NBA All-Star, Jermaine O'Neal Drives New Player Development paradigm for Young Athletes
Drive Nation Skills Academy launched ahead of new facility opening in September
DALLAS-FORT WORTH, Texas, March 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Six-time NBA All-Star, Jermaine O'Neal is dedicated to building a new player development paradigm that impacts the health, wellness, and education of local athletes. And, he isn't waiting for the completion of his state-of-the-art $10.4 million-dollar sports facility to take action. His Total Player Development philosophy is a reflection of his successful playing career and what it took to get there. And it all starts with his Drive Nation Skills Academy — a new program that will be hosted temporarily at Carrol Senior High School (starting March 19, 2017, for both boys and girls, grades 3-12).
Jermaine believes that in order to get to the next level, both players and their parents need to understand that there are a number of factors that go into developing a young athlete. "My mission is to create the total player," says Jermaine. "Not just from a performance training and skills development standpoint, but also from an emotional wellness, leadership and character standpoint as well. We want to develop kids for college. That's the ultimate goal." Jermaine's skills academy – and his 90,000 Sq. Ft. facility, slated to open in September, will embody his total player development approach, providing premier services like on-site sports performance training and nutritional coaching.
O'Neal, a resident of Southlake, is ever-focused on giving back to the community through sports. The vision for the Drive Nation Sports Complex and the Drive Nation Skills Academy is to create well-rounded, dynamic players through excellent physical training, skills development, and elite-level coaching that is unmatched, not only in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but Texas itself.
"If you develop a kid physically, mentally and emotionally, the right way, from a young age, you are preparing them for success not only on the court or playing field in the form of scholarships, but for the game of life itself," says O'Neal of his player development strategy.
The unique approach, which cultivates mental toughness, discipline and character has been paying off for those closest to Jermaine, including his daughter Asjia, a junior in high school and an outstanding volleyball player, and his 10-year old son Jermaine Jr. a talented young basketball player, determined to follow in his father's footsteps.
Along with his other highly-qualified coaches, Jermaine brings over two decades of professional experience to the Drive Nation Skills Academy which is now accepting registrations for boys and girls of all ages (grades 3-12) and skill levels. As a part of the Total Player Development Academy philosophy the goal is to treat each and every player with the same amount of respect, regardless of their skill level.
The Drive Nation Sports Facility, located on 16.2 acres at the DFW airport, will feature more than 90,000 square feet of indoor space, including basketball and volleyball courts, player lounges, a 10,000 Sq. Ft. weight room, performance training area and a 50-yard all-purpose indoor turf area, among other amenities. The project is slated to open in September of 2017 and will be managed by the industry-leading outsourced management firm, the Sports Facilities Management.
SOURCE Drive Nation
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