Basketball Manitoba

UPDATED: In Memory of Jeff Laping

2026-08-28T22:53:11.343-05:00

A Celebration of Jeff’s Life will be held Tuesday September 1, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Paul Albrechtsen MultiPlex - St. Paul’s High School at 2200 Grant Avenue in Winnipeg, MB. A reception will follow.

READ FULL OBITUARY

Basketball Manitoba is deeply saddened by the passing of Jeff Laping, a cherished coach, educator, mentor and friend whose influence reached across generations of Manitoba’s basketball community.

Jeff’s connection to basketball was about far more than the games he coached or the championships he won. He cared deeply about the young people entrusted to him, the coaches who worked alongside him and the community surrounding the sport. He led with integrity, humility and compassion, consistently demonstrating how basketball can be used to teach, connect and positively shape lives.

A graduate of St. Paul’s High School’s Class of 1989, Jeff returned to the school as a student teacher in 1995 and began teaching English Language Arts there in January 1999. He became a central figure within the St. Paul’s community, serving as an educator, coach, Vice-Principal and, most recently, as Principal.

Jeff was involved with the St. Paul’s basketball program for more than three decades. After coaching the junior varsity boys for three seasons, he became head coach of the varsity boys in 2000. Under his leadership, the Crusaders captured five conference championships and four provincial championships, and made 12 provincial Final Four appearances. Twenty-five of his players went on to compete at the Canadian collegiate or U SPORTS level and many to the professional level.

Those accomplishments tell only part of Jeff’s story. His greatest impact can be found in the countless students and athletes who became better people because he believed in them, challenged them and cared for them. He understood that coaching was ultimately about relationships, character and helping young people discover what they were capable of becoming.

In a Basketball Manitoba podcast interview recorded last year, Jeff reflected on what mattered most to him after nearly three decades of coaching.

“To me, the biggest part of coaching is the relationships,” he said. “I think I’ve always tried to be just Jeff. I haven’t tried to be somebody else.”

Those words capture Jeff to a T. He was genuine, approachable and completely himself. He treasured the relationships created through basketball and understood the importance of encouraging the next generation. Jeff spoke warmly about the coaches who supported him when he was starting out and hoped that younger coaches might one day remember him as someone who helped them along their own journeys—or simply offered a reassuring pat on the back when they needed one.

Jeff also believed that coaching was a way to give back. It was a lesson passed to him by his father, Nick, a former high school coach, and one Jeff carried throughout his life. He gave back generously—not only through the teams he coached, but through the time, guidance, friendship and sense of belonging he offered to people throughout Manitoba basketball.

The strength of those relationships could be seen in the former Crusaders who continued returning to the St. Paul’s gym years after graduating. Jeff took great pride in keeping generations of players connected with one another and with the program. For him, they never stopped being part of the team.

Jeff’s contributions extended throughout the Manitoba basketball community. Beginning in 2002, he served Basketball Manitoba in numerous capacities, including as an assistant coach with the 17U male provincial team, head coach of the 16U male provincial team and manager of Manitoba’s 2005 and 2009 male Canada Games teams.

He also coached within Canada Basketball’s Centre for Performance, served as an assistant coach with the University of Manitoba Bisons and contributed extensively to the Manitoba Basketball Coaches Association. Jeff served as president of the coaches association until 2013 and was a trusted advocate for the development, education and recognition of coaches across the province.

For more than 15 years, Jeff was Manitoba’s most active National Coaching Certification Program Learning Facilitator. He led dozens of NCCP coaching clinics and helped educate, prepare and encourage hundreds of up-and-coming coaches. His knowledge was extensive, but it was his welcoming and authentic approach that made him such an effective mentor. Jeff did not simply teach people how to coach basketball; he helped them understand the responsibility and opportunity that come with being a coach.

