Sitch Sports School attracts 115 campers to Verkhovyna Resort (09/14/97)

Sitch Sports School attracts 115 campers to Verkhovyna Resort

by Christine Prociuk

GLEN SPEY, N.Y. - The Sitch Sports School completed another successful season at the Ukrainian Fraternal Association's beautiful Verkhovyna Resort as 115 campers from various parts of the United States and Ukraine, trained in soccer, swimming, tennis, volleyball and track.

After the second week of training, campers took part in the Ukrainian Youth Olympic Games sponsored by Ukrainian Sports Federation of U.S.A. and Canada-East, and hosted by the Ukrainian Youth Association of America (SUM-A) at its resort in Ellenville, N.Y. Campers used their newly learned skills and natural ability and successfully applied themselves during the games. Sports included: track and field, swimming, tennis, volleyball and soccer. There were many smiles of satisfaction as Sitch campers were awarded medals and ribbons for their accomplishments.

Camp administrators were Myron Stebelsky, camp director for the first two weeks; Omelan Twardowsky, camp director for the second two weeks; Marika Bokalo, secretary, and a USDA Agricultural and Food Services Program administrator; and Christine Kozak-Prociuk, medical director.

As in previous years, this year's staff was carefully selected. The head soccer coach was Wolodymyr Kovalev, a professor of physical education at the Kyiv Institute of Physical Education and Culture. He offered a soccer program combining both theory and practice, with instruction in passing, dribbling, shooting, heading and controlling the ball. Instruction in saving goals, punting and strategy were also offered for those interested in playing as goalies. Assisting Mr. Kovalev were: A.J. Panas, a former sports school participant; Roman Balash from Pidhiria, Ukraine; and Boris Melick, and Alex Kapitanov, both former Kyivans who are now soccer players at Long Island University.

The head tennis coach was Albert Kolb, a tennis coach at the School of Olympic Reserve, and coach of the Tennis Federation in the city of Uzhhorod. Assisting Mr. Kolb was Ivan Rudavskyi, a tennis coach from Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, and Dennis Kolb a former sports school participant. Training was conducted in both English and Ukrainian. Tennis players were grouped according to ability and underwent numerous drills, exercises, stroke and serve clinics, and weekly tennis tournaments.

Swimming lessons were conducted by Mr. Balash, a swimming coach from Ukraine, assisted by Mary Kate Farrell, a former sports school participant. Each swimmer was given specialized instruction according to his or her ability, and acquired skills became evident at the weekly swim races. Many of the campers later competed at the annual swim meet (see article page 10) sponsored by the Ukrainian Sports Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada the and held at the Ukrainian National Association's resort Soyuzivka in Kerhonkson, N.Y. on the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend.

Volleyball instruction was conducted by Mr. Rudawskyj. Players underwent various drills and technique clinics, then competed in league games demonstrating their skills. Many volleyball players went on to victory at the Ukrainian Youth Olympic Games.

Counselors play an important part in camper's lives ensuring an easy adjustment to camp life. This year's counselors were: Walter Wasylak, Lida Bokalo, Alexander Napora, Slava Wasylak and Tatianna Kolb.

Competitions in each sport were held weekly, as was the "Journey Through Ukraine," an obstacle course that depicted Ukrainian cities in a geographical order. Campers also enjoyed talent shows, dances, movies and bonfires.

As in previous years, scholarships were offered to campers by the Chornomorska Sitch sports club; among the recipients this year were four children from the Ukrainian Embassy and one from the Consulate General in New York.

After four fun-filled weeks, the camp ended with the annual banquet. Mr. Stebelsky greeted the campers, parents, and guests, and expressed his pleasure at having observed Ukrainian youths learning and competing in sports. Guests included Jaroslaw Gbur, manager of Verkhovyna.

Camp organizers expressed thanks to the UFA for hosting the sports camp, as well generously sponsoring camp trophies. Campers expressed their gratitude for the friendships formed, skills acquired and the total experience of camp life.

Campers were rewarded for their hard work and discipline with camp trophies. Trophy recipients were as follows:

Soccer: D. Antunes, P. Aresto, A. Brynzak, D. Chornodolsky, D. Correira, C. Cocuzza, B. Del Mauro, G. Del Mauro, N. Dubanowitz, L. Dyrszka, M. Dyrszka, E. Gorin, S. Granadas, J. Gregoria, C. Grodzicky, R. Hankewycz, C. Hnatkowski, D. Hnatkowski, U. Horodysky, G. Hura, S. Ilnyckyj, G. Jasinski, D. Lewycky, K. Maio, P. Maio, M. Makar, T. Makar, W. Makar, H. Morosca, C. Mota, J. Mota, P. Mycio, F. Oliveira, S. Oliveira, M. Palumbo, N. Palumbo, A. Paslawsky, D. Paslawsky, A. Piddoubny, W. Piddoubny, N. Prociuk, Y. Saldana, J. Silva, K. Zorya, 0. Zorya;
Tennis: L. Bolton, A. Brynzak, A. Chaikowsky, N. Colacci, R. Diachuk, L. Dyrszk, K. Farrell, C. Hnatkowski, M. Ilnyckyi, E. Kolb, O. Kolb, A. Oleinik, N. Palumbo, O. Pazuniak, R. Pazuniak, N. Prociuk, E. Rudawskyi M. Slivinski, V. Sokoluk, Y. Sokoluk, M. Stanko, T. Wasylak, R. Rak-Woloshyn, A. Yaniuk, M. Zarudny;
Volleyball: A. Chaikowsky, K. Farrell, E. Gorin, C. Hnatkowski, U. Horodyskyj, O. Kolb, A. Oleinik, A. Paslawsky, E. Rudawskyj, Y. Saldana, A. Yaniuk;
Swimming: N. Colacci, K. Farrell, M. Makar, T. Makar, M. Zarudny, O. Zorya;
Track: G. Jasinski, E. Kolb;
Best camper: A. Oleinik, A. Yaniuk;
Sportsmanship: M. Dyrszka.

At the conclusion of the banquet, campers and parents were again encouraged to keep active in sports, and to join Ukrainian sport teams in their areas.

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