YMCA World Basketball Challenge Hoop Springs Eternal

The opening shot, Philani Mabaso from SPAR Amazulu FC was the first participant to stand on the line shooting a hoop to get into the Guinness World Records at the YMCA Hoop Springs Eternal down in Albert Park.

Inspector Luke Kalidin from the Albert Park Metro Police gears up to shoot a hoop at the YMCA Hoop Springs Eternal.

Kristin Degou from PeacePlayers International shows a young ball player the steps.

The interest, the queue to shoot a hoop.

Participating in the Guinness World Record attempt, Olympic Marathon Runner from Kloof, Tanith Maxwell is pictured shooting a hoop at the YMCA Hoop Springs Eternal on Saturday in Albert Park. Durban had two venues where people were able to shoot a hoop and tallied up a total of 1,925 people in the global basketball challenge. South Africa had four centres participating, Soweto, Athlone in Cape Town and Student Y at the Howard Campus joined Albert Park in the challenge. Maxwell was number 167 to shoot a hoop, having arrived early to participate and Olympic Hockey Player and current South African captain Lenise Marais joined in the fun activities being number 773 to be recorded to shoot.

Participating in the global basketball challenge, Albert Park residents Jared Anthony (12 years old) and Nicholas Govender (10 years old) enjoyed the day’s activities at the YMCA Hoop Springs Eternal. 1,925 people in Durban took part in the Guinness World Record attempt that had over 70 countries around the world enjoying the sport that the YMCA invented.

Saturday’s Guinness World Record basketball attempt saw a variety of games being played, pictured here is Timo Nzombo from Albert Park United as he goes high in an effort pass during the game against the PeacePlayers International. Americans Kyler McClary and Kristin Degou defend as the Albert Park United player attacks in the exhibition game at the YMCA Hoop Springs Eternal global basketball challenge.

Young and old all lined up to shoot a hoop on the day.

Debby Van Der Heerver dribbles the ball up in a fun game at the YMCA Hoop Springs Eternal global basketball challenge, the Bluff resident was part of the Guinness World Record attempt.

Olympic hockey player and current South African captain, Lenise Marias smiles before shooting a hoop during the Guinness World Record attempt, Marias was the 773th person to shoot at Albert Park at the YMCA Hoop Springs Eternal.

  

YMCA World Challenge Hoop Springs Eternal

Durban: Albert Park: 13 October

A fabulously successful day saw hundreds of people of all walks of life come down to Albert Park to participate in the YMCA Hoop Springs Eternal global basketball challenge.

The aim of the fun filled day was to be entered into the Guinness World Record where YMCA’s from around the world, starting in New Zealand and finishing up in Hawaii, aimed to welcome 5 million people to attempt to shoot a hoop.

The YMCA who invented basketball in 1871 had over 70 countries participating around the world with four centres in South Africa including Student Y at Howard College UKZN and YMCA Central in Albert Park. The number of people that supported the record attempt is over 3 thousand with 925 recorded at Albert Park and 1,000 people at Student Y. The record attempt also included two South African Olympic athletes, Marathon Runner Tanith Maxwell and Hockey Player and current captain, Lenise Marais who both successfully stood on the line, effortlessly finding the centre of the hoop.

The theme of the day was basketball and new comers to the game were treated to a coaching session by the American based Basketball organisation, the PeacePlayers International, as well as watching them in action in an invitational game between the PeacePlayers International and Albert Park United.

Rev Ian Booth CEO of Greater Durban YMCA enthused, “We are astounded by the response of people who came down to participate. Young and old all lined up and were counted.”

Talking about if the Guinness World Record had successfully been broken, Booth continued, “We await the news. The World Alliance of YMCA in Geneva is gathering all the tallies from across the globe. I know that Argentina managed to get over 20,000 people and the Czech Republic recorded 1,174 people. Once the documentation is handed over to the Guinness Book of Records, they have 16 weeks to analyse, so the process is lengthy!”

Close to two thousand people from Durban joined five continents, 96 cities and thousands of fun spirited people in a global celebration of basketball in the hope of creating a Guinness World Record.

YMCA World Basketball Challenge Hoop Springs Eternal

  

Durban: Albert Park: 13 October

Five continents, 96 cities, one day all with one aim, to mobilise 5 million people during a global celebration of shooting hoops in an attempt to create a Guinness World Record on 13 October with the YMCA World Challenge Hoop Springs Eternal.

Basketball originated at the YMCA in 1891. A physical education teacher, Canadian-born James Naismith invented the game when he took a soccer ball and a peach basket into the YMCA gym, thus a new game was born.

