By Liz Page
GRAND GORGE – If you came out of the Grand Gorge Civic Center Tuesday night seeing red, it wasn't anger, but a cooperative effort to introduce 69 kids, pre-K to second grade, to the sport of basketball. And it was the color of the new t-shirts they received.
It is something that was sparked by a four-year-old boy's comment to his mom a year ago, that took off like wildfire once other moms and businesses in the community caught wind of it.
The endeavor has 23 sponsors and 22 adult volunteers and one student volunteer on board to provide fun and activity at the Civic Center in Grand Gorge every Tuesday from 5 to 6 p.m. for the next several weeks.
The opening night was January 7 and there was organized chaos as the kids, their parents and grandparents gathered in the gym where they received their new t-shirts and were divided into age groups. Despite the frigid January night, everyone was happy to see the Net Ninjas kick off the season.
Danyelle Gockel and Morgan Keator started the league for the youngsters which will run through the end of February and is open to all schools in the area. They were taking some additional signups on Tuesday amid the cacophony of young voices enjoying the fact they just got new t-shirts, socks and sweatbands.
Gockel got the idea last winter when her son, Henry, now 5, asked why he couldn't play basketball like his older sister.
"We have followed his older sister around to play soccer and there was a mini soccer game for him. We watched her play softball and there was t-ball for him. But when it came to basketball, there wasn't anything for his level," said Gockel. "And, I thought why not."
So she inquired about the Roxbury school gym, but it was booked. Someone suggested contacting the town of Roxbury for use of the old Grand Gorge Central School gym which is now part of the Grand Gorge Civic Center. It was a go and during kiddie soccer she talked to some other moms and they offered to help coach and they talked to a couple of other moms who were interested in helping.
Fellow mom, Morgan Keator, really helped her to order equipment, register the kids and organize the finances.
"At first I thought I would approach five local businesses and ask for $50 each to get some hoops and a couple of basketballs. I was going to use my own kids' cones and we would have a couple of pick-up games," she said. But when the first donations came in at $200 and $300 and more and more businesses were looking to donate to the cause, she talked to the organizer of the kiddie soccer program. She was told to charge a registration fee in order to provide a commitment from the parents for the kids to show up. With all of the donations there was enough to purchase a lot more and better quality gear. It includes a basketball for each child to use, the t-shirts, sweatbands and socks and to help with a season end party of pizza and ice cream. Shhh, don't tell the kids - that's a secret.
The name, Net Ninjas, was something the moms thought sounded cool if they were kids. "We tossed some names around and decided that was by far the coolest. If we were their age we would think it was cool sounding."
The colors they selected are red, white and blue in theme, including the flag socks. "To show pride in our country and community and to instill that in these kids at a young age," said Gockel.
She has been amazed at the support received from the community and parents.
Kids have signed up from nearly every school in the Delaware League. There are kids from Roxbury, Stamford, South Kortright, Davenport, Windham, Hunter and Jefferson.
Gockel said many of the moms were high school rivals in sports who now have young children they want to see involved in sports. The advantages are that they do not have to travel far and it provides a winter activity for this age group.
"The first night went really well. The kids were under control, there wasn't one tear shed and no one was hurt," she said. "Most of all, I would like to thank our sponsors."
Sponsors are listed on the backs of the t-shirts, and include, the following: Keator Landscapes, Cory VanAlstyne General Contractor, North Road Sugarworks, Deanna Osborn, Hanks Electric, Jamie Lynn Photography, H. Peters Plumbing & Heating, MC Auto, Rick's Tire, Wild Desire - A Frugal Homestead, Mountain View Labrador Retrievers, RRC Painting, GC Landscaping & Excavation, Cammer Construction, The Reyes Family, Peters Welding & Fabrications, Joe's Gun Shop, Grand Gorge Tire, Stannard Plumbing & Heating, Rays Rollof, VanWert & Ballard Racing, Gary's Fuel Oil and Pizza Plus.
"It's so much more than basketball. It's the friendships they are making, the memories they are making and letting them know we are truly blessed to live in this community and country," said Gockel.
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