Rutland kids flourish under mentorship of local Olympian

It’s a brisk morning on the outdoor basketball courts at Rutland Middle School (RMS); not that the Grade 6 to 8s notice the cold. They’re too busy enjoying a welcome break from class work.

This is Basketball Enrichment class, one of several elective outlets the kids take part in to help build relationships with each other.

It’s a cacophony of ball-on-asphalt as different groups practice shooting drills in front of the six chain net areas followed by some 3-on-3.

Overseeing things - quite literally from his 6’9” frame - is Peter Guarasci, a former Team Canada power forward who played for his country in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

“We spend the morning pursuing the kids’ interests,” he tells Kelowna10. “We get outside, we’re having fun, they’re moving, we’re building relationships.”

For Guarasci, it’s important youngsters at this age are building their confidence.

“To me, it’s the number one thing,” he explained. “Obviously, there are some academics we’re teaching, but just getting to know the kids and building trust and teaching them through their social/emotional learning is really important. We connect through basketball.”

Falling in love with basketball at middle school

Guarasci played in the team that went 5-and-2 at the Sydney Olympics, narrowly missing out on the medal round.

Now 49 years old, he transitioned to his Math, Science and Physical Education teaching career later in life following more than a decade on the court for Team Canada and a 12-year pro career in Europe. He’d caught the national selectors’ attention playing at Simon Fraser University.

With his playing days over, he coached at UBC Okanagan, as well as MacEwan and U of A in Edmonton. When he turned to the UBCO teacher education program he spent his internship at RMS so there’s a connection there. And he’s still involved with Basketball Canada coaching at the under-16 and under-17 level.

He says he fell in love with the game when he was in middle school in Niagara Falls, so it’s natural for him to keep an eye on some potentially promising looking kids during these enrichment classes.

“This is very introductory, but there are some students who are passionate about the game, so with those student athletes you can maybe push a little bit differently,” Guarasci said, while stressing the priority is for the kids to come out and just have a good time.

Do some of the kids know about the enormous playing experience he brings?

“I think there are some who are a little bit interested and might do the odd Google search,” he said. “But the most valuable piece for me is helping these students become contributing citizens for us.”

'He's a very good teacher'

Among the gaggle of ball-bouncing and dribbling middle schoolers out on the RMS courts is 13-year-old Brooklyn Reyes. He would be one of those students who shows obvious talent with an eye on a potential ball-playing future. He plays club basketball in Kelowna and is very aware of Guarasci’s skills and background.

“He played at a very high level: for Team Canada and SFU. I went there, I saw his name,” Reyes said. “He’s a very good teacher. He’s been helping me and everyone, and he makes good drills.”

While he oozes confidence when there’s a basketball in his hand, Reyes also appreciates the fundamental reasons behind the enrichment class: to build relationships with his classmates.

“Every kid is just cool. Every kid is nice, and they want to talk.”