The mission of the Cayman Islands Hoopsters is: To train select athletes between the ages of 10-18 yrs. through the provision of travel experiences overseas which afford opportunities for future pathways in higher education and sports pursuits. This Travel Team has been operating under the leadership of Coach Daniel Augustine (also known as ‘Coach D’) since January 2012. Upon its inception, two
parents assumed the responsibility as assistant coaches; a volunteer served as Manager; a parent volunteered to keep record of funds collected and spent; and another parent ensured that communications are sent as necessary and information is recorded. At a Parent Meeting in September 2013, an Executive Committee was elected to assist Coach D in the organization of matters pertaining to the Travel Team. Prior to this, the Youth Development Basketball Program - YDBP (which was launched at the Lions Community Center over 17 years ago, and now operates out of the Kings’ Sports Centre) provided training for the boys at a younger age. Since the YDBP does not cater to athletes over the age of 16 yrs., Coach D saw it necessary to form the Cayman Islands Hoopsters. The Hoopsters provides training in technical and developmental basketball skills, and life skills are also imparted in an effort to holistically develop our young athletes to become better citizens. These athletes are supported in setting their personal goals, not only in skills of the sport but also in terms of their academics, social behavior and well being. In July 2012, Coach D introduced two new Camps to the Varsity and Junior Varsity Under19 athletes - Billy Mims Basketball Camp held at Florida Tech, Melbourne, Florida; and Five Star Camp, held at University of Central Florida (UCF) Arena in Orlando, Florida. Nine (9) athletes participated in Camps in 2012 and seventeen (17) participated in the Camps in 2013. In 2014, it is anticipated that as many as 45 basketball athletes will attend overseas Camps. There are athletes from this Travel Team who are now overseas attending High School in various parts of the U.S., and are actively participating in their Varsity Basketball leagues. These boys will transition on to pursue a college career and remain active participants in the Cayman Islands Hoopsters during their holiday visits in Cayman. Attendance at overseas Camps annually has proven to be a valuable training ground that has provided an optimum experience for all our athletes, especially prior to attending school in the U.S.A. In addition to our U19 boys participating in the above-mentioned Summer Camps, the U19 boys will attend the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Tournament in March 2014, and the Under 12 girls are preparing to attend the Youth Basketball of America (YBOA) Camp in July 2014. To date, funding for the Cayman Islands Hoopsters has been through fundraisers spearheaded by parents, and sponsorship from local companies.
