It was the summer of 2010 when Brook Thate decided to try out of basketball at the 2010 BC Summer Games in the township of Langley.
Accompanied by a small cohort of Grade 8 girls from around the Kootenay region, she made it to play for Kootenay Gold team.
Coaching Brook’s team was her father, Brian Thate.
“It’s huge for the kids because they’re competing against the best in the province,” explained Brian. “It was an incredible experience because together as a group, these girls started training in March for the Summer Games and they went to tournaments in the United States to compare themselves.”
As a team, the girls competed in two American tournaments, two Canadian tournaments and one in Kamloops, BC.
From there, Kootenay Gold entered the Summer Games.
“I learned to drive more and to play more aggressively,” stated Brook. “There was really good competition so it really brought my game up. We came in last place but the playing experience was good.”
Throughout the many practices, games and tournaments, Brook noted she and the girls have developed life-long friendships.
“We’re all still close after two years,” she laughed.
Brook currently plays on the junior girls basketball team at Grand Forks Secondary School (GFSS) with three other members that participated in the Summer Games.
The remaining Kootenay Gold team players are also on basketball teams in Castlegar and Trail.
“Now when they play (the other teams) on court they go at it at during the game but will hug each other after that,” stated Brian. “It’s a rewarding experience.”
Brian, who currently coaches GFSS’ junior boys basketball team, pointed out there’s a big difference in the available competition when playing in the Games, as opposed to a regular season during school.
“That’s why we took these kids on the road, even though they lost, they played in every game and the other teams congratulated them because they fought and fought hard,” he said. “They actually did a lot better than they thought they would so it was a good experience.”
For Brian, the most rewarding aspect of being a coach is the opportunity to work with a group of kids and watch them grow.
“I follow them through their basketball careers and every time we see each other it’s all high-fives,” he chuckled.
Despite the attention BC Games draws to young athletes and sport, Brian feels athletics needs more applause than it’s given at times.
“It teaches the kids about teamwork and how to look after each other,” he explained. “In terms of their life-long development, it also plays a significant role because these kids are going to be the leaders of tomorrow. They learn about leadership, loyalty, discipline and commitment.”
Though Brook in no longer able to participate in the BC Games because she is older than the age requirement (players are not allowed after Grade 8), she will be participating in an international tournament with a team out of the United States.
“She gets to go over to England and Ireland, and will get probably get to play in around 12 games over a 10-day period,” noted Brian.
Brook added, “I’m definitely going to play all the way through to Grade 12.”
The BC Summer and Winter Games focuses on the development of young athletes by bringing them together from every region of the province.