For more than a decade, Jeff also played a leading role in organizing, hosting and emceeing the Manitoba Basketball Coaches Association Graduating All-Star Game and Banquet, now known as the Basketball Manitoba Awards. His steady presence, warmth and humour helped make the annual celebration a memorable occasion for graduating student-athletes, coaches, families and members of the basketball community.

Jeff’s love of coaching was also closely connected to his family. Along with his many school, provincial, and high-performance roles, he coached his children at the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association and club basketball levels. These experiences gave him another opportunity to share the game he loved while spending meaningful time with those closest to him.

His many honours included being named the Manitoba AAAA Boys Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2014 and receiving the Peter Dyck Award for Coaching Excellence in 2010. While these awards reflected his outstanding ability as a coach, Jeff’s true legacy will remain the lasting influence he had on his players, students, colleagues and fellow coaches.

Jeff often reminded his players that basketball is “an easy game” and encouraged them not simply to run the play, but to make a play. It was a basketball lesson, but it also reflected the trust he placed in young people: teach them, prepare them, believe in them and then give them the confidence to make their own decisions.

Jeff represented the very best of Manitoba basketball. He was knowledgeable, thoughtful, generous and deeply committed to serving others. His leadership made our sport stronger, his friendship made our community better, and his example will continue to guide those fortunate enough to have known him.

Basketball Manitoba extends its heartfelt condolences to Jeff’s wife, Leigh Ann; their three children; his mom Bev; his siblings, Susie, Mike and Nicole; and his extended family. We also share our deepest sympathies with the entire St. Paul’s High School community and the many students, athletes, coaches, colleagues and friends mourning this profound loss.

Jeff will be deeply missed and always remembered. His legacy lives on through the people he taught, the athletes he coached, the coaches he mentored, the colleagues he supported and the relationships he valued above all else.

Rest in peace, Jeff.

Canada Basketball Hosting Age Group National Team ID Camp in Wpg for Males & Females Born 2008 to 2012 Sept 19-20

2026-08-27T19:40:35.894-05:00

Basketball Manitoba is pleased to announce it will host an Age Group National Team ID Camp on Saturday, September 19 and callbacks on Sunday, September 20, at the Sport Manitoba Courts at 145 Pacific Ave. Mike Meeks, Manager of Youth Player Development for Canada Basketball will be in Winnipeg to host the ID sessions. Canada Basketball will evaluate Manitoba male and female talent for potential invitations to the U16 and U19 National Team training camps.

Athletes are to attend the Saturday session. Decisions will be made after Saturday's session, and selected athletes will be invited to Sunday's session.

U16 TEAM (ATHLETES BORN IN 2011 & 2012) - will compete in the 2027 FIBA Americas Qualifying Tournament for a berth in the 2028 U17 WORLD CUP

U19 TEAM (ATHLETES BORN IN 2008, 2009, & 2010) - will compete in the 2027 U19 WORLD CUPS in Pardubice, Czech Republic for the men's cup and Chengdu, China for the women's cup

ID CAMP SCHEDULE

DAY #1 - OPEN

Saturday, September 19

Boys U16 & U19 ID Sessions - 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm (all 3 Courts)

Girls U16 & U19 ID Sessions - 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm (all 3 Courts)

DAY # 2 - INVITATION ONLY

Sunday, September 20

Boys U16 & U19 ID Sessions - 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (all 3 Courts)

Girls U16 & U19 ID Sessions - 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm (all 3 Courts)

CAMP LOCATION

Sport Manitoba Courts (aka Sport for Life Centre) at 145 Pacific Ave.

CAMP REGISTRATION FEE

$20 per player is due online at the point of registration.

To register, please complete the registration form found by CLICKING HERE or completing the form found below...

