OTTAWA, Ont. (November 5, 2021) -- The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) announced their 2021-2022 National Sport Organization (NSO) Grant recipients last week, with Canada Basketball and the the newly established Maritime Women's Basketball Association (MWBA) Coaching Program have been selected to receive funding.

Canada Basketball will work in conjunction with the MWBA to deliver the coaching program with a goal of building capacity for female coaches in a female league. The project will provide funding for coaches and athletes who are interested in transitioning to coaches to pursue the Train to Compete Coach Education pathway.

Recipients of the 2021-2022 NSO Grant have a common goal of increasing the diversity of the coaching population, ensuring the sport community and sport environments are inclusive and accessible, and that the opportunities for coaches are equitable.

In 2019, the CAC conducted a study on coaching diversity and inclusion initiatives launched by NSOs. The goal of this research was to identify how the CAC could best support their NSO partners in achieving our collective goals for equity in coaching. In response, the CAC expanded the NSO Grant program to increase support and resources available for program development and implementation.

The Commissioner of the MWBA, Nova Scotian Tasia McKenna, highlighted the mission behind the MWBA stating, “The Maritime Women’s Basketball Association (MWBA) is about creating an opportunity for women to get on the court and compete, but it also prides itself on putting more women into leadership positions."

"We know women are underrepresented in coaching positions in Canada, and with the support of Canada Basketball, we hope to play a role changing the narrative. It is our intention at the MWBA to support two women per franchise to complete all three sport specific courses for Train to Compete (Comp-Dev), one of the highest levels of coach education offered in Canada," added McKenna.

The program will be delivered virtually in order to allow for attendance of coaches and athletes who may not currently be situated on the East Coast to participate in the courses together.

On her excitement about receiving the grant and partnering with Canada Basketball McKenna said, "Change can be made independently, but it’s easier when made in collaboration with others, and that is why we are incredibly appreciative to team up with Canada Basketball on this coach education initiative.”