Special Days with HOLA Athletics

This past Saturday brought a lot of action and youth to LaFayette Park for fun activities with HOLA Athletics.

To start the day off, there was a "special" Lakers Youth Basketball Clinic that brought two surprise guests. As most of you know, the Lakers Youth Clinics used to happen the first Saturday of every month but the clinics will be spread out during the year from now on. However, this September the Lakers Clinic happened again!

Former Laker champion, James Worthy, came to speak to athletes before the clinic began. Though most of the youth were not fortunate enough to witness Worthy in action during his career, they could feel the excitement most of their parents had and quickly woke up for an early Saturday morning workout.

While the clinic was getting started, HOLA Fall Soccer League was beginning outside. Approximately 330 youth ages 6-18 will be competing at LaFayette Park this season every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. There will also be a basketball league that serves 250 players every Saturday.

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering to coach for either leagues please contact Bruce Hooks at bhooks@heartofla.org.

Back in the gym, young athletes were showing off their skills to win Lakers gear and basketballs signed by Lakers stars like Kobe Bryant and James Worthy. Near the end of the clinic, players were surprised with the appearance of Lakers point guard, Darius Morris. LaFayette park has hosted Lakers players before like Andrew Goudelock and Shannon Brown but everyone was just as excited to greet Morris.

Tomorrow is Saturday and if you happen to be close to 625 S. LaFayette Park Place, stop by the gym or field to support young athletes. There will also be a banquet for the Central City Girls Basketball Association League which has its championship game TONIGHT. The Heart of Los Angeles(HOLA) always has fun activities going on for youth. If you haven't already, check out the website at heartofla.org.

FINAL Lakers Clinic of the year

This Saturday is the last Lakers Youth Basketball Clinic of the year. Registration begins at 12pm for athletes ages 7-18. Free lunch will be provided to participants afterwards. See you Saturday!

***There will be a carnival at the park this weekend so there will NOT BE PARKING on the street. Park a block away and walk over to LaFayette Park gymnasium (625 S. LaFayette Park Place 90057)***

Summer Happenings

It's been a while since this blog has been updated and I promise its not due to negligence. HOLA Athletics has had a whirlwind of summer activities that have kept the staff away from computers. However, we are back in the swing of things and will have a quicker turn-around of blog postings.

What has been going on this summer you ask?

Well, first things first is our Get Active Sports Camp which began with a bang on July 9th with some special guests.

from left: Marcus Allen, Nadia Comaneci, Tony Hawk and Edwin Moses 

"HOLA and the Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks hosted the launch of a collaborative initiative between the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA (Laureus USA) and Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA). The initiative will place and train 40 Coach Across America (CAA) coaches in 10 projects at after-school sports programs in LA, benefiting 5,000 underserved youth in 15 communities. The intiative is part of a nationwide program that, with a $1.3 million national commitment from MBUSA to Laureus USA, focuses on training and placing 250 coaches through Coach Across America in sports-based youth development projects in underserved neighborhoods in five U.S. cities: Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Miami and New Orleans.

Obviously the first day of camp at HOLA was a star- studded event that has been hard to compete with. However, HOLA Athletics has a secret weapon of fun disguised as a water hose, water guns and water-balloons that has made the playing field a bit more even.

If you'd like to view video coverage from the first day of camp, click here.

The following week, HOLA Volleyball league began on the 16th for high-school boys and girls. This free league competes every Monday and Tuesday from 4-6pm (right after Get Active Camp ends). 


Many of the athletes are members of HOLA's ROPE and PAT programs. These programs provide tutoring, SAT classes and college/job preparation, just to name a few of the services offered.

Also, many of the students are using their summer vacations to volunteer at HOLA, specifically in the Get Active Sports Camp. 

The Central City Girls Basketball Association(CCGBA) League is just starting for high-school girls to compete at LaFayette Park every Tuesday and Friday after 6pm. Athletes in every HOLA Athletics league are provided uniforms and trophies/medals at the end of each season.

