Going through hoops is often seen as a pointless exercise, but it's a motion that will delight York's basketball missionaries.

The sport, which first originated in America, is on the rim of a revival in York, where cock-a-hoop dreams are gaining credence.

Only last month the Yorkshire League Cup-winning York University Basketball Club announced a revamp, which will take its stars into two highly-competitive arenas next season - the Doncaster League and the Leeds League.

Now the projected growth of the sport has been given extra stimulus by the new York Basketball Forum, formed on an initiative of the City of York Council.

Supported by the English Basketball Association (EBBA) a basketball development plan has been drawn up to be advanced by the YBF.

Dave Smith, an EBBA advanced coach, is secretary of the Forum, which consists of representatives the of Council's Leisure Services department, schools, colleges and other basketball enthusiasts.

All have contributed to a range of initiatives aimed at helping basketball develop in York and affording opportunities for York players to play at higher levels.

The York Forum will monitor the development plan to try to ensure the sport grows apace through next year and into the Millennium.

"In England basketball has been slow to take off, but it is now happening and there are many youngsters involved in the sport in York, either at school, or playing on the increasing number of outdoor courts," declared Smith, a coach of long-standing National League experience with the former Calderdale Express team.

The latest of outdoor facilities is at Fulford School, following EBBA's Outdoor Basketball Initiative to have 10,000 outdoor courts up and running in England by the year 2000.

Among the Forum's developments is the 'York international basketball camp' comprising five days of basketball at the Burnholme Community College from Monday, July 27 to Friday July 31 for boys and girls aged from nine to 19.

In the same week there will be a free basketball clinic at the University College of Ripon and York St John at its Croft Gym on Wednesday, July 29, from 7pm to 9pm, given by Jeff Rekeweg, head coach of the University of Saint Francis, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The only player to appear in every game for Nebraska Huskers during university, Rekeweg moved to Ireland, where he played professionally for a year and was one of two Americans to figure in the national Irish team.

On his return to the States he played in the Pro-Am League in Los Angeles before taking up the Indiana post as full-time. He is currently one of the youngest head coaches in the United States.

It is this sort of expertise that will benefit York players, said Smith, who is off to America himself in September.

During his basketball sabbatical he will draw a list of contacts, which may enable talented York youngsters to play in the heartland of the sport.

Said Smith, whose long-term ambition was to see a National League side thrive in York: "It would be really sad if a youngster from York was not able to come back to represent his home city."

Before such a lofty goal basketball had to first prosper at grassroots level involving schoolchildren and properly-trained coaches.

Added Smith: "We are setting up an infrastructure so as to get it right from the bottom. Children need to be taught how best to play.

We need to start a system of getting decent coaches."

To that end the Forum envisages 'performance squads' at under-13, under-15 and under-19 levels to represent the city, plus a target of involving every York school in a York and Selby Schools League.

Coaching opportunities for youngsters aged between 16 and 19 as 'counsellors', and for physical education teachers already committed to the sport, will be available at the 'international camp' to be held later this month.

Added Smith: "The image of basketball is changing and we have to help change people's perceptions of it too.

"As more young people get to play the game as part of the national curriculum then they will become the players, spectators, administrators and coaches of the future.

"We have set good foundations in York and there is every chance of basketball continuing to grow and become even more popular."For full details of coaching or counsellor courses, the Jeff Rekeweg clinic, or the international basketball camp, contact Dave Smith on York 431161, or Colin Raper, the YBF chairman, on York 623261. CHANCE TO PLAY A LEADING ROLE

There are openings for 'counsellors' at the York International basketball camp.

Open to players aged between 16 and 19, counsellors will attend the July 27-31 camp to be coached individually and as a group, play as a team at the camp, and help coach and assist in refereeing towards EBBA awards. Counsellors would attend the camp free of charge.

There are also opportunities for PE teachers with expertise in basketball to attend the camp as a coach.

It will enable candidates also to complete part of the EBBA coaching award under the supervision of an EBBA advanced coach or tutor.

see BASKETBALL 'Boom-time for York basketball'

see COMMENT 'The benefits of sport for all'

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