{"id":3475,"date":"2022-01-31T22:39:25","date_gmt":"2022-01-31T22:39:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trimac.com\/?post_type=news-releases&p=3475"},"modified":"2025-12-10T23:02:38","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T06:02:38","slug":"national-tank-services-staffer-bettering-lives-outside-of-work-through-sport","status":"publish","type":"news-releases","link":"https:\/\/www.trimac.com\/fr\/news-releases\/national-tank-services-staffer-bettering-lives-outside-of-work-through-sport\/","title":{"rendered":"National Tank Services staffer bettering lives outside of work through sport"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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If you don\u2019t find Clay Watson busy as Parts and Service Coordinator at the Calgary National Tank Services branch, it\u2019s likely he\u2019s out on the court coaching youth basketball teams.

Over Christmas, Trimac and Mr. Stairwell (Shop of the Future contractors who worked on the Calgary Branch) made a small donation to contribute to a holiday meal for Watson\u2019s Respect Basketball program for kids ages 5 to 18.

\u201cTurns out a lot of the kids on the team are not able to eat on a regular basis,\u201d said Dennis Peacock, Area Manager NTS. \u201cClay started bring snacks out of his own pocket to practice for the players so the kids can eat something.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

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Watson, who has coached youth basketball for the last 12 years, has two daughters playing basketball themselves. His family noticed the price to participate in club basketball drastically rise. It was at that time that Watson knew he needed to find an alternative for kids to play at more reasonable costs, and the idea for Respect Basketball was conceived by their current board of directors.

\u201cRespect Basketball Association is not-for profit, meaning that all the money that comes in goes back into the program to cover the costs of fees, gym time, gear, tourney fees, and travel,\u201d said Watson, who is celebrating his 5-year anniversary with Trimac this month. \u201cWe wanted to offer a high calibre basketball experience for those who couldn\u2019t afford clubs, with more playing time and exposure at reduced costs.\u201d

All of the club\u2019s coaches are top tier and certified in different areas of the game and could be making a wage coaching for other programs but would rather give back in a full-time volunteer position.

And while basketball skills are important, Watson has implemented a unique training style.

\u201cWe call it Respect Training, where we teach them character and how to be good community members. It\u2019s not just about basketball for us,\u201d said Watson. Respect Training focuses on physical, mental and character development so that players will find success and development at all levels of play. The goal is to not only develop outstanding basketball players but encourage players to become the best version of themselves both on and off the court.

As Respect\u2019s inaugural season progressed, Watson and his wife recognized the need for more support, off the court. A lot of the kids in their program rely on public transportation and don\u2019t have the opportunity to eat a meal before practice, or they don\u2019t have the means to purchase their own food before their practice.<\/p>\r\n

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Respect Basketball implemented a sandwich program, which is supported by volunteers, donations, and sponsorships.

The program has also managed to fundraise to supply uniforms\/jerseys and other equipment for the team as well. Respect Basketball wants kids from all backgrounds and financial situations to have the opportunity to play club level basketball with the same perks, such as gear and training opportunities, that a lot of the more expensive programs offer. To accomplish this, Watson works with families by offering payment plans and sponsorship opportunities to help offset the registration fee. Watson will not turn anyone away from the program and looks at Respect as an opportunity for many of these kids to contribute to their communities and stay on the right path.

\u201cA few kids have mentioned that the team was keeping them away from the gangs they used they hang out with outside of school hours,\u201d he said.

Not only is the popularity of the program growing, but so too is their winning streak. When the club kicked off, the teams were getting beat by 40 to 50 points each. The last game they faced off to the top undefeated team in the league, and Respect took home the win.

The main season for the club will start this coming March. The club relies on donations and sponsorships to run the program and keep fees low. You can learn more about the team at respectbasketball.ca<\/a> or https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/respectbball\/?hl=en<\/a><\/p>\r\n

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