Indicative basketball matches were first included in the program of the Olympic Games in the distant 1904, and today it is one of the most favorite sports games in the whole world. In Zhytomyr, it also develops and has prospects. The trainer of BC «Zhytomyr» Denys Aparin told us about basketball future and our own way.

«I played basketball again from school. We had a school team, which was taken care of by our physical education teacher. I already appreciate his work as a coach. It was a shame when he left for either America or Israel: in those times when there was no computer, we always chased in the yard, and thanks to him, he was not just chasing, but playing basketball. Then our classmate with her husband also organized a basketball section, and I also played in it. In general, I went to all sections that could be recorded: basketball, jumps in height, dancing, aeromodeling»

«If I were to go to a sports club in a big city now, I would have earned quite a bit. I have a special education – Vinnytsia Pedagogical, Faculty of Physical Education. Even when we played in high school, we were prizewinners of Ukraine, but the main games were lost. I was very worried and asked myself the question:«Why do we lose to teams from small cities?». By physical data, we were not worse, but in preparation – the advantage was on their side. Therefore, I wanted to create a strong team, and for the sake of this I went to study just for this specialty»

«Once in my childhood I was very interested in studying, but I traveled a lot and often skipped classes. When you start catching up, you do not understand something – it becomes uninteresting. Now, for example, I’m sorry that at one time I did not study English»

«As a child I tried to be a leader. He himself tried to play on the court, he did not hand over the ball to anyone, he himself went for a breakthrough – just did not know how to play correctly. And then he got into the section to Valentyn Feliksovich Husakovskyi and started to take seriously to play basketball»

«It is still very difficult to break the defeat: I think, analyze, analyze the causes and factors. This is probably a character trait. Once in a childhood our team lost, I was very worried, and the result was a disappointment. Then I dropped classes for several years, and when I decided to return, I was told that it is too late, there is no place, because all the groups are staffed»

«Irena Shevchenko took care of me. I asked her very much to allow me to do just that for myself, but soon enough I started playing for the team. We trained a lot, went to the competition – then there were such opportunities ”

«Now we have a basketball family – people who used to play basketball, now girls and boys are playing and training themselves. These people are actively developing both children’s and adult basketball. Our team is very helpful ”

«I have been teaming for almost 14 years. When he began to organize it, he went to the authorities who took care of the sport. I was told then that we have a lot of athletes – masters of sports, olympics, who bet, and funding goes on their development. And for the last few years, our departments for family, youth and sports in the city and in the region have come to the meeting and have the opportunity to grow. Now our competitions are taking place, and the meeting. And although we have not sponsored the past few years, there are people who sometimes help. As a rule, this happens at moments when there is a complete failure: it is necessary to go for a race, but there is no finance for the road or for food»

«There is an all-Ukrainian rating of various sports. It exists in order to be able to see the effectiveness of each species, visibility. There must be competitions, the results of which are then covered on the site, should be a team of boys and girls, various tournaments. And for all that is useful, what is being done within the development of this sport, certain points are placed, which form the place in the rating. The higher this rating, the more significant achievements, the more funding is allocated. This is convenient, because when I come to somewhere and tell about my team, I can ask: «And who are you? Where did your pupils play, what did they achieve? Are there candidates or sports masters among them? How many groups or persons did you teach?». If you can see that the structure is working seriously, then the approach is different, and opportunities. Being noticeable in such a rating is difficult, but I believe that everything is fair. For example, one person is active, begins to work on creating a team, and the other has gradually earned authority over many years. They can not have the same attitude, it will not be fair. Of course, an undertaking must be welcomed, but first you need to show what you can do»

«We have two serious adult male teams in the region – BC « Zhytomyr» and BC  «Korosten». These are semi-professional teams. We do not have amateurs playing, but those who have ever played, or promising young people. I myself invest in our club not only the soul, but also finances, in addition to looking for sponsors. And although the guys are not playing for money, but nowhere is there – it is essential»

