Sunwing Foundation teams up with NBA stars to host basketball camps

TORONTO — The Sunwing Foundation and Royalton Luxury Resorts hit the hardwood last week in support of Jamaica’s youth.

The two organizations assisted NBA players Jamal Murray and Rondae-Hollis Jefferson in hosting three basketball camps at Montego Bay Community College on Sept. 20 and 21, in collaboration with the Jamaica National Basketball Association. Hundreds of children were in attendance.

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Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

Jamal, who hails from Canada and plays for the Denver Nuggets, frequently hosts basketball camps in his hometown of Kitchener, Ontario with his father, Jamaica-born Roger Murray. This marked the first time the father-son duo organized a camp on the island. They were joined by Hollis-Jefferson, who recently signed with the 2019 NBA Champions, the Toronto Raptors.

The camps were organized with the goal of empowering local youth between the ages of 8 and 16 to become leaders in their community. Jamal and Hollis-Jefferson also hand-delivered over 400 Sunwing Foundation school backpacks and provided giveaways by Adidas the and Denver Nuggets.

This donation is the latest in Sunwing Foundation’s ‘Flying Start Initiative’, which encourages youth education and development. The Murrays and Hollis-Jefferson flew to Jamaica on Sunwing Airlines, while the Sunwing Experiences team in destination provided transportation to/from the camps. Royalton White Sands, meanwhile, provided accommodations for the group as well as snacks and refreshments for participating youth.

“It was such an amazing experience to be able to meet so many young players in Jamaica,” said Jamal. “Their enthusiasm was incredible. We’re delighted with how well this first camp went and are already thinking about the next one.”

Stephen Hunter, CEO of Sunwing Travel Group, added: “The Sunwing Foundation is committed to supporting youth in the destinations we serve and we are honoured to have been able to offer Jamal and Roger Murray support for the basketball camp during their realization of this worthwhile project to help young people succeed in their community.”