For young athletes across Belize, the annual Easter break has become synonymous with more than just holiday relaxation—it is an opportunity to chase basketball dreams on the court at the long-running Rose Classic Youth Basketball Camp. Now marking its 18th consecutive year, the program, founded and led by Belizean-American sports organizer Cleon Hyde, has evolved far beyond its humble origins to become a cornerstone of youth athletic development across the country.
What began as a small community initiative designed to keep local young people engaged in positive activity and away from unsafe street environments has grown into a national development program centered on three core values: discipline, collaborative teamwork, and intentional mentorship for the next generation of Belizean athletes. With generous corporate support from global sportswear brand Nike, every registered participant receives full team gear including matching tops and bottoms, along with access to structured, skill-building training sessions that prioritize both athletic growth and character development. Additional incentives for top performers include custom t-shirts, branded caps, and commemorative medals for members of the winning tournament team.
In an interview with local outlet News Five, Hyde reflected on the milestone year and the strong turnout for 2026, which saw more than 100 high school-aged boys and girls from across Belize register to take part. “I’m celebrating my eighteenth year in Belize and what we’re doing is a showcase of high school boys and girls,” Hyde explained. “And we had a nice turnout of over a hundred kids. And so far today we’re closing out our session. And so far it’s been going pretty good, I must say. Happy to see the results of what’s going on with so many kids.”
When asked what drives him to return to Belize year after year to run the program without financial compensation, Hyde pointed to his personal passion for the work and the long-term impact the camp has had on former participants who have gone on to build successful lives. “I started out, like I said, as a test run, and the first one was successful. So it became easy because it’s a passion. It’s not something I’m doing for like money or nothing like that,” he said. “Have a good relationship with all the kids. And I’m talking about from 2007, the likes of Devin Daly, he was one of my main players. Coope Lopez. Sherwin Garcia, all these guys that are now doing great things for themselves, so it gives me that pleasure to know that I made an impact in their life for so many years doing basketball.”
As one of the longest-running annual youth sports initiatives in Belize, the Rose Classic continues to serve as a critical pipeline for emerging basketball talent while fostering life skills that extend far beyond the court for participating young people.