SPORTS BRIEFS

NFL Development Program to be held

The NFL Junior Player Development Program will be held in July in Burbank.

Local youth football players will have an opportunity to learn about character development and specific skill training in a local camp.

Since its inception in 1999, the program has provided a youth tackle football program for boys and girls ages 12-14. The camp will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 14-18 at John Muir Middle School, 1111 N. Kenneth Road, Burbank.

The program is designed to teach participants various skills at every position.

Another session, geared for those ages of 8-11, will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 21-25 at John Muir Middle School. The sessions will be non-contact.

The program, which is free, will include instructional segments on individual positions, a regular review of newly-learned skills and a competition that focus on the execution of basic skills learned.

Along with football instruction, all participants will receive counseling through a life skills development curriculum incorporated into the program. These character building segments include life skill messages integrated throughout on-field skill training.

Coaches follow a specifically designed curriculum created by a sports psychologist, with different life skills integrated throughout the on-field curriculum. Subjects include responsibility, goal setting, sportsmanship, self-control, smart moves and teamwork.

For more information, contact Burbank High football Coach Ted Amorosi at (818) 558-4700, ext. 55950, or (818) 269-6747. Or visit www.burbankvikings.com.

Burbank freshman baseball camp offered

The Burbank High baseball program is offering a freshman camp for players from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 16-18 at Burbank High.

Under the direction of veteran Coach Bob Hart and his staff, players will get a first-hand opportunity to see what baseball is like on the high-school level.

At the camp, athletes will get the opportunity to work with the coaching staff and get a chance to improve their baseball skills, learn discipline and what it takes to play as a team.

The cost is $100, which will include the camp, shirts, hats, shorts and lunch on the last day of camp.

Checks can be made out to: BHS Baseball Boosters, c/o Darrell Taylor, 1066 E. Fairmont Rd., Burbank, CA 91501. For more information, call (818) 455-1895.

MVP youth basketball camp scheduled

Boys’ and girls’ basketball players who will be in fifth through eighth grades in September will get a chance to take part in the ninth annual MVP Summer Basketball Camp.

The camp, sponsored by the Burbank Park, Recreation and Community Services Department, will take place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. July 21-25 at Luther Burbank Middle School.

The cost is $80 and the camp is limited to 60 athletes. The deadline to register is July 14.

The event is run by longtime Park and Rec, Catholic Youth Organization, Southern California Municipal Athletic Assn. and high school Coach Mike Graceffo. Graceffo has more than 27 years coaching experience, and was an instructor at camps run by Michael Jordan and B.J. Armstrong in Chicago and Santa Barbara.

Graceffo has also coached in the American Roundball Corp. and has won championships at many levels, as well as coaching at all four area high schools.

There will be one coach for every 10 players. Along with learning basketball fundamentals and skills, participants will receive a profile card outlining a player’s strengths and weaknesses, a self-help booklet, a gym bag, a T-shirt and a certificate of participation.

Athletes will play pickup games, participate in basketball drills, take part in free throw and shooting contests, watch basketball videos and get a chance to win prizes.

The camp also regularly plays host to prominent basketball players and coaches from the area.

There will also be a pizza and pool party July 23 at Verdugo Pool. For more information, or to register, call 238-5390.