Last night marked a pivotal moment as 21 girls turned up for the Y12 Girls Spring Team tryouts, surpassing expectations. On Ouch, the coach, anticipated around 12-14 attendees, with only 9 expected returnees from last year. This surge prompted On Ouch to expand the club, resulting in two teams for the Y12 age group. Team Black, consisting of elite players, will be led by On Ouch alongside pro basketball assistant Cassandra Brown. Meanwhile, Team Blue will be helmed by On Ouch’s daughter, Aleeya Ouch, with basketball enthusiast Stefanee Fowler as co-coach.

On Ouch’s initiative to bolster the girls’ basketball community begins at an early age. He aims to launch a Little Hoopers Academy targeting grades 3-5 in the upcoming fall season. The primary goal is to introduce girls to basketball fundamentals such as dribbling, shooting, and footwork at a younger age. By mastering these basics before reaching the structured basketball programs in grade 6, girls can approach the sport with confidence rather than uncertainty. This proactive approach may help mitigate the drop-off in participation often observed in grades 9-10. By engaging girls in basketball from an early age, there’s a chance they’ll develop a passion for the game.

Recognizing the importance of mental fortitude in sports, On Ouch plans to incorporate mental coaching sessions to bolster girls’ confidence and resilience. Confidence plays a pivotal role in performance, and addressing mental aspects is often overlooked in basketball training.

Pre-registration for the fall academy is now open, with limited spots available due to venue constraints. Interested participants can secure their spots via girls basketball academy Vernon.

This proactive approach to nurturing young talent not only strengthens the girls’ basketball community but also equips players with essential skills and confidence for their athletic journey.