Revamping the national team programs, providing more playing time and exposing the country's top players to high level games are among the other things Charles 'Softly' Robins intends to implement when elected president.
Robins' name, along with two other candidates, were tossed into the hat for the presidental chair in the Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF). The annual general election is scheduled for October 29. Whoever is elected will lead the more than 15 associations, some financial, for four years.
"We have to take a closer look at our national team programs, especially the females," said Robins. "Much more effort and work is needed when developing these programs. We need to turn our attention to the junior and youth side of things. A strong developmental program needs to be in place from this level.
It's here we teach our players the fundamentals of the game. This can then trickle into the senior programs.
"There is no reason why we can't have more female teams playing around this country. Why can't we have strong female teams representing every association? At least between now and the term's end, I would like to have these things in place. I want to start with Abaco and going on down the line. See if we can get as much ladies teams, as we have men teams. I think we just neglect the ladies and let them go down."
According to Robins, the relationship coaches have with some of the male players should also be seen on the female's end as well. He noted that some coaches are in constant communications with the male players, tracking their performances on a regular basis, but nothing much is done for the females.
Robins admitted to having followed players like Magnum Rolle and others who are playing in the professional leagues in the United States and Europe. But, he said he is looking forward to working closely with female coaches such as Anastacia Sands-Moultrie and Sharrell Cash, assisting them with the growth and development of young female players. Creating a data base, accessible to all will help solve some of the problems, when it comes to tracking some of the athletes, noted Robins.
"We are in the advance technological age, where we can go to a computer and access information easily," added Robins. "This is where we need to take basketball, in terms of communicating with our players. We need to build a site where persons can go and see that national team practices are being held on this date. The site can also provide the general public with information on our basketball players, where they are at and what they are doing.
"If this is in place, then we won't have to be guessing who will be available to play when regional and international tournaments come around. We will know who all are available. International coaches will be able to access our page and see the depth. More interest will be garnered from college teams wanting to play against our female squad. The statistics will also be available to coaches interested in our junior players."
Coaching courses and other ways to educate persons interested in the sport will be provided. The comprehensive agenda, according to Robins, places the athlete's needs first.

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