HOLA's girls basketball team, coached by Haymen Gebru, are looking to improve on their performance last summer in CCGBA. Check the blog weekly to receive updates on team standings and player accomplishments.

The Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), has had a busy and FUN summer so far. We are only half way done. See you soon for more activities.

 Don't forget about the free Lakers Youth Basketball Clinic happening EVERY FIRST SATURDAY of the month. The next clinic is August 4th at 12:30PM. Lunch will be provided by Jersey Mikes to every participant. 

For more information on any services provided, contact Bruce Hooks at bhooks@heartofla.org.

Also, come to LaFayette Park for Summer Night Lights, Wednesday -Saturday from 7pm-midnite. 

Food,basketball, soccer, movies and music ALL FOR FREE!!!

Lakers Youth Basketball Clinic

The Lakers Youth Basketball Clinic is SATURDAY, July 14th .Registration for athletes ages 7-17 begins at 1:30PM.

Lunch will be provided for participants after the clinic is finished.

This event is not only FREE but provides an amazing opportunity for young athletes to learn the game of basketball from the best. See you Saturday!

NBA Gatorade Training center 2012

On Tuesday, May 22nd the NBA and Gatorade had a FREE training center for athletes ages 13-17. The Gatorade training center focused on teaching players drills that will improve their game.

75 athletes were selected by local coaches to be trained by former and current NBA/college players and coaches.
NBA player, Brian Cook(formerly of the Washington Wizards) helped participants during drills and gave a few words of advice to the 60 plus aspiring basketball players that filled the LaFayette Park gymnasium.

Players rotated through several stations like "side to side hurdle", "vertical test", "shuffle run" and a "vertical test". Healthy nutrition and hydration were emphasized continuously throughout the 3-hour event that ended with players receiving gift bags. 

                                                                                               Thanks to the NBA and Gatorade for providing such a wonderful evening to youth at the Heart of Los Angeles(HOLA) and LaFayette Park.

 The next Lakers Youth Clinic is June 2nd at 12:30PM. For more information, email trandle@heartofla.org.

                             




HOLA Athletics Department looks forward to providing exceptional services to all youth participants in every league and clinic.

Coming soon: Central City Girls Basketball League for high school students.

Cinco De Mayo-Lakers Basketball Clinic

The Lakers Youth Basketball Clinic is SATURDAY, May 5th.Registration for athletes ages 7-17 begins at 12:30PM.

The clinic is not only FREE but provides an amazing opportunity for young athletes to learn the game of basketball from the best. See you Saturday!

We are only accepting 75 participants from now on and closing the doors at 1PM. Early arrival is highly suggested.

HOLA Basketball and Soccer

HOLA Athletics is at the end of the Jr. Jumpshot Basketball League that provides free uniforms, practices and games to children ages 7-14. The playoffs begin this weekend with championship games on Saturday, May 12th. The Jr. Jumpshot League will happen again in the Fall if you are interested in signing up.

Alongside the Jr. Jumpshot Basketball League is the highly popular, HOLA Soccer League. The season just began this month and has 4 divisions for children ages 6-14 and one girls varsity division. If you want to see a game, come out Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday evenings or early Saturday mornings.

Upcoming Leagues: Central City Girls Basketball
For: Girls ages 13-18 (high-school)

For more information on HOLA Athletics programming, contact Athletic Director Bruce Hooks at bhooks@heartofla.org

The Lakers Youth Clinic & Jersey Mikes

A month after Lakers shooting guard, Andrew Goudelock visited the Heart Of Los Angeles, Lakers Youth Basketball clinic participants had another surprise at La Fayette Park. Jersey Mikes brought delicious lunch boxes(sub sandwiches, potato chips and cookies)  to Saturday's event.  The Lakers youth basketball clinic happens EVERY first Saturday of the month and is always absolutely free, thanks to the Lakers Youth Foundation. Players are used to healthy snacks like granola bars, apples and water during the clinic, so the addition of lunch made the afternoon even more of a great experience for young athletes.