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SCROLL UP TO SEE THE FORM

SCHEDULE RELEASED: 2026 Male and Female Open Identification Camp Set for Canada Basketball Junior Academy - Manitoba

2026-08-27T19:40:26.004-05:00

Basketball Manitoba is excited to partner once again with Canada Basketball's Michael Meeks, Manager of Youth Player Development, to bring the Canada Basketball Junior Academy program to Manitoba. The Junior Academy is an early identification and development program developed by Canada Basketball to find potential National Team athletes across Canada. The Junior Academy targets middle school-age talent and runs a training program focusing on the skills and concepts identified by Canada Basketball as fundamental to the Canadian National Team program.

The Canada Basketball Junior Academy in Manitoba will hold an Identification Camp Weekend on September 18-20, 2026, at the Sport Manitoba Courts. This identification camp weekend is open to males and females born in 2012, 2013 and 2014. A small group from each birth year will be selected to train in Winnipeg over 5 training weekends from September to early December. Throughout these training sessions, the athletes will follow a curriculum provided by Canada Basketball, designed to prepare potential athletes to perform in the age-group National Team camps and competitions.

PROGRAM COACHES

Canada Basketball's Michael Meeks and another Canada Basketball representative will be leading the Identification Camp. A team of experienced Manitoba coaches will lead the Junior Academy Manitoba Sessions.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Junior Academy is designed as an early identification and training program to complement the current club basketball system. The training sessions are scheduled around the Peg City Showcase weekends to minimize club conflicts. The Junior Academy will not compete in any leagues or exhibition games and is strictly a training model designed by Canada Basketball.

IDENTIFICATION CAMP

The camp fee is $20.00 per person to attend the ID sessions on September 18, 19, and 20. Selection decisions will begin during the first day of the identification sessions, and selected players will be invited back to attend the following session(s) as the weekend progresses. All players must first register below to attend the ID camp sessions.

Female ID Schedule

DATE	TIME /	SESS #
SESSION #1 - ID CAMP
September 18 - Friday	5:30pm to 7:30pm	1
September 19 - Saturday	6:00pm to 8:00pm	2
September 20 - Sunday	4:00pm to 6:00pm	3
SESSION #2
October 9 - Friday	5:30pm to 7:30pm	4
October 10 - Saturday	2:00pm to 4:00pm	5
October 11 - Sunday	12:00pm to 2:00pm	6
SESSION #3
October 30, Friday	5:30pm to 7:30pm	7
October 31 - Saturday	2:00pm to 4:00pm	8
November 1 - Sunday	12:00pm to 2:00pm	9
SESSION #4
November 20 - Friday	5:30pm to 7:30pm	10
November 21 - Saturday	2:00pm to 4:00pm	11
November 22 - Sunday	12:00pm to 2:00pm	12
SESSION #5
December 4 - Friday	5:30pm to 7:30pm	13
December 5 - Saturday	2:00pm to 4:00pm	14
December 6 - Sunday	12:00pm to 2:00pm	15

Male ID Schedule

DATE	TIME	SESS #
SESSION #1 - ID CAMP
September 18 - Friday	7:45pm to 9:45pm	1
September 19 - Saturday	4:00pm to 6:00pm	2
September 20 - Sunday	2:00pm to 4:00pm	3
SESSION #2
October 9 - Friday	7:45pm to 9:45pm	4
October 10 - Saturday	4:00pm to 6:00pm	5
October 11 - Sunday	2:00pm to 4:00pm	6
SESSION #3
October 30, Friday	7:45pm to 9:45pm	7
October 31 - Saturday	4:00pm to 6:00pm	8
November 1 - Sunday	2:00pm to 4:00pm	9
SESSION #4
November 20 - Friday	7:45pm to 9:45pm	10
November 21 - Saturday	4:00pm to 6:00pm	11
November 22 - Sunday	2:00pm to 4:00pm	12
SESSION #5
December 4 - Friday	7:45pm to 9:45pm	13
December 5 - Saturday	4:00pm to 6:00pm	14
December 6 - Sunday	2:00pm to 4:00pm	15

PROGRAM FEE

Those selected for the program will pay a $350.00 program fee. The program includes 14 sessions of on-court training from September through early December, a Canada Basketball Junior Academy gear package and player insurance. This program is KidSport funding eligible, with details found HERE.

