Since Daniella Mbengo was a little girl, she didn’t have many resources to go into basketball. In fact, she believed that any existing opportunities weren’t meant for her. When Mbengo learned she would be a recipient of the Athletes on Track bursary, she knew what path she was on.

“I would love to start a program at my former high school,” Mbengo said. “The main focus will be supporting student-athletes, especially the girls. Through this program, we will conduct sessions that explore various aspects of life as a student-athlete...I aim to provide guidance, share experiences, and create a supportive community that empowers young women to thrive on and off the court.”

Mbengo’s goals made her a good fit as a recipient.  Designed in collaboration with U SPORTS and BlackNorth Initiative (BNI), the Athlete on Track bursaries recognize eight Black student-athletes across Canada within the U SPORTS ecosystem. Canada Basketball partnered with these organizations in the program’s second year to support Canadian basketball student-athletes like Daniella.

In addition to the $5,000 bursaries, BNI will assign each student a mentor, who will provide assistance and guidance in various general skills like resume construction and public speaking and address individualized needs tailored to each student's specific requirements.

To be eligible for the bursary, student-athletes must identify as Black (Afro-Caribbean, African Canadian, and/or racialized), be enrolled at a Canadian university, and be members of the U SPORTS varsity team.

As a basketball student-athlete at McGill University, Mbengo looks forward to the mentorship and the financial support. 

“Being a student-athlete is challenging, especially at a prestigious institution like McGill,” she said. “While I am grateful for the opportunity to study here, I do not come from a financially advantaged background. I am truly grateful for this opportunity because this bursary relieves the financial pressure, allowing me to commit to both my athletic and academic commitments fully.”

On the mentorship side, Mbengo hopes to create a lasting professional relationship and learn from their experiences. “I wish I had access to relatable role models early in my career; I would have benefited from all the knowledge they would have shared,” she said.

Now, Mbengo names Dianna Ros, head coach of the Bishops University women’s basketball program and a proud McGill alumna, as an important mentor. She also names her former teammates, who are the reason she found this bursary. Along with her coaches, Mbengo received support and confidence to apply.

Mbengo has been playing basketball since she was seven years old, and she doesn’t plan to stop yet. She has goals of capturing another provincial title and making it to the national championship with McGill.

Furthermore, as a basketball recipient of the Athletes on Track bursary, she plans to give back to her community, specifically her previous schools and basketball programs.

“I believe that my experiences and the opportunities to which I have been exposed will allow me to give back to the young girls in these programs. My main goal is to ensure they have access to various information about our sport and its challenges and foster enriching conversations about these topics. I believe it will help them navigate not only their careers but also their daily lives.”

‍About BlackNorth Initiative 

The BlackNorth Initiative is on a mission to end anti-Black systemic racism in all aspects of our lives by utilizing a business-first mindset. We are committed to removing anti-Black systemic barriers negatively affecting the lives of Black Canadians. For more information, visit https://blacknorth.ca/ and follow us on social media @blacknorthca.

About U SPORTS

U SPORTS is the national brand for university sports in Canada. Every year, over 15,500 student-athletes and 700 coaches vie for 21 national championships in 12 different sports. U SPORTS also provides high-performance international opportunities at the FISU Winter and Summer World University Games, World University Championships, University World Cups, and various educational initiatives.

U SPORTS collaborates with 57 members and four conferences, the Canadian sports system, and Corporate Canada on the growth and delivery of university sports to student-athletes across the country.