DCYBA - About Us

Purpose
The DCY Basketball Association promotes and supports the development of basketball programs for youth with developmental challenges in BC.

Who we serve
Young men ages 13 to 25, who have the interest in the sport and the basic abilities needed to develop the skills and concepts of team basketball in an athletic setting. These include the ability to bounce or dribble a ball and to take 3-step direction. Our program includes basic skill development, team play and competitive game strategies.

Volunteer & Peer Involvement
We support and encourage the participation of non-challenged coaches and peer players in our athletes' skill development, team play and tournament involvement. This integration of non-challenged individuals is beneficial to both parties as the players' skills progress through visual modelling and the team play illustrates to the non-challenged player the real potential of the athletes. This is our vision of "Basketball for All".

History
The DCY Basketball Association was founded in 2001 when an advocating mother could not find a basketball team for her developmentally challenged son who is passionate about every aspect of basketball. This personal need to provide a venue and opportunity for him developed into the concept of our program and "Basketball for All".

Objectives
To encourage the participation and inclusion of developmentally challenged players in community basketball events. By fostering strong working relationships with organizers of such events, the long-term goal of DCY Basketball Assoc. is to develop a league (male and female), which will provide athletes with the opportunity to play at introductory, developmental and competitive levels in a structured environment.

Coaches
Ron Putzi is the most recent addition to the DCYBA coaching team. He has been playing professional basketball in Europe for the past ten years and is a former Richmond Colt and B.C. Junior Male Athlete of the year (1988).

“...the development we've seen has been impressive, almost stunning. In the beginning, most players didn't execute or have a good grasp of basketball fundamentals. Today (and consider we only practice once a week for two hours), they've learned to play defense, rebound, shoot, and dribble a lot better. And, we've only just tapped into their potential!”

Ron Putzi, November 2003