Deborah is making a difference

14 Oct 2014

As a Director of Cheshire Phoenix Basketball Club, Deborah Nash works on a voluntary basis to assist in the running of a professional basketball team and (more importantly) get involved with community activities

Deborah, who is Office Manager in Manchester Medical School Administration, works with the Chester-based community interest company to run sessions promoting “Hoops 4 Health” initiatives (combining basketball with practical healthy living advice for young people).

One of the most enjoyable events of the season is the Summer Camp, which typically takes place in August when all the volunteers at the Club take a week’s annual leave to look after around 250 campers. First held in 1986 (Deborah hasn't been involved since then!), the Summer Camp is recognised as one of the biggest and best camps in Europe.

The age range is from seven to 18 years and during the week participants are given the tools not only to enhance their basketball skills, but also to develop a healthy lifestyle and make informed choices (e.g. about education, nutrition, smoking, drugs, alcohol, etc), build self-esteem and confidence, have mutual respect for oneself and others – to simply “be the best you can be!”

Campers travel from all over the UK and there are also international participants (from Turkey, UAE, Ireland, Spain, France and elsewhere), which adds another dimension and enables members to understand and appreciate those with different backgrounds, beliefs and cultures.

The most enjoyable part? After all the hard work, seeing Club members receive awards for their accomplishments, watching them leaving for home as better players, exchanging contact details with old and new found friends, having more confidence in themselves and their abilities. And looking forward to welcoming them back again!