Luke Holmes may be a midfielder for the UNBC men's soccer team, but on Sunday, he's switching playing surfaces to the hard wood.
Holmes, a Duchess Park secondary graduate who played both soccer and basketball during high school, is helping out at a co-ed camp at PGSS for as many as 60 Grade 6-10 players from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All proceeds will go toward helping PGSS Grade 12 student Leora Wildi, who is dealing with continual health issues resulting from her battle with cancer.
Wildi was diagnosed with Leukemia in December of 2009 when she was 14 years old. She had a bone marrow transplant in 2010. Because of the treatment, including radiation, as well as chronic Graft versus Host disease resulting from the bone marrow transplant, Wildi's tendons and muscles are tightening and joints are stiffening as a result of a secondary condition called avascular necrosis, causing great pain and limited mobility.
The basketball camp will help athletes improve the fundamental skills they need to compete at the high school level.
They'll also learn how to become leaders on and off the court and the mindset they will need.
Holmes jumped at the chance when the call came from PGSS coaches Nav Parmar and Chandan Sangha.
"It's such a great cause, I'm looking forward to working with everybody and I'm glad Nav and Chandan made this happen," said Holmes. "Anytime you're able to help someone [for example Wildi] through basketball, it's great."
UNBC men's basketball coach Todd Jordan, Polars Grade 10 stand-out point guard Tyrell Laing and the rest of PGSS's senior team will take participants through a series of drills that include dribbling, ball handling, proper form for a jump shot, and right-handed and left-handed lay-ups.
Holmes, who has experience coaching hoops at all levels in junior and senior high, is teaching ball-handling drills.
"The biggest message to send to them is if they want to take the next step in basketball, they're going to have to do more than a little basketball," he said. "They're going to have to want it and work at it. I had a mini hoop down in my basement and I spent hours shooting. I'll not only send that message about basketball, but for them to remember later on that when they can get to Grade 12, they can use basketball to help other people."
Grade 12 College Heights secondary students Aashka Jani and Arshdeep Sidhu are helping out with fun activities for the players in between the basketball drills.
Sidhu is a huge basketball fan and couldn't say no to the opportunity to help out when she was asked.
"When I found out it was supporting such a good cause - a student in need - it melted my heart and it was the perfect opportunity. It made me feel proud," she said.
For those who aren't participating, but want to help out, they can donate during Sunday's camp. All proceeds go toward paying for Wildi's medication.