More details coming soon!

IDENTIFICATION CAMP REGISTRATION FORM

Can't see the below registration form? CLICK HERE to view it in a new window.

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MAP TO SPORT MANITOBA COURTS - 145 PACIFIC AVENUE

QUESTIONS

Questions about the program can be sent to Dan Becker at dan@basketballmanitoba.ca.
Questions on the registration process or fees can go to Tiara Preece at tiara@basketballmanitoba.ca.

DEADLINE AUG 31: 3x3 Basketball Returns to Downtown Winnipeg with Peg City at The Weekender Festival Sept 11-13, 2026

2026-08-27T19:40:10.978-05:00

Peg City Basketball has announced the return of outdoor 3x3 basketball to downtown Winnipeg as part of The Weekender, the city's newest flagship street festival.

🏀 Basketball Takes Over Downtown: 3x3 + FREE Festival + Camp

Peg City Basketball is bringing back its annual basketball festival September 11–13, taking over Graham Avenue for a weekend built around the game.

Outdoor 3x3. Competitive basketball. Dunk and shootout contests. Music, food, entertainment and a full downtown festival happening around the courts.

With divisions for youth, men, women and wheelchair basketball, plus $3,500+ in cash prizes, there’s something for players of all ages and families to enjoy.

It’s Peg City’s way of giving back to the basketball community by bringing players, families and fans together to celebrate the game.

🏀 REGISTER YOUR 3x3 TEAM

Grab your squad and compete downtown in The Weekender 3x3 Urban Challenge.

$3,500+ IN CASH PRIZES UP FOR GRABS

The tournament will feature:

Men’s 3x3 — $2,000 prize
Women’s 3x3 — $1,000 prize*
Wheelchair 3x3 — medals
Youth 3x3 — medals
Dunk Contest — free to enter + $250 prize
Shootout Contest — free to enter + $250 prize

*Women’s prize based on the number of teams registered.

Bring your squad downtown, compete on the outdoor courts and then stick around for everything happening around the tournament.

BRING THE FAMILY — THE FESTIVAL IS FREE

There will be plenty happening on and off the court, with free admission for all spectators and activities throughout the weekend, including:

GellyBall
Climbing Wall
Winnipeg Sea Bears Community Team visit
Dunk Contest — free to enter + $250 prize
Shootout Contest — free to enter + $250 prize

Plus, The Weekender festival will be happening around the courts with:

Live music performances
Food Truck Wars
Artisan market
Live wrestling

Bring your teammates, compete downtown and make a weekend out of it.

September 11–13, 2026
Graham Avenue | Garry - Fort Street
The Weekender 3x3 Urban Challenge

GRAB 3 TEAMMATES + REGISTER

REGISTER + GET THE MATTHEW KOENIG 3x3 GAME LAB INCLUDED

Youth who register through THIS LINK will receive complimentary registration to the Matthew Koenig 3x3 Game Lab / Skills Camp Saturday morning.

Matthew is an international 3x3 player and coach with experience on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour and playing and coaching in Australia and Japan.

His Saturday camp will focus on the skills and game strategies that make 3x3 different from traditional 5-on-5 basketball, so players can understand how to play the game before stepping onto the tournament court.

Learn the 3x3 game Saturday morning. Compete Saturday afternoon and Sunday.

Bring the skills you already have. Learn how they translate to 3x3. Then put them to work.

🏀 GRAB YOUR TEAM + REGISTER BY AUG 31

Whether you’re a youth community or club player, an adult league player or an experienced baller looking for a different kind of competition, grab three teammates and bring your game downtown.

