2008, Xi'an YMCA basketball clinics continue
Another team from Virginia joined the millions of other tourists from abroad arriving in China in the summer of 2008; likely most of those people had come for the Olympics, but a team of six came to Xi'an to conduct another basketball tournament. An exciting time was in store for all the kids who participated in the drills and practices in order to improve their hoop skills, as the photos below show. One evening, the team went out for dinner and to enjoy the summer entertainment at the park which featured the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Part of the modern park, built to set off this ancient structure, included a shallow pool that featured dancing fountains and colored lights set to music.
20011, after a two-year gap, basketball clinics resume
The largest team of volunteers to conduct basketball clinics with the Xi'an YMCA came in 2011, including coaches, both men and women, and teenagers who had experience and skills to share with Chinese children and youth. The venue changed for this year, the YMCA had borrowed a school gym and also used outdoor courts. The group spent the weekend sightseeing, especially touring the terra-cotta warrior exhibition, and going to church on Sunday. The church they visited is the same church that all of the Virginia volunteers attended, from 2002 until this year. It is a small facility located off of an alley behind the YMCA Hotel, and so is very convenient. The main auditorium is always completely full for each of several services on Sunday, along with upstairs overflow rooms and the courtyard.
The basketball clinics have left an indelible impression on the hearts of YMCA staff and on many children and young people who through these years have had the chance to learn about the love that the volunteer coaches and team members have shared with them, as well as the basketball expertise.