«In Zhytomyr there is only one children’s sports school that trains future basketball players, and in Kyiv, for example, they are much more. And there are more people who work with children, and the qualifications of the coaches are higher. All graduates graduate schools are trying to find work in big cities: there is a better level of provision, wages are higher, there are prospects, a sports base. We do not really have enough»

«The level of American basketball is easy to explain: there have been experienced trainers from the past five years, with special programs working with the child. At the beginning, they do not require high-quality children, they do not immediately try to make great athletes. Everything is gradual! When they bring children to a certain level, they start to compete. We do this differently: the children are only training for six months, and they are then put up for competition. They really can not do anything, lose and disappoint. Yes, of course, during the game the child learns faster, gets more practical skills – one game is worth twenty training sessions. But I would be disappointed, because I’m sorry to lose»

«Victory gives a strange feeling. I recall the decisive throws in the last minute, while not so important level of competition … It’s hard to say words. Undoubtedly adrenaline, some kind of admiration, high emotions – feelings that you do not describe»

«Adults should otherwise be motivated to play, at different ages, a different technique. Each coach sees the game and the team in his own way, sees what is missing what is to be added to the training sessions. Schoolchildren are basically important psychological moments. Undoubtedly, one must consider the game and give physical activity, but one must be a psychologist, see each player, his character. One will hear when you cry, will be able to orient and play better. With the other such an approach will not pass, the person may close, will be «sports manrage». It seems to me that I understand the children. I can be feverish, but I try to understand each player and give a chance even when I have not been able to show good qualities and show myself»

«Our team has boys who are still in school. They play alongside thirty players with experience. When I introduced them and gathered together, I said:«I want you to communicate on equal terms, support the youth, even when they do not succeed. Our goal is common: to raise the level of Zhytomyr basketball»

«With my players, I am constantly learning. We, together with the team, study the drawing of the game, analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the rival team, determine the style of the next game. Each team player needs to understand his role on the site, so he gets an individual guideline»

«In basketball everything happens very quickly – there is no time for reflection. What is the professionalism of a player? As soon as possible, in a fraction of a second, due to his game thinking, he must make the best decision. If this is not the right decision, the opponent scores the ball. And very often the game is solved by one throw. The best decision is made not by intuition or talent. First of all, this is an experience, physical training and game thinking»

«We need to connect more professional trainers to train our children. Only then will a good result. It’s not enough to educate a good person, you have to bring up good athletes. We need coaches and a sports base. I used to be a coach for a long time: I had a huge desire, the goal to which I went fanatically, and there was a person who would help me to reach the goal. I always looked into the eyes of the coach and listened attentively to what I was told was running in the morning – nobody forced me to do it. Mom said: «You want to go. Do not want to – do not go. If you want to become a true athlete, you have to train a lot and, of course, have a good coach»

«In many sports, results are achieved with rigid methods. Parents say: «You want a result – do not interfere, we have our own technique». Someone undergoes such tests and receives the result, and someone breaks off – natural selection. I do not know if this is correct, because somebody may break into the fifth grade, and then all his life will be lagging. I would do the graduation: someone is busy for themselves, someone professionally – just different groups. There should be an examination, after which the athlete or athlete will be able to move to a higher level. If the exam is not completed – athletes continue to pursue the same level. All will not become Olympic champions, and the opportunity to do sports should be at all. Then people can become sports judges, sports managers. It is also very necessary»

«I never compare myself to anyone. I have no idols, I just state the level of the game. I’m currently studying techniques, watching games, learning from other coaches. We would like to have helpers, so that we all worked in the same structure, so that in Zhytomyr function sports boarding with good specialists, highly trained coaches, which should be involved. I would like to thank our trainers Valentyn Feliksovich Husakovskyi, Irena Volodymyrivna Shevchenko, Valkovy Volkovsky, Tetyana Dernovyi, Oleksii Mazur for doing what they are doing, growing, studying, going to seminars, which are mostly paid»

«I had the opportunity to teach and train in another city, but I came back. Here is my home, my family, parents, here we grew up. Somewhere may be better, but still want to develop your own»

Translated by Aliona Matushevich