REGISTER NOW

To learn more about The Weekender festival, including the full lineup of events and attractions, visit:
https://downtownwinnipegbiz.com/theweekender/
To learn more about The Peg City 3x3 programming, visit:
https://www.pegcityball.ca/content/Peg-City-3x3
You can also view the official FIBA 3x3 event page here:
https://play.fiba3x3.com/events/f8064ffb-d0af-48e7-9fb2-49a814c85596

Source: https://www.pegcityball.ca/article/114213

REMINDER: Home Court Coaches Clinic Set for Sat Sep 19 at Dakota Collegiate

2026-08-27T14:19:23.358-05:00

Basketball Manitoba has announced that registration is now open for the 2026 Home Court Coaching Clinic, hosted by Dean Favoni and Eric Sung.

The clinic will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Dakota Collegiate, located at 661 Dakota Street in Winnipeg. The professional development event is open to a maximum of 50 coaches and is designed to provide an interactive coaching experience for Manitoba’s basketball community.

The 2026 clinic will feature four experienced presenters from across the Manitoba basketball system:

Kirby Schepp - University of Manitoba / Egypt National Team / Canada Basketball
Nick Lother - Evolve Basketball / Central Canada Prep
Elijah Lostracco - University of Manitoba / Team Manitoba U17
Alyssa Cox - University of Winnipeg

The Home Court Coaching Clinic provides coaches with an opportunity to learn directly from experienced leaders working in university, provincial team, national team, school, club, and athlete development environments. The format is intended to support practical learning, coach interaction, and shared ideas that can be taken back into team and program settings.

The clinic fee is $50 per coach, with capacity limited to 50 participants.

REGISTER NOW

Hall of Fame News: In Memory of Yvette Milner

2026-08-27T09:40:00.000-05:00

With the utmost regret and sadness. the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame and Basketball Manitoba share the news of the passing of Yvette Milner on August 24, 2026.

Yvette grew up in the St. Vital area in Winnipeg. She attended Hastings Junior High and then Dakota Collegiate. She was a star high school basketball player, which earned her recognition and university scholarships. Her 1976 and 1977 Dakota Lancers Varsity Girls, MHSAA Provincial Champions, were both inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001.

She went on to star with the University of Winnipeg Wesmen women’s team in the late 1970s. She also attended Dalhousie University where she earned her degree in social work and played on their women’s basketball team. Yvette also played on Canada’s Junior National Women’s team, where she represented her country with pride.

She returned to Winnipeg and started a career in the public sector and shortly thereafter moved into the private sector. She was passionate about workplace accessibility and safety, and much of her work reflected that.

In addition, Yvette was an active and valued member of our Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame and Museum committee.

Our most sincere condolences go out to her husband, Wayne Cadogan, children Kianna and Avery, and her entire extended family.

A service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, September 11th at Thomson In The Park Funeral Home and Cemetery.

Rest in Peace, Yvette.

Source: https://www.mbhof.com/2026/08/in-memory-of-yvette-milner.html

Manitoba’s Beth Johnson, Josh Brown and Joey Johnson Named to Team Canada for 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships in Ottawa

2026-08-27T07:01:11.769-05:00

Wheelchair Basketball Canada has named 24 athletes who will represent Canada at the 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships from September 9–19 in Ottawa, with Manitoba represented by Winnipeg athlete Bethany Johnson, East St. Paul athlete Josh Brown and Lorette-based Senior Women’s National Team head coach and Basketball Manitoba’s Director of Wheelchair Operations, Joey Johnson.

BETHANY JOHNSON

Winnipeg’s Bethany Johnson has been selected to Canada’s Senior Women’s National Team and will make her World Championship debut in Ottawa. The 4.0-classified athlete first appeared with the senior national team at the 2023 Parapan American Games and was part of Canada’s fourth-place finish at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris and bronze-medal result at the 2025 IWBF Americas Cup.

Johnson graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in sport management after previously studying kinesiology at the University of Manitoba. She has also represented Manitoba in wheelchair basketball and canoe-kayak. Last summe, she interned with Basketball Manitoba as its Program Administrator.

