‍TORONTO (March 6, 2024) — Canada Basketball, in collaboration with the Nick Nurse Foundation, is thrilled to announce the inaugural Canada Basketball Emerging Coaches Summit, hosted virtually March 15-17, 2024. This new landmark event will support Canadian post-secondary student basketball athletes in kickstarting their coaching journeys.

Canada Basketball is excited to join efforts with the Nick Nurse Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Nick Nurse, head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers and former head coach of Canada's Senior Men’s National Team, to foster the growth of the game. The Emerging Coaches Summit reflects a shared commitment across both organizations to support youth as they explore careers as basketball coaches.

Utilizing a unique virtual platform which prioritizes engagement, participants will have the opportunity to learn from notable Canadian coaches and leaders of the game, who will provide insight and knowledge regarding various topics such as, but not limited to, leadership, coaching as a profession, and technical and tactical coaching strategies.

Speakers for the inaugural Canada Basketball Emerging Coaches Summit include:

- Scouting & Game Planning: Steve Baur – Senior Manager, Analytics, Canada Basketball and Senior Women’s National Team Assistant Coach

- Transformational Coaching Speakers Panel: featuring Mike MacKay, Performance Manager, Women’s High Performance, Canada Basketball, as well as Jalynn Skeir and Ashley Hoitink

- The Role of Video in Coaching Basketball: Phil Jevtovic – Senior Manager, Analytics & Strategy, Canada Basketball

- Developing Your Practice Plan: Isabel Ormond – Head Coach, UBC Women’s Basketball

- The Structure of a Prep Program: Victor Raso – Head Coach, Niagara River Lions (CEBL) and Head Coach, Ridley College

- Preparing for Life as a Coach + Q & A: Jon Goodwillie – Senior Men’s National Team Assistant Coach

The Emerging Coaches Summit will look to support current U SPORTS and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) basketball athletes free of cost and accept public applications from young coaches (under 30) at a subsidized price of only $40. Participants will receive access to a three-day event featuring a comprehensive speaker series focusing on the various pathways young coaches can take to be involved in the game.

Interested U SPORTS and CCAA student-athletes are encouraged to speak with their coaches or athletics directors for additional information on accessing free registration codes. 

"Coaches play such an important role in the growth of the game, and more importantly, the growth of the individual,” said Ron Yeung, Head of Domestic & 3X3 Development at Canada Basketball. “The Emerging Coaches Summit provides an opportunity for us to invest in the next generation of Canadian coaches and will help to raise awareness of the wide range of pathways for youth aspiring to have careers in coaching.”

After completing the virtual summit, select U SPORTS and CCAA basketball student-athletes will receive complimentary access to the NCCP Train to Compete education module, which will be delivered through virtual online learning modules later in 2024.

The Emerging Coaches Summit provides an invaluable opportunity for Canadian student-athletes to learn from and access mentorship from various coaches and industry experts while providing a safe and inclusive space to expand their knowledge and professional networks. 

Interested public applicants who wish to join the program at a subsidized cost of $40 are encouraged to apply through the online Emerging Coach Summit application portal, including a free upgraded Game Plan account.