Jr. NBA Program launches new 'Coach of the Year' award in PHL

CEBU, Philippines - The Jr. NBA Philippines Program has expanded tremendously in the last four year and this year marks a new addition with the first-ever search for the Jr. NBA Coach of the Year.

Now, not only young players, but their coaches can get the recognition they deserve for their contribution to basketball development. The winning coaches get to participate in an authentic NBA experience alongside the 50 best young players in the country as part of the 2011 Jr. NBA National Training Camp program presented by Alaska.

The Coach of the Year Award recognizes the important work done by coaches to grow the sport of basketball in the Philippines and promote the Jr. NBA S.T.A.R. values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect to young athletes.

Players, coaches and school officials, can nominate a coach whom they feel is deserving of the award by virtue of his or her dedication to the sport and his mentorship of young basketball players.

Judging will be based on the nominees’ commitment to coaching over the past 12 months, commitment to the S.T.A.R. values and their players participation in the Jr. NBA Program over the past year.

Nominations for the Coach of the Year Award are free of charge and can be done online at www.jrnba.com.ph. Nomination forms may also be downloaded, printed and e-mailed or personally submitted to TeamComm ([email protected], [email protected]. Or call 09177913924 and 09228994714). Deadline for submission is on March 14.

A selection committee from NBA and Jr. NBA presenting partner Alaska Milk, will review all nominations and select ten (10) finalists. Selected coaches will be given an all-expense paid trip to Manila to attend the Jr. NBA National Training Camp on April 9-12 and will have a chance to be trained exclusively by NBA Legend AC Green, US-based Jr. NBA Coach Frank Lopez, NBA Asia Director of Basketball Operations Jama Mahlalela.

The Coach of the Year will be chosen on the last day of the National Training Camp and will serve as an assistant coach of the Jr. NBA Philippine All-Star team for their upcoming international competition.

Since 2008, the Jr. NBA Program has been offering free coaches clinics and basketball instruction to coaches around the country as part of its commitment to basketball development in the Philippines. (FREEMAN)