A sport, a club: basketball with RCM Ballerz
Running, dribbling and shooting – from Michael Jordan to LeBron James, via Victor Wembanyama – basketball players are a source of fascination. But for RCM Ballerz, basketball isn’t just about what happens on the court. Listening, following instructions and finding your place within a team are rules just as important as those of the game.
For the past ten years or so, the RCM Ballerz association has been training young basketball players with one aim in mind: “to offer them a space where they can flourish through sport”. Chaired by Kiani Amour, it has around a hundred registered members, of whom “more than 90 per cent are aged between 5 and 18”, he explains. Since the start of the last academic year, the club has also had a senior women’s 3x3 basketball team.
From what age and who is it for?
RCM Ballerz welcomes children from the age of 5, in the U7 category. At this age, they become familiar with the ball, learn to understand the court and how to move around the space. “We organise games that will help them become seasoned basketball players later on,” explains Kiani Amour. In the U9s, players are introduced to competition through inter-club matches. From the U11s onwards, they compete in the local league every weekend, before progressing to the U13, U15 and U18 categories. The senior women’s 3x3 basketball team, meanwhile, aims to take part in competitions outside the island and make its mark in the world championship. This project requires funding for the club, which is currently seeking a financial partner. The players recently finished second at the ‘Women’s Games’ in the Dominican Republic.
What are the benefits?
Basketball develops physical fitness, discipline and team spirit. In a generation heavily exposed to screens, Kiani Amour emphasises that it is essential for young people to “get out, be on the courts and play sport”. Starting basketball at a young age helps build a solid foundation, but it is above all regular practice that enables players to improve. “After two or three years of playing, you can clearly see positive progress,” argues the president of RCM Ballerz. Each age group has two training sessions a week, whilst matches take place at the weekend. Several young players have also joined the Centre for Excellence and Education through Sport (CEES), which brings together the region’s most promising young athletes.
Club news
During the summer, training sessions are suspended. The club then prepares for the coming season by renewing membership licences and welcoming new members. RCM Ballerz will be present at the Back-to-School Forum, but anyone wishing to join can contact the club and register now.
Training sessions and kit
The U13s to U18s train from Monday to Friday between 5.30 pm and 7.30 pm. The U7s, U9s and U11s have one session on Wednesday afternoons and a second on Friday evenings. Saturdays are reserved for matches. The senior women’s team, meanwhile, train on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Sessions are led by trained volunteers, with support from the club’s technical director and a coach, both of whom are qualified. The club provides the balls and all the equipment needed for training. Players simply need to bring suitable football boots, sportswear and a bottle of water.
Registration and fees
The annual fee is €120 for everyone. This includes the licence, insurance and a training shirt. Families may be asked to contribute towards travel costs, particularly to Saint-Barthélemy, where the teams play against Pelican’s Basket Club St Barth several times a season. Further information: 06 90 81 86 05 or by email: rcmballerz97150@gmail.com
