Ryan Webb, an assistant coach for the Seattle Storm, attempts to steal the ball during a dribbling drill as part of the Sue Bird Basketball Clinic at a JBLM gym Jan. 23, 2015. Bird, a renowned point guard with the Storm and gold-medal-winning Olympia...

Sue Bird, a gold-medal-winning Olympian and point guard for the Seattle Storm, works with a group of children on ball control during a basketball clinic at a JBLM gym Jan. 23, 2015. Bird said that team sports help children develop confidence, respect...

Sue Bird, a gold-medal-winning Olympian and point guard for the Seattle Storm, demonstrates a ball handling technique during a basketball clinic at a JBLM gym Jan. 23, 2015. Bird told her students that one of the biggest ways to be successful at bask...

Participants in the Sue Bird Basketball Clinic are put through their paces during a warm-up at a JBLM gym Jan. 23, 2015. The free event allowed more than 60 military children to enjoy hands-on training from Sue Bird, a gold-medal-winning Olympian and...

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - More than an hour into a visit with Sue Bird, a Seattle Storm point guard and famed WNBA athlete, the biggest competition is between the sound of children's laughter and more than 60 individual basketballs being dribbled, shot and chased around the gym.

It is a joyful cacophony; a free opportunity for military children to play and learn from the best. This event, and other partnerships between professional and semi-professional teams throughout the area, are done in conjunction with the Child, Youth & School Services Sports Program here. Team sports are available on a year-round basis at JBLM, with the spring session of soccer starting up soon.

Bird, a gold-medal-winning Olympian, is a big proponent of children becoming involved in team sports. Sports lay the foundation for a healthy lifestyle, but beyond that, she said they introduce children to life skills which will make them better and more productive adults.

"Obviously not everybody gets to be a professional athlete, but things that I learned in third, fourth, fifth grade, those qualities - playing well with others, learning how to get along group settings - I was able to use in the classroom, in my friendships and, from what I understand, a lot of basketball players have been able to use that in the business world," said Bird.

For military children, who often relocate with their parents every few years, she said the basketball court could be the thing that stays the most constant for them and might help with that uncertain feeling of being the "new kid" in town.

After a brief introduction, Bird and a player development coach for the team, Ryan Webb, joined other volunteers to walk the kids through warm-ups and five different skills stations. The children were actively engaged from start to finish and had many opportunities for hands-on training from the superstar.

"The kids are smiling and having a good time, and I think the exposure to a professional athlete, in this case Sue Byrd, is really a positive thing for them. It helps to motivate them to keep learning and getting better," said Spc. Isaac Byars, a vertical construction engineer from the 585th Engineer Company. Byars volunteers with the CYSS Sports Program as a basketball coach for a team of 7- and 8-year-olds, known as The Ballers.

"The biggest thing is for the kids to learn something new, tips or skills that are different from what they might learn in their everyday practices. It helps keep them excited," he explained.

Byars attended the clinic to support one of his players.

A big fan of basketball himself, he said volunteering to head the team was a win-win because he loves the sport and mentoring children. He encouraged parents to bring their children to these events and enroll them in team sports, saying that it was a great way to make friendships, and other soldiers to volunteer their time to help make a difference in the lives of children.

Bird, who has participated in countless youth basketball clinics, said fun was the priority of the day and judging from the faces of the children: Mission accomplished.