Not only did the players receive free lunch but they were served by the Los Angeles Laker girls. After eating lunch, the players spent time with the Laker girls and received autographed posters.

We look forward to the next Lakers Youth Clinic on Saturday May 5th at 12:30PM. We are no longer allowing players to participate in the clinic if they arrive after 1PM. Also, there will only be 60 PLAYERS allowed from now on. So please arrive on time.

HOLA thanks the Laker Youth Foundation, Jersey Mikes and the Laker girls for making the first Saturday of the month a special day.

See you at the next clinic!

MAY 5

LAFAYETTE PARK

625 SOUTH LAFAYETTE PARK PLACE

LOS ANGELES, CA. 90057

AGES 7-17

REGISTRATION @ 12:30PM

Lakers' player visits HOLA

The Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) always has something interesting for children in the community. Last Saturday's youth basketball clinic was no different as far as offering a place for young athletes to improve their game with an interesting bonus at the end. The Lakers youth basketball clinic happens EVERY first Saturday of the month and is always absolutely free.

The clinic starts at 1 but on this particular Saturday children arrived as early as noon, as if they knew something great was going to happen. The Lakers staff came and began the clinic as usual and the children present learned the basic fundamentals of basketball. Just when the clinic was about to end...Lakers shooting guard, Andrew Goudelock walked into the gym.

Goudelock (pronounced GOWD-lock) is a rookie from the College of Charleston. First, he answered pressing questions from children like, "What is it like to play with Kobe Bryant?" and "How are you so good at your floater?". Then he competed in a free-throw shooting contest with 12 year old, Elana Jenkins. I'm happy to say that the Jr.Jumpshot League player gave the professional athlete a run for his money.

It is great to have players like Goudelock come spend time with aspiring athletes because he is a good example of hard-work. He was only recruited by two colleges and was the 46th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Add the fact that he is no taller than 6'3...the odds are against this Georgia native making it to stardom-hood but he has already made a name for himself in the league by being persistent and consistent whenever he touches the court.

His name will not be forgotten by the 80 HOLA children that received his autograph at LaFayette Park last Saturday. Thank you Andrew Goudelock, the Lakers Youth Foundation and the coaches and staff that make this clinic possible.

See you at the next clinic! It will be the second Saturday of the month due to Easter.

APRIL 14
LAFAYETTE PARK
625 SOUTH LAFAYETTE PARK PLACE
LOS ANGELES, CA. 90057
AGES 7-17
REGISTRATION @ 12:30PM

All-Star Weekend

CCBA players and coaches enjoyed a day of fun competition Saturday in the LaFayette Park gymnasium. We are excited for the second half of games to begin this week. The season has been great thus far due to the continued support of family, friends and the LaFayette Park staff. On behalf of HOLA Athletics, thank you for helping us maintain the beautiful space in which CCBA takes place.

Congratulations to the players that received awards Saturday for their skills.

Check out highlights below.

The first competition of the afternoon was a timed skills competition. One player from each team was selected to participate in the full court contest that required them to...

dribble through chairs...

MAKE a left-handed lay-up...

and MAKE a free-throw.

The fastest time won the contest.

Berto Vital from BRESEE won the Skills Competition this year.

Next was the 3-point contest. One player from each team was selected to participate in the shooting contest that required them to shoot five 3-point shots from five spots around the three point line for a total of 25 shots.

Ernesto Cardova from College Ready #4 won the 3-point contest this year.

The last individual competition was the dunk contest. One player from each team was selected to show off their creativity by dunking on a 8'6 foot rim.

CCBA coaches were tough judges for their players.

The final round allowed players to use props to make the difficulty of the dunk greater.

Edwin Garcia from El Centro won the dunk contest this year.

The highlight of the afternoon was the Rising Stars game(players vs. players) and the face-off between coaches and players. One player from each team was selected to play the coaches. The coaches tried their hardest to compete but age proved to be a set-back when running up and down the court.

Mark Anthony Dy from HOLA was MVP for this year's Rising Stars game.