Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Councilmembers Jewell and Newbille invite all to join Champions Youth Basketball Camp Award Ceremonies in Richmond and Petersburg

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, VA 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Wednesday, 27 July 2011

Councilmembers Jewell and Newbille invite all to join Champions Youth Basketball Camp Award Ceremonies in Richmond and Petersburg

Limited Richmond slots open on first-come/first served-basis: Free camp for boys and girls, ages 9-13; Celebrating 5th-year in Richmond

WHAT (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A; July 15, 2011) -- The Honorable Marty Jewell, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Central 5th District, and The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, East End 7th District, invite the community to attend the Champions Youth Developmental Basketball Camp Awards Ceremonies in Petersburg and Richmond. The events will celebrate the success of the week-long free basketball camps held this week for youth (boys and girls) ages 9-13 in Petersburg and Richmond.

These week-long camps were free and included 100 participants per location. Each student received free breakfast and lunch, basketballs, expert instruction, t-shirts, school supplies and awards. Each camp will include 100 students.

WHEN/ Petersburg Camp Ceremony (Thur., July 28, 2011: 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.)
WHERE Petersburg Public Schools - Petersburg High School; 3101Johnson Road
Petersburg, Virginia

Richmond Camp Ceremony (Fri., July 29, 2011: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
Richmond Public Schools - Armstrong High School; 2300 Cool Lane
Richmond/Henrico County, Virginia

CONTACT For more information (not registration), please contact Mike Pearson, President/ Founder, Friends Helping Friends, at 804. 405.4472, or Dr. Leon Wright Bey, Camp Director, at 804.536.6394, lwbey@msn.com (email).

BACKGROUND
Established by the nonprofit organization Friends Helping Friends, which is led by Founder/President, Mike Pearson, Champions Youth Developmental Basketball Camp (CDBC) began in Petersburg, Virginia in 2005 and focuses on holistic youth skills development and includes: Basketball, Academic, Life and Leadership (BALL) education.

CDBC is produced by the nonprofit organization, Friends Helping Friends, Petersburg Department of Parks and Leisure Services, and through the leadership of Director Tami Yerby, and Camp Director Dr. Leon Wright Bey of Virginia State University, who previously served as Virginia State University's (VSU) Women’s Basketball Coach and Athletic Director.

In addition to the support provided by a variety of sponsors, key to the success of these camps is the help of numerous high school and collegiate basketball coaches; current/former athletes, educators, administrators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, who serve as clinicians, motivational speakers, and support staff.

Assistance in bringing this camp to Richmond included, but was not limited to, support by The Honorable Marty Jewell, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Central 5th District, The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, East End 7th District, Richmond Department of Parks and Recreation; Dr. Howard Hopkins, Athletic Director, Richmond City Public Schools' Armstrong High School (AHS); Darryl Watts, AHS Head Coach for Boys Basketball; and former local high school and Virginia State University Head Football Coach, Lou Anderson.

Important assistance was provided over the years by the (now) retired Athletic Director of Richmond City Public Schools' Armstrong High School (AHS), Randy Ashe.

The 2011 Camps were held as follows:

Richmond Camp: MONDAY, JULY 25, 2011– FRIDAY July 29, 2011
8:00 A.M. – NOON – Armstrong High School; 2300 Cool Lane

Petersburg Camp: MONDAY, JULY 25, 2011 – THURSDAY, July 28, 2011 - 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. - Petersburg High School; 3101Johnson Road

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______________________________________
Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
____________________________________________

MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.

VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.