NIFEE: Welcome
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We are currently preparing for future exchanges...stay posted for more information
Letter to the Tribune
On behalf of the more than 70 student-athletes and coaching staff from Canada and Japan who participated in the first half of the 2010-2011 Niagara International Friendship Exchanges for Education (NIFEE) basketball exchange, we would like to thank the Tribune for the coverage that was provided our global cultural-educational program.
The Tribune has always been a strong endorser of NIFEE and its programs. In 1993 the Japanese national under-20 boys' team was runner up in the Tribune tournament. Many student-athletes and coaches who have participated in the basketball tournament have represented themselves, their families, their schools, their Niagara communities, and Canada while hosting foreign peers and travelling overseas. This newspaper and the enthusiasm of its supporters have facilitated the development and success of NIFEE in the Niagara Region.
The 2010 NIFEE exchange was bolstered by the City of Port Colborne, the Niagara Parks Commission, the Niagara College Department of Athletics, and 13th Street Winery. Their efforts allow the youth of today a chance to experience international competition through their common language: basketball and the spirit and energy of youth. Hopefully, these experiences will edify today's youth and allow them to become the community leaders of our future.
NIFEE is fortunate to have a dedicated group of parents who organize our programs. Each exchange builds upon the NIFEE legacy, one that has grown since 1991.
The NIFEE board of directors wishes to thank the NIFEE parents of yesterday, today, and tomorrow for their hard work and belief in the ideals of this exchange.
Their commitment to their children and Niagara communities makes this region a stronger one.
Paul Faris
Executive Director
Niagara International Friendship Exchanges for Education (NIFEE)
Purpose
NIFEE is dedicated to the ongoing development of overseas educational and cultural exchange opportunities through the game of basketball.
The NIFEE Program
· NIFEE is a member of Basketball Ontario and has hosted several successful Basketball Ontario sanctioned tournaments.
· Since the program’s inception over 1200 families from the Niagara Region and Japan have participated in the program.
· Names of prospective exchange students are submitted by local educational professionals (school principals, teachers, consultants, coaches, etc.) to the NIFEE Board of Directors.
· Participating students along with their families prepare over a two year period for an exchange with Japanese student-athletes.
· The first phase of the program takes place when a group of Japanese students-athletes travel in the summer from Japan to the Niagara Region and are homestays with a host family. During their visit the Japanese students will participate in a number of basketball games as well as experience the Canadian culture by living with their host family. The host families will also share with these students the highlights of the Niagara Region.
· The second phase of the program takes place the following summer when the students-athletes from the Niagara Region travel to Japan and are homestays of students they hosted the previous year. The same format will be followed with our students now experiencing the Japanese culture through their host families.
Summer 2007
· 87 Japanese students-athletes, coaches and representatives, both male and female were hosted by families in the Niagara Region for 12 days. This 12 days was filled with many activities including sightseeing, jet boating, family days, group get togethers, informal basketball practices and scrimmages and culminated with our “basketball games day”.
Summer 2008
· Approximately 60 (30 male and 30 female) student-athletes along with coaches and NIFEE representatives travelled to Japan and were hosted by Japanese families for approximately 14 days. These two weeks began with a tour of Tokyo which was followed by a tour enroute to our destination of Nagaoka. Students spent the remainder of their time with their homestays and enjoyed activities in Japan which included basketball, a practice with a Japanese professional team, family outings, and the beautiful Nagoaka festival. The week culminated with the games day and a farewell party. The emotions displayed as we departed Nagaoka reflected the memorable experience had by all and the friendships which were formed.
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