The Washington Mystics spent this past Saturday in Brookland at the Turkey Thicket Recreation Center to host its first Mystics Community Day with hundreds of youngsters. The event was held in celebration of the second annual Mystics Youth Summer League (MYSL), an initiative launched last summer in cooperation with DC Parks and Recreation and the Greater Washington Sports Alliance (GWSA).
Perfect weather set the tone for what would be a day filled with food, fun and basketball. From outdoor games, to contests, to panel discussions and an actual meet-n-greet with the Washington Mystics players, the children and their parents were able to spend some time getting to know some of the DC organizations that wanted to reach back out to the community. Joining the entire Washington Mystics team and coaching staff were Mystics President and Managing Partner, Sheila Johnson and Councilman Harry Thomas of Ward 5. Even the DC fire and police departments came out to show their support with a helicopter and motorcycle crew.
“The Washington Mystics, along with GWSA and DC Parks and Recreation identified a need to provide a structured basketball environment for young girls who reside in DC,” said Greg Bibb, Chief Operating Officer of the Washington Mystics. “Today is all about allowing the youth to meet with and learn from the Mystics stars, and also to provide skills and drills for those who are interested in basketball.”
According to Chris Browne, Vice President of GWSA, the event was designed to create an avenue for youth girls to have a chance to get involved with the game of basketball. “We know that AAU leagues and high school teams exists,” said Browne. “But there is nothing that has been sustained in DC that created a strong foundation for girls to be exposed to the sport, which is why we partnered with the Mystics to develop this program.”
Serving the children and their families with hot dogs and hamburgers, Johnson, was proud of the turn out and anxious to see what good it would bring to the youth and the Mystic organization as well. “The main purpose of this event is to really connect with the community and to let them know that we support them,” said Johnson. “And hopefully we will receive that same support in return this season.”
Towards the middle of the afternoon the Washington Mystics team took the stage as Bibb introduced the women to a crowd of overjoyed young boys and girls. Later, the players headed to an outdoor basketball court where they put on a clinic of skills and drills, and even played one-on-one with some of the kids. Mystics player Tasha Humphrey admitted that she and the rest of the team were privileged to participate in the day’s festivities. “All of us have been in a place where these little kids are—growing, learning and looking up to people,” said Humphrey. “It’s a blessing that they look up to us and hopefully we can provide good leadership and be good role models to kids.”
General Manager, Angela Taylor smiled as she looked on courtside while the Mystics players showed the young girls a few skills to better their game. “This summer league that we are going to run will give girls the opportunity to play organized basketball, to learn the fundamentals and what it takes to get to the next level in an organized fashion from trained professionals,” said Taylor. “Many of these young girls don’t have that opportunity to participate in other leagues, so it means a lot for the Mystics to provide that chance and to do something positive this summer.”
Registration for MYSL is currently underway at all DC recreation centers and ends June 12th. The Championship games will be held on August 16th at the Verizon Center.
