‍TORONTO (Sept. 17, 2025) – Canada Basketball announced today the 15 new UNIFIED Assist Program grant recipients. These recipients will each receive funding to support the continuation of programs that work to grow the game of basketball nationwide at the community and grassroots levels.

In collaboration with funding partners of Government of Canada Community Sport For All Initiative (CSAI) and Nike, Canada Basketball will distribute over $180,000 in grants to organizations that prioritize delivering inclusive and safe sport programming in the areas of youth basketball skill development, youth sports leadership, or coaching and officiating development.

“The UNIFIED Assist Program is a reflection of our broader commitment to growing the game in ways that matter – for access, equity and strengthening communities,” said Stephanie Withall, vice-president, business & marketing operations for Canada Basketball. “Now in its third year, this initiative continues to drive meaningful change by supporting organizations that are breaking down barriers and building inclusive pathways to the game from coast to coast to coast.

“With grant recipients spanning seven provinces and one territory, we’re proud to stand alongside grassroots leaders who are helping shape a future that’s not only Best in Canada — but Best for Canada, too.”

Canada Basketball launched the UNIFIED Assist Program in 2023 to support non-profit community programs and initiatives developing inclusive and equitable youth opportunities through sport. The UNIFIED Assist Program works to identify and support groups focused on increasing access to the game by assisting organizations in removing barriers they face within underserved, underrepresented, or marginalized communities from across the country.

‍Canada Basketball is proud to announce the 2025 UNIFIED Assist Program grant recipients:

‍Ball Her Way (Montréal, Que.)

Bring Em' Up (Regina, Sask.)

Charlottetown Minor Basketball Association (Charlottetown, P.E.I.)

Girls Who Leap (Vancouver, B.C.)

HoopQueens (Pickering, Ont.)

Kickback (Toronto, Ont.)

Lay-Up Youth Basketball (Toronto, Ont.)

Muslim Women’s Summer Basketball League (Niagara, Ont.)

Point Goddess (Toronto, Ont.)

Regina Community Basketball Association (Regina, Sask.)

Saskatchewan Homecourt Basketball Foundation (Saskatoon, Sask.)

Shoot For Peace (Toronto, Ont. & Edmonton, Alta.)

Vancouver Basketball Association (Vancouver, B.C.)

Warriorz Basketball (Winnipeg, Man.)

Wolf Pack Basketball (Whitehorse, Yukon)

Funding provided to groups through the UNIFIED Assist Program will support ongoing on-court sport initiatives empowering tomorrow’s starting line-ups through inclusive basketball programming, while supporting the growth of the game through coach and officiating development. Grants distributed in partnership with Nike will prioritize supporting programs that aim to welcome, serve, and empower more girls and women in basketball in underserved or underrepresented regions.

Since 2022, Canada Basketball and its partners have awarded over $460,000 in grants to over 50  community basketball organizations from coast-to-coast-to-coast.

Canada Basketball received over 400 UNIFIED Assist Program applications from community groups and organizations across 11 provinces and territories since the program inception. Organizations not selected for grant support enter the UNIFIED Assist Program Development Pool, where they will be eligible for ongoing support and development through various Canada Basketball alignment programs such as NCCP and NOCP certifications, the Jr. NBA program, the Canada Basketball Verification Program and Safe Sport training.

For additional information on the UNIFIED Assist Program, to learn more about future application windows, or to contribute to the growth of the game, visit basketball.ca.