JOSH BROWN

East St. Paul’s Josh Brown has been selected to Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team for his first senior World Championship. The 3.0-classified athlete made his senior national team debut at the 2025 IWBF Americas Cup after previously representing Canada at the junior level.

Brown played domestically with the Toronto Rollin’ Raptors and graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University. He has signed to play professionally in Spain with BSR CB Villa de Leganés for the 2026–27 season.

JOEY JOHNSON

Joey Johnson of Lorette will guide Canada’s Senior Women’s National Team as head coach. Named to the position in May 2026, Johnson previously served as an assistant coach with Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team at the 2019 Parapan American Games and the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. He most recently coached Great Britain’s men’s national team to a silver medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games.

As an athlete, Johnson competed at five Paralympic Games, winning three gold medals and one silver. He was also a member of Canada’s gold-medal team at the 2006 World Championship.

TEAM CANADA IN OTTAWA

Canada qualified automatically as the host nation. The Canadian women will compete in Group A with Brazil, China, Great Britain, Australia and Spain. The Canadian men will compete in Group D with Morocco, Germany and Iran.

Both teams open play Wednesday, September 9. The women face Spain at 4:15 p.m. EDT, followed by the men against Morocco at 7:30 p.m. EDT.

The World Championships will help determine the number of qualification positions allocated to each international zone for the 2028 Paralympic Games.

VIEW THE COMPLETE OTTAWA 2026 SCHEDULE

SENIOR WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER

Kady Dandeneau – Pender Island, B.C.
Elise Froese – Victoria, B.C.
Melanie Hawtin – Oakville, Ont.
Bethany Johnson – Winnipeg, Man.
Puisand Lai – Toronto, Ont.
Tara Llanes – North Vancouver, B.C.
Rosie Long – Oakville, Ont.
Mercy Nyakundi – Hamilton, Ont.
Cindy Ouellet – Quebec City, Que.
Tamara Steeves – Mississauga, Ont.
Élodie Tessier – Saint-Germain-de-Grantham, Que.
Arinn Young – Legal, Alta.

WOMEN’S COACHING STAFF

Joey Johnson (Lorette, Man.) – Head Coach
Craig Campbell (Coburg, Australia) – Assistant Coach
Emerson Martin (Winnipeg, Man.) – Assistant Coach
Matthew Tang (Toronto, Ont.) – Performance Analyst

WOMEN’S SUPPORT STAFF

Lindsay Berard (Winnipeg, Man.) – Mental Health Lead
Lindsay Bradley (Ottawa, Ont.) – Physician
Jeff Dunbrack (Halifax, N.S.) – High Performance Director
Paul Murata (Toronto, Ont.) – Senior Women’s Athletic Therapist
Hana Parkin (St. Catharines, Ont.) – Senior Women’s Strength and Conditioning Coach
Emma Shimizu (Ottawa, Ont.) – High Performance Coordinator

SENIOR MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER

Josh Brown – East St. Paul, Man.
Reed De’Aeth – Sherwood Park, Alta.
Nik Goncin – Regina, Sask.
Colin Higgins – Rothesay, N.B.
Brandon Louie – Don Mills, Ont.
Lee Melymick – Toronto, Ont.
Tyler Miller – Kitchener, Ont.
Blaise Mutware – Toronto, Ont.
Ibrahim Odza – Toronto, Ont.
Garrett Ostepchuk – Regina, Sask.
Kyrell Sopotyk – Aberdeen, Sask.
Lionel Tamoki – Montreal, Que.

