TORONTO, ON – Canada Basketball and Bay Street Hoops have announced that applications are open for the “Grow the Game” community outreach program. The program looks to further the accessibility, development and sustainability of basketball in underserved GTA communities.
Canada Basketball partnered with Bay Street Hoops in spring 2014. Bay Street Hoops is one of Toronto’s largest sports-related charity events, raising funds to make sports more accessible for children and youth in the Toronto area.
“We look forward to executing Grow the Game with our partners at Bay Street Hoops,” said Rowan Barrett, Executive Vice President and Assistant General Manager of Men’s High Performance. “This program not only services underserved youth, but also the coaches and facilitators who are the backbone of grassroots basketball programming.”
In the pilot year, four communities will be chosen to receive a coaching clinic; a two-hour youth basketball clinic, delivered by NCCP certified coaches using Canada Basketball curriculum; as well as a monetary donation to sustain the growth of basketball in their community.
“We’re excited to support Grow the Game as we believe it will provide a lasting impact on communities,” said Taje Mohabir, Chair of Bay Street Hoops. “We hope this program will help reduce some of the barriers that exist and provide youth an opportunity to participate and embrace the game of basketball.”
To be eligible, applicants must be a charitable or non-profit organization, with a community mandate, targeting underserved youth. The organization must be able to provide a suitable facility to host elements of the program.
Applications must be submitted to myorke@basketball.ca or mailed to Canada Basketball by Monday, February 23. The applications will be reviewed by an internal evaluation committee and successful applicants will be notified. More information on Grow the Game and applications available here.
ABOUT BAY STREET HOOPS
Bay Street Hoops is one of Toronto’s largest sports-related charity events, bringing together fun, community and charity to make sports more accessible to children and youth in Toronto. Since 1995, more than $2.3 million has been raised for children and youth charities in the Toronto area, including $110,000 in 2014. This year, over 600 players from Toronto’s leading law and accounting firms, financial services companies and other corporations, as well as hundreds of spectators and volunteers, attended the tournament and its related events in support of this year’s beneficiaries a KidSports and Drive for Dreams Foundation.
For More Information, contact:
Bailey Williams
Manager, Communications
Canada Basketball
Tel: 416.614.8037 ex 206
E-mail: bwilliams@basketball.ca
Erin Truax
Bay Street Hoops
E-mail: etruax@hotmail.com
About Canada Basketball:
Canada Basketball is a private, not-for-profit corporation committed to excellence in leading the growth of the game domestically and in pursuing medal performances on the international stage.