By Marlene Eisner

Basketball, one of the fastest growing team sports among young people in Canada, is a great way to develop a child’s reflexes, speed and eye-hand coordination. But there’s more to basketball than getting a slam-dunk. It is also a fun way to learn about teamwork, good sportsmanship and trust. 

This summer, your child can dribble, bounce, pass and sink those balls at one of Montreal’s basketball camps. There are several different choices available, for the novice or more experienced player.

Montreal Basketball Centre
This centre, based in Lasalle, offers two summer programs for kids ages 7-16. Novice and younger players (12 and under) can enrol in weeklong sessions where they spend the morning training and developing their skills and then playing basketball in the afternoon.

Camp owner Jason Hosie says enrolment is limited (no more than 25 children a week) so everyone gets a chance to learn and play. The program costs $100 a week. 

The centre also offers a more advanced program for young people ages 13-16. For $400 for the summer, these athletes can come in for one hour a day, morning or afternoon, to work one-on-one on skill development. Before or after their private hour, they can stay and play games.

Sessions begin the week of June 30 and run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with before and after care available. The Montreal Basketball Centre is located at 2021 Lapierre St., Lasalle. For more information, call (514) 364-2715 or email info@montrealballers.ca.

Trevor Williams Basketball Academy
Now in its 14th year, the basketball academy is run by Montreal basketball star Trevor Williams. It is held at Dawson College, where Williams is head coach of the women’s basketball team. The camp accepts young people ages 6-18. Kids are evaluated at the start of each week, and then placed on a team according to age and skill level. The camp focuses on building team spirit as well as skills. About 225 to 250 campers attend each week, and there is a party held each Friday with games and prizes. Sessions start on June 30, with campers attending from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (before and after care are also available). Cost is $170 a week. For more information, call (514) 932-4340 or (514) 484-7696. 

Hoopster Academy
Run by David King, head coach of the Montreal Royal basketball team, this camp is located at Queen of Angels Academy in Dorval. It is geared towards experienced players ages 12-17 who want to improve their skills. Campers spend their day doing drills, training exercises, fitness, technical and tactical development. There is a limit of 15 players per week.

The camp offers six sessions: June 30 to July 4 (girls ages 12-13), July 7-11 (boys ages 12-13), July 14-18 (girls ages 14-15), July 21-25 (boys ages 14-15), July 28-Aug. 1 (girls ages 16-17), Aug. 4-8 (boys ages 16-17). Cost is $225 week and campers attend from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call (514) 967-5464 or email dking@hoopsteracademy.com.