MEN’S COACHING STAFF

Matteo Feriani (Padova, Italy) – Head Coach
Nicolas Palmer (Laval, Que.) – Assistant Coach
Jared Sajtos (Regina, Sask.) – Assistant Coach
Jesse McNalley (Toronto, Ont.) – Performance Analyst

MEN’S SUPPORT STAFF

Lindsay Berard (Winnipeg, Man.) – Mental Health Lead
Danielle de Laat (Hamilton, Ont.) – Senior Men’s Physiotherapist
Jeff Dunbrack (Halifax, N.S.) – High Performance Director
Janet McMordie (North Vancouver, B.C.) – Physician
Hailey Roll (Mississauga, Ont.) – High Performance Manager
Isaac Seabrook (Grimsby, Ont.) – Senior Men’s Strength and Conditioning Coach

Source: Wheelchair Basketball Canada

THRiVE Basketball Academy Opens Three-Month Development Program to Help Athletes Prepare for School Team Tryouts

2026-08-26T22:05:00.000-05:00

THRiVE Basketball Academy has opened registration for a three-month basketball development program intended to help athletes continue training after club tryouts and prepare for upcoming school team tryouts.

The program provides a continued development option for athletes who did not make a club team, as well as players seeking additional structured preparation before school team selections.

PROGRAM FOCUS

Purposeful skill development
Competitive and collaborative training
Controlled scrimmages and game situations
Continual coaching, evaluation and feedback
Development of athletes’ Mind, Body and Skill

According to THRiVE Basketball Academy, participating athletes will move through a continuous cycle of training, competition, feedback and application. The approach is designed to make development intentional and measurable while helping players build confidence and prepare for school basketball opportunities.

REGISTRATION

Registration and additional program information are available through THRiVE Basketball Academy.

BOOK NOW

Website: www.thrivebasketball.org

Female Rural Targeted Athlete Program (TAP) Tryout Details for 2026 Season

2026-08-26T15:13:47.804-05:00

Basketball Manitoba is pleased to announce that the 2026 Rural Targeted Athlete Program (TAP) will return, serving female athletes in Manitoba's West, East, and South regions. The training program is designed to meet the needs of each region, creating the best training experience for all athletes. This program aims to provide females in the West, East, and South regions of Manitoba the opportunity to train at a high-performance level (see below, Sport Manitoba's defined map).

Each training group will comprise approximately 20 female athletes. East Rural TAP will hold training sessions on Saturdays from September to November. The South and West Rural TAP program will train 2 times per week from October to December. The program fee will be $250.00 per athlete. Costs include training, gym rental, coach expenses, and accident and liability insurance. A player gear package will be an optional add-on at an additional cost.

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

Who: Manitoba Females

West region: born in 2009-2014 (ages 12-17)
South region: born in 2009-2014 (ages 12-17)

*Any interested athletes born in 2008, please contact the head coach of each region for information for that age group
South: email Coach Kelli at tapsouth@basketballmanitoba.ca
West: email Coach Matt at tapwest@basketballmanitoba.ca

East Region: born in 2011-2014 (ages 12-15)

What: Rural Targeted Athlete Program (TAP)
When: Fall 2026

Each region will have a different practice schedule. The head coaches of each region will notify the athletes.

Where: South (Sanford & surrounding areas), East (Stonewall/Beausejour/Selkirk and surrounding areas) and West (Brandon and Shilo and surrounding areas) Regions (as defined by Sport Manitoba).

PROGRAM FEES:

A $35.00 tryout fee will be charged when you register online.
Those selected for the program will pay a $250 program fee

OPEN TRYOUTS:

Open tryouts for this fall's Female Rural TAP will occur with the following age groups. If you are unable to attend these dates, but are still interested, please email the coaches.

EAST REGION

Location: Selkirk Community Church, St Andrews, MB

Saturday, September 12, 11am-12:30pm
Saturday, September 12, 1pm-2:30pm

If you can only attend one of the sessions, please notify Coach Christy at tapeast@basketballmanitoba.ca

SOUTH REGION

Location: Sanford Collegiate, Sanford, MB

Sunday, September 27, 3pm-4:30pm
Monday, September 28, 6pm-7:30pm

WEST REGION

Location: Henry Champ Gym, Brandon

Will begin in October, dates/times TBA. We will notify you when the dates are confirmed.

