Hoops

So about 3 months ago when school let out I decided it would be a good idea to start a youth basketball league here in San Vicente. “Why?” You ask. “What’s the point, Eik?” Well, San Vicente is really lacking any type of organized, competitive sport for young people. Organized team sports facilitate teamwork, patience, problem-solving, and responsibility, among other things. These are life skills that some of us may take for granted, but are not really focused on here in Ecuador. Let me paint a clearer picture.

Scenario: Basketball practice. Child A refuses to pass Child B the ball.

What should go down: Child B waits for current play to be completed, and approaches Child A with a tap on the shoulder. “Hey man, I was open, why didn’t you pass me the ball?”

What really goes down: Child B interrupts current play by shoving Child A in the back. “****pass me the**** ball **** ****!?” Child A drops basketball. Fist fight ensues.

Dramatic? Yes. Realistic? Absolutely. So not only are we working on learning the game of basketball, but more so on working in a team and improving our communication skills. Looking at the big picture, helping 40 children in a small town off of the coast of Ecuador to become more effective communicators and team players may not seem that significant. That’s why I choose to look at the small picture. I have the opportunity to assist young people with skills that will make them more successful members of society. I think Peace Corps and development work is more about the small picture anyways. What do you think?

During the first week of practice I was positive I was in that Disney movie. You know the one: Coach comes in from out of town and agrees to take over a team of children who are a little “rough around the edges.” First practice consists of flying balls, shouting matches, and the occasional tear. I think the only thing that kept me from throwing in the towel in the beginning was the fact that the movie ends with my team winning the state championship. I mean, that’s how it always ends, right? Ok, I wasn’t focused so much on a state championship as A: there are no states, and B: there is no championship, as I was focused on my goal of beginning competitions by the time school was back in session. We started at the very beginning as most of the children had no idea basketball even had rules. We learned that basketball is not the same thing as American football, that there is no goalie, and that kicking the ball (and/or each other) is not allowed.

There were a few obstacles that arose in the process of getting the league off of the ground. The biggest one was getting support from the community. Don’t get me wrong, Mom and Dad were all about little Paco having something to do in the afternoon, but when it came down to them coming to a practice or two to help me regulate a group of their neighborhood children, they were somehow always “busy.” (See future blog post about the difference between the North American and South American concept of “busy.”) I did find, however, two guys who were willing to give me a hand. One agreed to ref, and the other agreed to take over a team during tournaments. They are both enthusiastic about working with youth in the community and understand the game of basketball. So as far as sustainability goes, we are getting there.

The other obstacle I found was getting court time to practice. There are three teams from three different neighborhoods and each neighborhood has one basketball court that doubles as an indoor soccer facility. Every afternoon, young men (between 18 and 26 years of age) go to the courts to play pickup games of indoor soccer. The schedules of these matches just seem to always conflict with the times that I and the children have available to practice.

What should go down: I approach 25+ Ecuadorian men and explain the situation. We chuckle about our miscommunication and work out a schedule that makes everyone happy.

What really goes down: I attempt to talk to guy that I have deemed “the group leader.” He ignores me. I try to talk to the group collectively. They play around me. I finally get their attention and ask if there is any way that the kids can practice right now. The laugh and continue match. I go and get the old guy across the street. He tries to yell in the weakest old voice that you have ever heard for the men to give us the court. More laughter followed by the occasional obscene gesture. Repeat.

Communication has gotten better between the two groups but we still tend to but heads every once in awhile. (Imagine me, old guy, and a group of seven 10-year-olds standing the middle of the boys´ soccer match.)

 

Team San Vicente - Centro

Our first tournament was yesterday and I have to say I think it was pretty successful. We had about 12 parents attend (12 more than I expected), and about 30 kids who participated. There is no score board or game clock so we just play first team to 10 baskets wins, and half-time is when one of the team reaches 5 baskets. The kids were really into competing against/beating the other neighborhoods (wait, was the point of this to facilitate community, or to create a rivalry? Hmm…*shrugs shoulders*) and seemed to genuinely enjoy themselves. My future goals for the basketball program include the following:

1) Play tournament at the beginning of each month for the next 3 months.
2) Get Mom and Dad to come.
3) Charge an entrance fee of  25 to 50 cents to the last two tournaments.
4) Play for a championship.
5) Take winning team an hour-and-a-half north (with tourney $) to play the team of another Peace Corps Volunteer.
6) Win the state championship.