Category: Basketball

NS Hoops Coach Registration

Early and discounted registration for coaches’ players

The movers behind Nether-Swarthmore Hoops are the volunteer coaches, most of whom are parents of players. This year, registration will open early for coaches and their players along with a discounted registration fee. Many of our coaches have basketball experience but we need help from anyone available and willing to be involved at practices and games – even if in a supporting role. 

Without many NS Hoops volunteer coaches, the size of the league and the number of registered players will be limited. The goal is to have two coaches for every team so things are bit easier on individual coaches and there is coverage if a coach needs to miss a game or practice.  NS Hoops works with coaching pairs to schedule the best night for weekly practices.

Over the winter, the time commitment will be a 1-hour weekly evening practice scheduled Monday-Thursday and a 1 hour game on either Saturday or Sunday (depending on the division.) One exception – the Boys 10-12 Division does not have weekly coach led-practices but we need adults to coach the games.

Clearances: Under Pennsylvania law, anyone coaching must complete a criminal background check and child abuse clearances. You may not coach a practice or game until SRA has all your completed clearances on file.  For coaches who have lived in Pennsylvania for at least ten years, this is a fairly simple task that can be completed online. (We have instructions for your to follow.)  For coaches who have not lived in Pennsylvania for ten years, the process involves getting fingerprinted. Clearances are generally valid for five years.  If you have already submitted clearances for past seasons, we will be in touch if they have expired. Questions about background clearance should be directed to nika@swarthmorerecreation.org. 

Divisions Commissioners: We are also looking for Commissioners for most of the NS Hoops Divisions. Commissioners assist in the organization of the evaluations and team formation for each division, along with communication between NS Hoops and the coaches during the season.  If this is something you might be interested in helping with, please connect with amy@swarthmorerecreation.org.

For any other questions, reach out to amy@swarthmorerecreation.org.

PLEASE NOTE: If you sign up during this early registration period, you are committed to coaching a NS Hoops team this year including obtaining and submitting the necessary background clearance documents.

Cost: $145 for players of coaches and assistant coaches only.

Girls 2/3 Coach/Player Register Here

Girls 4/5 Coach/Player Register Here

Girls 6-8 Coach/Player Register Here

Boys 2/3 Coach/Player Register Here

Boys 4/5 Coach/Player Register Here

Boys 6/7 Coach/Player Register Here

Boys 8/9 Coach/Player Register Here

Boys 10-12 Coach/Player Register Here

Updated 2024.10.07

New Summer Camps, Lots More Fun

BY JANNA MURPHY

Swarthmore Recreation Association (SRA), launched two new, highly-anticipated camps at the start of August, one for budding basketball stars and the other for ultimate frisbee players.

More Moore Fun Basketball Camp, directed by Swarthmorean Durell Moore, focused primarily on building the campers’ skills and camaraderie. The campers spent most of their time on the basketball courts of Swarthmore Rutledge School under the direction of Mr. Moore.  “Camp is really good,” Mr. Moore said, still out of breath from running with the campers. Everett Miller, a camper on a water break, agreed completely.  “Camp’s pretty fun,” he said before rushing back onto the court. Campers Riley and Kabir were equally rushed in their responses, both affirming that camp was “good” before darting back to the action, all smiles and exhaustion.  The August camp was the second of two basketball camps run this summer by Mr. Moore in conjunction with SRA.  The camps, run by his coaches at More Moore FUNdamentals, were one more way that Mr. Moore, who is also an assistant varsity coach at Chester High School, has been working to improve the quality of basketball in Swarthmore and to improve Nether-Swarthmore Hoops, one of SRA’s marquee programs.  Mr. Moore also plans to host small group training sessions this fall for interested ball players.

On the other side of Swarthmore, on Rutgers Field, another new camp was underway, this one run by the Philadelphia Phoenix Ultimate team, a professional team based in Philadelphia and a member of the East Division of the American Ultimate Disc League (AUDL).  Phoenix players Morey Averill called the camp “a blast for all ages. Everyone has fun!”  The camp, the second of its kind this summer, consisted of skills training for players of all ability levels and plenty of chances to chat with friends and Phoenix players as well.   Camper Marco Flower said the camp “helped me become a better ultimate frisbee player.” Desmond Fuccillo, who is new to the sport, said “It’s amazing. I’ve learned lots of different kinds of throws and techniques.” Jacob Sacker said that the camp is “a fun way to learn,” and Nathan Sacker explained the camp’s main technique for teaching as “each game helps you with one thing.” Plus, there’s nothing quite like learning from a professional player.  At the end of the day, campers gathered around the Phoenix players to gather signatures on their camp shirts.  The Phoenix will be back in Swarthmore this fall for Advanced Ultimate Frisbee Clinics for middle and high school players.

President Clinton Arrives at SRS to promote Grand Opening of the Hoops Renaissance Courts

Bill Clinton describing the Grand Opening of the Hoops Renaissance Courts on April 30th.  “There will be a hot shot contest, a slam dunk contest, Rita’s water ice, and most importantly my fellow American Tim Kearney with the honorable “first shot”.   The festivities will start at Noon.  The former President has allegedly changed his speaking schedule to participate in the dunk contest, which should start around 1PM, saying “With the rim lowered to 8 feet, I think I can dunk as well as Kevin Newsome”.

Bill Clinton describing the Grand Opening of the Hoops Renaissance Courts on April 30th

SRS Hoops Renaissance

 

Outdoor Courts!
Outdoor Courts!

A sustainable renaissance in basketball has begun in the Swarthmore Wallingford community.   The previous community outdoor courts are in disrepair and unsafe. We believe the community should have a great outdoor facility where kids will want to go to play hoops or participate in other outdoor activities. The renovated courts are completed and have already provided a much needed place for community members of all ages to play pickup games.