Former NBA star John Amaechi has launched a nationwide competition to offer 10 days of his coaching services entirely free to registered clubs and coaches in English basketball.
The competition has been launched with a video, “Are You Willing to Pay the F.E.E.?” (focus, effort, execution), featuring Amaechi’s personal message to all young up-and-coming basketball players in the UK and calling on them to enter the competition to win a free coaching day with the basketball legend.
The competition is John’s personal response to the withdrawal of all elite-level funding for basketball earlier this year by UK Sport.
John said: “I see the frustrated talent around the UK: coaches and players both, who want to chase greatness, but find themselves fighting against the odds. I want to help play a part by providing a bit of inspiration and working with players and coaches in their own towns and cities to spread best practices. I hope this can become an annual event so that more and more people can win a chance to expand their basketball knowledge.”
Ten clubs are in with a chance of winning a day with Amaechi – which will include a visit by the basketball legend to the club and a “Coaches’ Chalk Talk”, followed by an on-the-floor ‘coach the coaches’ session focused on the psychological, interpersonal and technical skills considered as best practices for developing talent. The afternoon will focus on a session with the players.
To be in with a chance of winning, all a player needs to do is record a video response to John’s competition video (view here) explaining why they, their teammates and club want and deserve the opportunity to learn and improve and exactly how they have and will show themselves willing to pay the F.E.E. (Focus, Effort, Execution) and be the best player possible.
A simple video filmed on an iPhone or webcam is fine – once you’ve uploaded your response, just copy and paste the URL into the comments on his competition video here.
The most creative, heartfelt and honest entries will be in with a chance of winning. The contest will be closed on August 10 with the visits starting soon after.
For more information about John Amaechi, CLICK HERE: