In conjunction with PartipACTION’s fourth instalment of Sports Day in Canada, Canada Basketball has proudly partnered with the health and fitness organization and the nation’s provincial and territorial basketball organizations to announce the second annual Basketball Coaches Day in Canada. The 2013 edition of the national campaign will fall on Saturday, November 30.

Basketball Coaches Day in Canada recognizes and celebrates the tremendous contributions of these talented individuals who have generously given to the sport in Canada. Their tireless efforts, endless dedication and boundless passion have grown the game and developed it into one of the most played and most popular sports across the country. The leadership and guidance that these men and women have shown strengthens Canada’s standing as a basketball nation as Team Canada seeks continued success on the international stage.

Michele O’Keefe, executive director of Canada Basketball, spoke to the quality of Canada’s coaches and the importance of this event. “Canada is fortunate to have some of the most gifted coaches in the world – from the nation’s many local youth and club programs to our provincial teams and national teams. Canada Basketball is excited for this opportunity to join the community in thanking our coaches for the time they give to develop our young Canadians through basketball. This is our chance to come together as one and say thank you.”

Kelly Murumets, President and CEO of ParticipACTION added, “Coaches play an important role in supporting the development of Canadians in sport. We are delighted that Canada Basketball will be honouring these talented individuals during Sports Day in Canada – our national celebration of sport.”

Canada Basketball encourages the participation of basketball clubs, schools, community members and sporting associations to band together and express their gratitude and appreciation for the many basketball coaches throughout Canada. As the national governing body for the sport, Canada Basketball will join the provincial and territorial basketball organizations in encouraging and promoting the nationwide initiative during the week of November 24 to 30.

In a joint effort between Canada Basketball and its provincial and territorial partners, a National Coaches Awards and Recognition program has been organized to run alongside Basketball Coaches Day in Canada. This added initiative will honour coaches who have made a significant and meaningful contribution to the sport through each stage of Canada Basketball’s Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model – a consistent framework of advancement through which coaches can further players’ skills and abilities.

Suggestions for activities in support of Basketball Coaches Day in Canada:

• Recognize your coaches through newsletters and websites
• Incorporate coach-appreciation events into your fall league registrations
• Organize a coaching clinic
• Send out thank you emails and letters of support

To get involved:

1. CREATE an event
2. REGISTER the event online through sportsday.cbc.ca
3. PROMOTE the event in the community
4. UPLOAD photos and videos via facebook.com/CBCSports and facebook.com/CanadaBasketball and SHARE using #SportsDay and #CanBall

Canada Basketball is issuing a challenge to the nation’s basketball community to support the game and make basketball the MOST registered sport with the highest number of events on Sports Day in Canada.

For additional information on Sports Day in Canada, please visit sportsday.cbc.ca or www.participACTION.com.

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