Harlem Globetrotters Offering Basketball Clinic for Kids in Issaquah

If your kids want to dunk like Curly Neal or own the court like Meadowlark Lemon, here's their chance to learn from the pros this summer. The Harlem Globetrotters will host youth clinics in the Seattle area, including at 24 Hour Fitness in Issaquah, on July 18 and 19.

For the first time, the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters are partnering with 24 Hour Fitness to host 120 summer skills clinics for youth across the U.S. Designed to take fans ages six to 14 behind the curtain to see the magic behind the Globetrotters’ electrifying basketball skills and tricks, participants will also learn about the importance of staying active and eating healthy. The innovative clinics will take place at approximately 40 - 24 Hour Fitness clubs in nine states over a 10-week period this summer, including three locations in Seattle.

“We are excited to partner with 24 Hour Fitness on this innovative program that combines the world’s most entertaining basketball team and a national fitness leader,” Harlem Globetrotters CEO Kurt Schneider said. “These clinics are an extension of our brand and allow our fans to experience unparalleled interaction with our talented players, while promoting health and wellness for children in a fun setting.”

Each clinic will be conducted by current Globetrotter players. Two, three-hour clinics will be held during the following dates and times at these 24 Hour Fitness locations:

• 12922 SE Kent Kangley Rd. Kent, WA 98030; July 16-17; 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 2:00-5:00 p.m.
• 5712 E. Lake Sammanish Parkway Issaquah, WA 98029; July 18-19; 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 2:00-5:00 p.m.
• 11014 19^th Ave. SE Suite 4 Everett, WA 98208; July 20; 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 2:00-5:00 p.m.

“Like the Harlem Globetrotters, 24 Hour Fitness believes in the importance of keeping our children active through physical activity and sports,” said Randy Drake, senior vice president of fitness and business development, 24 Hour Fitness. “We are excited to be able to offer these unique and entertaining basketball clinics to our members and partner with the iconic Globetrotters.”

As part of the partnership, the Harlem Globetrotters will offer participants a voucher for a complimentary ticket to a 2013 World Tour game. Additionally, 24 Hour Fitness will offer free three-day passes and discounts on club memberships to parents of clinic participants.

Registration information about the summer skills clinics can be found at www.harlemglobetrotters.com, where visitors can find a complete list of clinic locations, dates, and times. Kids who sign up for a clinic by April 30 will receive a limited-time discount offer of $49.00.

To supplement the live clinics, the Globetrotters will also run “how to” drills and skills videos on key social media platforms to extend the experience for clinic participants.

About the Harlem Globetrotters

Sponsored by Howard Johnson Hotels, Greyhound Lines, Spalding, and Russell Athletic, the Original Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating their 86th consecutive year, continuing a world famous tradition of ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that continues to thrill fans of all ages. Throughout their history, the Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 120 countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans—among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents—over more than eight thrilling decades. For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters, and to purchase tickets and team merchandise, visit the Globetrotters’ official Web site: www.harlemglobetrotters.com.

About 24 Hour Fitness

Headquartered in San Ramon, Calif., 24 Hour Fitness serves nearly four million members in approximately 420 clubs across the U.S. The first club opened in 1979. The clubs feature convenient locations, personal training services, innovative group exercise classes and a variety of strength, cardio and functional training equipment.

Through its support of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and many U.S. National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of sport, 24 Hour Fitness is one of the largest supporters of amateur athletics in the country and will serve as the Official Fitness Center Sponsor of the 2012 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams. The company says it is committed to being a good neighbor in its communities via charitable and in-kind donations to groups focused on both helping Americans get healthy and improving youth fitness. Call 1-800-224-0240 or visit 24hourfitness.com for more information about 24 Hour Fitness.