The YMCA event will take place in thousands of local communities around the world highlighting a global basketball shoot-out that starts in New Zealand, and ends in Hawaii following the time zone progression. The day’s activities will be connected by live broadcasting and other forms of social media during the day, creating a link with various communities and cultures.

The official count will be around how many people are shooting basketballs on the day, not the actual scoring of the goals.

Rev Ian Booth, CEO of the Greater Durban YMCA stated, “We are hoping that everyone coming to Albert Park will be brave enough to shoot a hoop. The whole day is going to be extremely colourful, along with some competitive action on the court.”

“The day is about fun, but also an opportunity to display what the YMCA is all about. The message we would like to achieve is; make a contribution, get involved in your communities, there are some great things happening. We are creating a safe space for young people,” Booth echoed.

In South Africa, YMCA Athlone in Cape Town will be participating in this record attempt. The common element on the day will be basketball but a number of other attractions will keep the crowd entertained.   In Durban, the day will involve activities for all ages; basketball skill development, friendly basketball games, entertainment, food and tons of fun organised by Greater Durban YMCA.

The International Federation of Basketball (FIBA) and UNESCO are worldwide supporters of the initiative.

The events will be open to everyone. Come down to Albert Park and shoot a hoop, making global history at the YMCA Hoop Springs Eternal Global Challenge on 13 October. 

For more info contact: Thandeka Ntshangase on thandeka@saymca.org.za or 031 305 4496

To follow the event on Facebook like our page South Africa YMCA or Twitter on YMCA_SA

        

Chatting to an Olympic Hockey Player - Lenise Marais

Two weeks, 193 athletes, 20 sports, 6 medals and countless memories, the South African Olympic team sure made our country extremely proud, one member of the team was Montclair’s Lenise Marais who participated in the women’s hockey, returning with their best result in an Olympics, finishing tenth overall.

“It was a truly memorable occasion, being there with my team through it all. I shall cherish the memories.” a smiling Marais shared.

“The Opening Ceremony was magical. Seeing the torch being lit was a tingling experience.”

Having competed at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, Marais commented, “London did well! There were obviously some differences but overall we were all very impressed! Beijing will always be very special to me; it was my first Olympics so experiencing all my Olympic firsts. But having the honour of competing at both was fantastic!”

Marais, who plays in the defence, wearing jersey number 21, said “All the games at the Olympics are tough. We opened up our Olympic campaign against Argentina who won the silver medal, and it didn’t get any easier after that.”

“Our final pool game against USA, we managed a convincing win which gave us a bounce in our step. One of my best moments during the Olympics would have to be saving a ball flying into the goal off the line, got the heart pumping and boosted my confidence.”

“It was a sweet feeling not having to play the eleventh and twelfth classification match and our performance means that we have now jumped up to number ten in the world rankings, now that is an achievement! Obviously we have seen which areas we need to work more on and will do that. But as mentioned, a move up the table is very rewarding, now for a few more places.” she smiles mischievously.

The hockey world had the opportunity to play on the brightly coloured pink and blue pitch, which we as viewers sitting at home battled to keep track of the ball, Marias laughed, “We played and trained on the pink and blue turf before the tournament so we were ok with it. Friends did message me complaining that they struggled to keep an eye on the ball watching TV, and when I watched the game on TV could see what they meant.”

Chatting about her time off between games, “Off the pitch, in and around the Olympic Village, I had the opportunity to meet Roger Federer; he was very nice and let us take a team photo with him. I also spotted Serena Williams, the Italian tennis player Francesca Schiavone, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, a few American swimmers and Steve Waugh and John Eales who were travelling with the Australian team. Certainly sporting icons were everywhere!”

“We were lucky enough to be able to rest for a bit after all of our pool games giving us the opportunity to see some sights, shopped a little, the exchange rate guarantees that and even went to the theatre.”

Having been away from home since May, she is slowly getting used to normal life, with the hockey season in full swing she intends to get back into the swing of things shortly.  “Hopefully we can win the upcoming Champions Challenge and move into the Champions Trophy event with the intention of staying there. I would have to say that would have to be my next goal.”

Asked how she would encourage young up and coming players, she assures, “Preparation is vital. Surround yourself with people who can help you with this, and push you. If you choose for it, then go full out.”

Marais, who is a teacher at Durban Girls’ High School certainly lives the Olympic motto of Inspire a Generation, concluding she states, “My legacy, flip.” Pondering she then continues, “I’m just a hockey player trying my best to do what is necessary and best for my team, all the time!”