There are many benefits to attending the 2017 National Wheelchair Basketball Association Men’s Development Camp on December 16-20 at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO. The NWBA Development Camps are an opportunity for athletes improve their skills and technique as well as gain exposure to U.S. National Team’s coaching staff.

The coaches for the camp are the Men’s National Head Coach Ron Lykins of Columbia, Missouri and assistant coach Robb Taylor of Auburn, Alabama. Additional coaching staff will be assigned by Coach Lykins and staff. Athletes will experience similar training and instruction similar to that of the U.S. National Team’s athletes.

“This [NWBA Development Camp] is an opportunity for players to: gain experience playing the international game, receive instruction from international coaches, learn the areas of play they need to improve their game, learn what it takes to play at the international level, and learn about the sport sciences (drug testing, sports psychology, nutrition, strength and conditioning) that are available and how these sciences will improve their skills and game”, said Coach Ron Lykins. Coach Lykins sees additional benefits of the NWBA Development Camps as, “Every player that attends this camp will learn what it means to commit to becoming the best player they can be. Players will learn there is more to playing basketball than just practicing. They will learn how to optimize their physical and mental skills. It is vital for players to learn they must take a holistic approach to training.”

The benefits of the NWBA Development Camps are also seen by players such as 2017 U.S. Men’s National Team member Jorge Salazar of Bakersfiled, California. “Attending the camp allows you to play with some of the best talent around. It allowed the coaching staff to see my talent when it normally wouldn’t be as easily accessible even with today’s technology”, said Salazar. Salazar was a participant at the 2016 NWBA Men’s Development Camp at the Lakeshore Foundation.

Athletes should expect 2 – 2.5 hours on-court instruction per day and encompass international team concepts and plays. In the evening, meetings are held to introduce sports sciences and their benefits.

Coach Ron Lykins explains more on the NWBA Development Camps, “a great opportunity to showcase your talents and get involved in the high-performance pool. Representing your country in competition is a tremendous honor and only a small number of players in the history of the sport have earned that honor. This is an opportunity to truly test yourself and play at the elite level.”

Athletes interested in attending can take this advice from Jorge Salazar, “Go in with eyes and ears open. You can’t control what you don’t know but you can control your attitude and effort. Know your role and stick to it and your time will come.”

Athletes interested in attending the NWBA Development Camp are encouraged to submit an application. All NWBA members are eligible to submit an application. The NWBA is looking to fill up to 30 slots. Instructors will send confirmation emails to selected candidates at least four weeks prior to camp.

The registration fee to attend the 2017 NWBA Men’s Development Camp is $500.00. The registration fee includes: meals, on-campus housing, shuttle transportation, and a t-shirt.

The last day to register for the 2017 Men’s Development Camp is Wednesday, November 15.

The NWBA encourages athletes to wait for confirmation before booking travel accommodations. Additional information can be found at http://www.nwba.org/developmentcamp. Questions can be forwarded to Brandon McBeain at BrandonMcBeain@nwba.org or (719) 266-4082 ext. 108.