on the NMI,” she added.
She said they want to inspire females of all ages, from grassroots to elite; unite the female community by providing opportunities for everyone to engage in basketball; and empower future leaders by creating a nurturing environment that supports growth both on and off the court.
Over the past three Saturdays, Lumabi noted that a strong turnout of girls attended the camp, which runs two sessions every Saturday.
The first session, led by Coach Rachel, takes place from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. for girls 6 to 8 years old.
The second session, led by Coach Mikki, runs from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., for girls 9 to 12 years old.
Each session focuses on the fundamentals of basketball: passing, dribbling, shooting, and defense.
“Our goal is for each participant to leave the camp feeling more confident, not only in their basketball abilities but also in their potential as young individuals,” Lumabi said. “We hope they build lasting friendships and develop essential skills for success, both on the court and in life.”
Lumabi said “the inspiration behind the I Am Her Camp stems from two key reasons: first, to grow grassroots basketball, and second, from our Her World, Her Rules Camp, which we host annually on National Girls Day, Oct. 8.”
She said the last Her World, Her Rules camp saw a great turnout, “and parents have since expressed interest in more camps focused on empowering young girls in basketball. This demand fueled the creation of the I Am Her Camp.”
Marlene Lumabi and coach Mikki Kautz with the participants of the I Am Her basketball camp at the Koblerville gym on Saturday.
Marlene Lumabi teaches a participant the triple threat technique during the I Am Her basketball camp at the Koblerville gym on Saturday.
Coach Mikki Kautz leads a dribbling drill during the I Am Her basketball camp at the Koblerville gym on Saturday.
