ZUNI, NM (Feb. 14, 2024) — The Zuni Youth Enrichment Project is actively recruiting 45 community coaches and 200 youth participants ages 7-12 for its eagerly anticipated 2024 Basketball League. The most popular of ZYEP’s Youth Sport leagues, the basketball program is made possible with support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the New Mexico Department of Health, Nike, and the Zuni Public School District.
Registration will close no later than Mar. 1, although ZYEP staff anticipate all slots will be full prior to the end of February. Coach training will take place on the weekend of Mar. 1-2, ZYEP will host Family Info Night on Mar. 6, and the eight-week season will run from Mar. 18 to May 10.
“We’re projecting to have 20 teams, with 10 in the Shiwi League for 7- to 9-year-olds, and 10 in the Zuni League for 10- to 12-year-olds,” said Tyler Sice, ZYEP’s physical activity coordinator. “We’ll hold practices twice per week, with games on Friday evenings.”
On the first day of the coach training, this season’s coaches will review the new handbook, which incorporates critical topics such as mental health and protecting children from abuse as well as basic basketball skills and fundamentals. On the second day, they will get hands-on, on-the-court training.
“This also will be a great opportunity for coaches to get to know one another and learn from one another,” Sice said.
When asked what motivated him to get involved with the youth basketball league at ZYEP, Coach Brandon Rosetta said he was inspired by a real-life hero.
“This hero showed me, ‘You can be a hero too — go out there and make a positive difference in someone’s life,” he explained. “So for me, yes, I also wanted to be a hero and give kids a happy, positive vibe. Knowing I’m a big help brings me smiles. It’s just the best feeling ever, and I hope I can inspire others as well.”
“The thing that inspires me to be a youth coach is to give back, not only to the community but to our youth as well,” said Coach Tanisha Boone. “My inspiration is to be be a good role model for the youth.
“Everyone wants to become a better basketball player, and I am here to help them with the experience I have in playing basketball,” she continued. “I’m excited for the season because of the new faces I will see, and because I will see each individual become a more successful player by the end of the season.”
At the Family Info Night on Mar. 6, attendees will view a PowerPoint presentation and have an opportunity to meet this year’s coaches. During the presentation, players and family members will learn about ZYEP’s water policy and water challenge; the importance of drinking water (k’ya:kok’shi); ZYEP’s positive poster initiative; promoting resiliency at home; and an overview of the season, with expectations and the practice and game schedules.
When the season officially begins on Monday, Mar. 18, the Shiwi and Zuni divisions will practice twice a week at Shiwi Ts’ana Elementary School and Zuni Middle School, respectively. Game nightswill take place at Zuni High School on Fridays.
Through its Youth Sport initiative, ZYEP connects with more than 500 youth annually. In addition to basketball, young people also are able to take advantage of seasonal leagues in T-ball, soccer and flag football. More importantly, they have access to mentorship through ZYEP’s staff and coaches, camaraderie with teammates throughout the leagues, and powerful community spirit.
To learn more about the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project and its programs, and for information about making donations, partnering with ZYEP, and volunteering, call (505) 782-8000 or visit zyep.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest news and events, follow the nonprofit youth organization on Facebook (/zuniyouthenrichmentproject), Instagram (@zuniyouthenrichmentproject), YouTube (/ZuniYouth), and TikTok (/zyep09)
Founded in 2009, the nonprofit Zuni Youth Enrichment Project is dedicated to promoting resilience among Zuni youth so they will grow into strong, healthy adults who are connected with Zuni traditions. ZYEP fulfills its mission by providing positive role models, enriching programs, and nurturing spaces that contribute to the healthy development of Zuni youth. ZYEP strives to provide every child with the encouragement and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
