Have you heard of the famous Junior Jamboree organized by Kim Roy in Florida?! The Junior Jamboree is described as a juniors tournament, clinic and sleepover party that many junior players in Florida look forward to twice a year (summer and winter). And due to events such as this, junior racquetball in Florida continues to show signs of growth every year.
Known as "Miss Kim", to all the Florida junior players, Kim Roy has a strong passion for racquetball and encouraging young players to become involved in the sport. Kim Roy said that "the Junior Jamboree is a great way for beginners to become involved in the sport as there are beginner clinics available and each event we attract new kids that are trying racquetball for the very first time ever."
Racquetball is known for improving a person's skills at other sports.
This game is a great way to help develop hand eye coordination, footwork, cardio and other development stages in a child's life. Any sport a child may play; racquetball only helps them improve their performance. Many professional athletes are playing racquetball for the cardio, speed, and reflexes needed to excel at their level.
Kim holds a Junior Jamboree twice a year. This event is a sleepover where the kids get to learn racquetball, improve their skills, and understand the fundamentals of the game. And they compete in a tournament. There is a beginner division for new players. At the end of the night they get to enjoy a movie, play in a small ping pong tournament and enjoy the company of other juniors from around the state. This is the type of event that creates many long term bonding relationships amongst kids.
The juniors really love the end of the event awards and prize ceremony where medals are given for each division and each kid gets to pick a prize to bring home. Prizes were donated by Lawler Sports, HEAD/Penn, Gearbox, and Kim Roy. They also got the chance to see what tournament experience was like as there was a small tournament held Saturday night and Sunday morning before the event ended at noon.
As afirst timecoach at the event, I got to experience how much energy and excitement all the kids bring to this fun event. The boys got to sleep on one court while the girls slept in another. Some were away from Mom and Dad for the first time and didn't show any signs of wanting to go home nor scared to be away for the night.
The kids enjoyed themselves so much many were asking if there could be another Junior Jamboree the following week!! I think Miss Kim will need a few days off after this all-night event, though!! But I heard that the very next day she was back to coaching as she was still in the middle of summer and Junior Racquetball Camps all day during the weeks!! Very impressive to see Kim Roy's commitment to junior racquetball.
What were some of the kids saying about the Junior Jamboree after it was over?
"I like so much sleeping on the courts, playing against all the other kids....and of course winning!" Max Grauer (13 years old)
"When is the next jamboree?" and "It's awesome and fun" Zachary Noyes (10 years old)
"It's fun and you learn a lot and I really, really want to go again". Owen Noyes (7 years old)
"Jamboree rocks!" Jordan Cooperrider
"It's great to see all my friends that go to Jamboree every year. Some tournaments overlook the kids. This one is all about the kids. Miss Kim always makes it fun." Evan Wargo
"In most tournaments, I always have to play the older boys. This tournament is great. There are always a bunch of girls my age to play and hang out with. Plus, Miss Kim always has great prizes after the tournament for everybody to win." Graciana Wargo
Kim Roy is very attentive to the kids and everything going on around her. She sets the rules at the beginning of the event and the kids are very respectful to her as well as to one another.
Want to get involved?! There will be another Junior Jamboree this upcoming February 2011 and if you would like to get your junior player signed up you can contact Kim Roy at Kimberly_Roy@hotmail.com.
