Tyler Slipp has never known a world without basketball. 

The former Executive Director of Basketball New Brunswick, recently transitioned to his new role as Director of Sport Participation and Development with Sport New Brunswick. 

Growing up surrounded by basketball, he was deeply influenced by his family’s legacy in the sport. His mother represented Canada as an Olympian in 1976, while his father played for the University of New Brunswick.

“When I grew up, everything was basketball – including dinner table conversations,” Slipp recalled. “The first place I went to after I was born was the gym at UNB. So, literally, I had no other choice.”

But Slipp didn’t just inherit the sport; he worked to reshape it for the next generation.

After more than 15 years of coaching experience – from the University of New Brunswick to stints at Simon Fraser and Waterloo, and an apprenticeship with Canada Basketball’s National Elite Development Academy – Slipp changed the playbook for youth hoops.

Over the past six years his focus was clear: make the game accessible, structured, and enjoyable for kids. Enter Jr. NBA/WNBA Youth Basketball, a grassroots program delivered in partnership with Canada Basketball and NBA Canada.

Building a Better Blueprint

Slipp noticed a shift in youth sports culture: coaching responsibilities were falling to parents, many of whom lacked formal experience but wanted to give their kids a meaningful introduction to basketball.

“Most of the people involved in coaching basketball in our province now are parents,” Slipp said. “It’s people who want to volunteer and give kids good experiences, but don't know exactly what to do.”

The Jr. NBA/WNBA program offered a solution. 

Designed for kids aged 5-12, it provides parent-volunteer coaches with detailed practice plans and a curriculum tailored to age-specific skill development.

“Coaching 7-year olds is a way different thing. Coaching 9-year olds is a way different thing,” Slipp said. “The curriculum meant they didn’t have to be an expert. They could just follow the plan and explain it to kids. It was awesome.”

The program also solves the logistical headaches that come with organizing youth basketball. Jerseys, balls, and other uniform pieces – all typically cost- and time-prohibitive for small clubs – are included.

“It solved all your problems,” Slipp emphasized. “It was cheaper and saved everybody time.”

Maximizing Participation

In New Brunswick, where gym space is scarce, Slipp’s nontraditional approach continues to  be a game-changer. By reimagining practice formats, he found ways to include more kids without overloading facilities.

“You don’t need 12 kids practicing for 90 minutes in a gym at those ages,” Slipp explained. “We encourage a format for Jr. NBA/WNBA of having about 40 kids in the gym. We would use every basket in an elementary school gym and get as many parents as possible to help.”

Picture it: a gym alive with movement—six baskets, dozens of kids, parents chipping in, and a lead coach guiding the chaos with a Jr. NBA/WNBA practice plan in hand.

This strategy not only addressed facility shortages but attracted more families. Clubs across the province took notice, drawn to the program’s credibility and its affiliation with Canada Basketball and the NBA, becoming one of the country’s fastest-growing youth initiatives.

The numbers tell the story. From Fredericton to Salisbury to Moncton, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA is proving its value. Fredericton Youth Basketball Association (Fusion Basketball), for example, embraced the program’s resources and structure.

“Partnering with Canada Basketball was an easy decision as it gives us access to expertise and high-quality resources,” the club said. “The visibility and credibility through national recognition have been huge for our community.”

For the Salisbury Petitcodiac Minor Basketball Association, the Jr. NBA/WNBA program became a lifeline during the pandemic. With government restrictions limiting play, the program’s accessibility allowed them to stay connected and grow.

“Having immediate access to training instruction and tangible materials like t-shirts, basketballs, and bags kept us all connected,” the association said. “Since then, we’ve grown the program to see up to 75 entrants!”

The Road Ahead

New Brunswick’s Jr. NBA/WNBA boom is proof that big change can happen with the right tools. And Slipp, with his years of coaching and Canada Basketball experience, knows this success isn’t limited to his province.

“Canada Basketball handles all the forms, all the waivers. They do all the shipping,” he says. “It’s set up for success.”

The model works because it puts kids first. It takes the stress off parents. It gives small clubs a chance to grow. And it does something even bigger: it builds a connection to the game, to community, and to Canada’s basketball future.

“It’s good for the kids. It’s good for the parents. It’s good for the coaches. It’s good for the clubs. It’s good for the province, and it’s good for basketball in Canada,” he said. “Those kids identify with their national team, and I think that’s a good thing.”

Slipp isn’t done imparting his vision. 

As he leaves his role, he’s encouraging other provinces and organizations to adopt the Jr. NBA/WNBA program, emphasizing its proven ability to transform youth basketball: “It works, and it’s a no-brainer.”

Youth basketball in New Brunswick isn’t just growing – it’s thriving. And the best part? More kids than ever are falling in love with the game, one practice plan at a time.

To learn more about the Jr. NBA/WNBA program, visit: https://www.jrnba.ca/.

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