Nimma's Sports Summer

It's been a busy month in Nijmegen. Six months after opening the new basketball court with the alderman for sports, I'm back at the court on Dukerburg. Thanks to a great connection with neighborhood sports coach Bart and Daryl, who works for the municipality, I'm back. This time for the Nimma sports summer in Nijmegen. It's designed to give all children and young people who aren't going on vacation a sporting experience. They can try out freestyle and skills basketball (Showcase Basketball) on one half of the court, and freerunning (Mind & Motion) on the other. On the grassy knoll, children can create graffiti artwork and take it home.

I've brought along two top-notch individuals to help shape this day: Kim, a future Team Player and former elite basketball player at the Leiden Eredivisie, and Yamill, also a former elite basketball player who's actively involved in the SB ecosystem. We're loading up the Driving Experience bus. It's always fun when children can pop into the bus on location, and we need a lot of supplies to help us design the skills challenges.

After a two-hour drive, we arrive at the venue. The municipality has already set up several tents where we can drop off our belongings. The music starts, and people pour in. The field fills up in no time. My fun assignment is to talk about the day and gather questions about the Olympic Games. I ask the children if they know which sports are featured in the Olympics and which sports the Netherlands participates in.

Then it's SHOWTIME! A great way to show the youngsters what to expect that day. The group is divided into two, so they can first do one sport and then the other. Fully prepared for the heat, there are plenty of flavored waters and fruit along the field. After the workshops and skills challenges, it's time for the tournament. There are plenty of children who want to participate. Parents sit on the sidelines, cheering their children on. The fun part is that my nephew Giovianni was also there with his young children. His son is only 3 years old, but incredibly skillful with the ball and is therefore also participating in the skills challenge.

The tournament begins. The children get to choose a name for their team. I always enjoy this creative process and the original names that are created. Once we get to the finals, I get the audience involved. The music starts, and the enthusiastic parents join in the dance challenge. Their dance moves, passion, and enthusiasm are rewarded with a cap. Various people, young and old, compete against each other. It's a laugh-out-loud party. A few children do the macarena, and some unnamed moves are shown off. In the end, an older woman wins with an old-school Busta Rhymes song.

The tournament is won by two teams in different age categories, primarily soccer players. They get two hours of free practice at an LED sports hall near Zwanenbos.

We drive back in lovely sunshine and chat about the many highlights of the day at Nimma sports summer in Nijmegen.

http://www.nijmegen.nl