Park View hoops team planning overseas road trip
Boys will travel to Slovenia for IB tournament
Park View Education Centre's boys' basketball team is planning one heck of a road trip.
"This will be something they'll remember for a lifetime," said coach Eric Dolliver about the Panthers' intentions to travel to Nova Gorica, Slovenia, for an International Baccalaureate (IB) hoops tournament next November.
It's a part of Europe the South Shore Regional School Board has had a long-time connection with.
"We've had administrator exchanges, teacher exchanges and student groups go there."
The catalyst for this trip was an invitation to a tournament in Portugal last year.
"Within a week of receiving that, I ran into a former teacher and coach here at Park View, Dave Cook, and he's one of the people who's been highly involved with these Slovenian exchanges. I mentioned to him this invitation. We couldn't do it, but I told him I was interested in doing a fairly big trip this year. I knew he was a great thinker and idea man, so I left it with him."
Mr. Cook then arranged an invitation to this tournament at an IB school in Nova Gorica.
"They've built a new super gymnasium which I believe professional handball and basketball teams play out of, and they're looking to have some sort of major tournament for their facility," said Mr. Dolliver.
The plan is to spend 15 days in Slovenia, and visit nearby Italy and perhaps Switzerland, too.
Slovenia's capital is where former Raptor Rasho Nesterovic is from, and bordering northern Italy is home to former number 1 overall draft pick Andrea Bargnani.
"So we're trying to make a connection with the Raptors and see if there's any kind of contacts that can be made through them. We've also been told we'll possibly be playing before some pro games over there. They have quite a large professional league, so we'll be meeting some of their teams."
There will also be educational opportunities.
"We'll be going to some of their national historic sites and geographic sites, and there's quite an amazing cave system we've been told about."
Meanwhile, the team needs to fundraise about $2,000 per student.
Among numerous fundraising events, the team will play a game against Sir John A. Macdonald at the Metro Centre following a Halifax Rainmen game on February 15, and are planning an alumni day with a lobster cold plate supper and an auction on April 25.
"We already have a LeBron James jersey that's been initialled by him and we're working on a number of other items as well."
For more information, or to contribute in any way, contact Mr. Dolliver at 541-8207.
"We're trying to provide the trip of a lifetime for these kids, and any help people can provide would be appreciated."
Source:
http://southshorenow.ca/archives/2009/012709/sports/index004.php
