| Fadhil Yunus |
IN THEIR commitment to develop basketball in the grassroots level, the Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) has invited newly-appointed Brunei Beruang Blazers head coach Rabboni Rosito as a guest coach in the youth academy at the Brunei Basketball Association Court in Batu Bersurat yesterday.
Rabboni, a certified trainer, conducted a junior NBA programme which covers basic fundamentals and techniques as well as drills suitable for the young generation as young as six to seven year olds and up to over 11 years of age.
With the youth academy having been set up recently, BBA has been committed in developing and promoting talent in search of potential players to be absorbed into the national team.
Since the establishment of the new executive committee, they have had quite a busy schedule including the modernisation of the BBA court earlier this year.
The youth academy serves as a platform for the young generation not only to develop passion for the sport but also to enjoy the game as well to build their physique.
Throughout the session, there were a number of coaches with different levels of coaching working on different teams.
Part of the training focused on building their muscles and work on their physique.
Furthermore, there is also an advanced class which demonstrated a higher level of difficulty compared to the session coached by Rabboni.
Should a player demonstrate the ability which convinces observers at this particular session, he may also be invited to train with the national team.
Rabboni will stay in the country until October 16 to fulfil his role as Brunei Beruang Blazers head coach which was confirmed last week.
The Filipino, who hailed from Cebu, has had coaching experience in the last 14 to 15 years.
“I’m sharing my ideas and experiences in junior coaching in helping the kids becoming a better person,” said Rabboni in an interview with the Bulletin.
“This is thought (junior NBA programme) in many countries especially in the Philippines. We’re teaching more or less now 30,000 kids, most of the cities in the Philippines especially in Cebu where I came from.”
The head coach added that the length of the junior NBA programme should be carried out at least two to three hours every day and four to five times per week.
Asked if it the same type of programme will be repeated in every session, Rabboni said that what should be learnt are different type of drills and practice plan.
“If I will be back, this will be reviewed and then we will introduce another drill. There will be progression.”
He agreed that the participants were still “new” to the drills and exercises adding that it depends on the leadership of the coach on how to push the kids.
“So they will respond and we will explain, attend to them and correct them. They will know where they make the mistake. It is okay for them to make mistakes and let them recover from their mistakes,” he further added.
Asked on how the collaboration between Rabboni and BBA came to light, “BBA invited personalities, coaches like me. We are blessed that we are here as part of the programme. I’m just very happy to be here and I’m sharing everything I know in basketball.”
“I know in a long-term programme, this will be a good programme,” he said.
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