Weyburn's annual basketball camp, commonly known as Heatwave Hoops, is returning to the Weyburn Comprehensive School gym from Monday, July 10 to Friday, July 14.

As in past years, there will be three age classes for students. Workshops for children in grades 3 and 4 will be held in the mornings at Assiniboia Park Elementary School. Seminars for students in grades 5 and 6 will be held in the afternoons at Weyburn Junior High.

A high-intensity workshop for students in grades 7 through 12 will be held in the mornings, afternoons and evenings at the Weyburn Comprehensive School.

Len Williams, Zone 1 Basketball co-ordinator and Weyburn Comprehensive School teacher, heads a large group of guest instructors who will take part in this camp.

Other instructors will include Weyburn Comprehensive School teacher and senior girls basketball coach Gary Frederickson, Comp alumnus and former University of Winnipeg guard Amy Ferner, Lyndale School teacher and basketball coach Scott Bansley, Comp alumnus, Gull Lake teacher and basketball coach Curtis Norman, Comp alumnus and University of Saskatchewan student Amanda Steer, and Pangman School teacher and basketball coach Andrea Tessier. More guest instructors may be added.

"The quality of instruction is very high at this camp," said Williams.

Basic fundamentals will be covered in various formats throughout the week. Students can expect to begin the week by learning one-on-one fundamentals and will progress as the week goes on to playing five-on-five scrimmages on Friday.

"I don't care if they're good or not," Williams said of his students. "I just want kids who want to learn the game and improve their fundamentals."

Because of the camp's reputation, students from a wide area are expected to attend. Williams added some of his students schedule their holidays around the camp so they can take part. On one occasion a student came from Arizona, but usually the drawing area is about a 75-kilometre radius from Weyburn.

Williams said the camps have helped increase the number of students playing basketball and their skill level while playing the game.

"I think it's helped everyone because the kids get exposed to the fundamentals," said Williams. "At one time, finding basketball hoops on garages or at homes was like finding a needle in a haystack. Now it's like the U.S., where every second house seems to have one."

Registration fees for students in grades 7 through 12 are $80 per student, which includes 34 hours of instruction. Students in grades 5 and 6 will receive 15 hours of instruction for $50 per student. Children in grades 3 and 4 will also receive 15 hours of instruction for $40 per student.

For more information, contact Len Williams.