REGIONAL DEFINITIONS:

Basketball Manitoba will adhere to the current regional boundary definitions established by Sport Manitoba. The regional map details the different parts of Manitoba and the areas that fall into the East, South, and West regions. An athlete trying out for the program must reside in the region where they are trying out. What school the athlete attends is not a factor. If an athlete resides at more than one location in two different regions, the region where they spend most of their time will be used.

VIEW MANITOBA CITY / TOWN / RM / FN REGIONAL LISTING

EAST

SOUTH

WEST

IMPORTANT TRYOUT NOTES:

Players are to pre-register using the form below and complete payment within 24 hours.
Players are required to bring their own basketball to use during the tryouts. Personal basketballs should be marked with the player's name on them to aid in identifying the equipment.
Each player will receive a Basketball Manitoba t-shirt at the tryouts

MEET THE COACHES:

The TAP program is led by a group of excellent coaches who help develop young talent in the program. The head coaches for the female TAP program are:

TAP East - Head Coach Christy Steeves
TAP South- Head Coach Kelli Sinnock
TAP West - Head Coach Matt McLeod

CHRISTY STEEVES - TAP EAST HEAD COACH

Coach Christy Steeves has been a coach and teacher at Stonewall Collegiate for 20 years. She has coached the junior and varsity girls' programs, mainly concentrating her efforts on the Varsity girls'. She coached varsity and junior boys at the high school level early in her career. Christy graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Education degree. This summer, she was a co-head coach of the East female Manitoba Games team.

In 2009, she was inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame for being a member of the Warren Wildcats basketball team. She has level 1 and 2 NCCP Basketball certifications and is currently working on her Train to Compete Basketball Certification. She has coached teams that have been finalists at Provincial Championships and a few that finished in the top 4. Christy has coached basketball and track at the Legion Athletic camps and offered up camps for athletes in the Interlake. In 2018 she was selected as the Girls AAA Coach of the Year at the Basketball Manitoba Awards.

Christy enjoys participating in coaching clinics and is constantly trying to improve her coaching

repertoire. As she is always looking to help find a way for kids to develop their basketball skills, she is looking forward to being the TAP East head coach.

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KELLI SINNOCK - TAP SOUTH HEAD COACH

Coach Kelli Sinnock brings over 20 years of coaching experience to the TAP South Program. She has coached in the Jr. High and High School system, Jr. Bisons, the Provincial Team girls program and the Legion Athletic Camps. She is a Physical Education Teacher and the Varsity Girls' Basketball coach at Sanford Collegiate and has been with the Sabres since 2006. She was an assistant coach to the 17u female provincial team that went to the 2025 Canada Games in St John's. This past summer, she was the head coach of the 15u female team.

She has led the Sabres to multiple AAA Zone Championships and AAA Provincial appearances, including Provincial Finalists in 2009, Bronze Medalists in 2010, and other notable performances throughout the year.

Through many years of competition, Coach Sinnock recognizes this region's abundant talent. She is dedicated to giving the athletes of this region the opportunities to grow and learn and maximize their potential as basketball players and athletes.

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MATT McLEOD - TAP WEST HEAD COACH

Coach Matt McLeod brings a variety of coaching experiences to the West region. He has been involved in various levels of the game of basketball for over 17 years. He has coached at the club and high school levels and was selected as the head coach of the girl's basketball team at the 2024 Manitoba Summer Games. The West Team finished with a silver medal at the Manitoba Games. He is an assistant coach to the Brandon University Women's Basketball Team.

Matt has been a firefighter/paramedic with the City of Brandon since 2008 and has coached at Crocus Plains and, for the last seven seasons, the varsity girls' program at Neelin High School. He was part of the coaching staff that led the Neelin varsity girls' team in 2018 to an undefeated AAA season that ended in a provincial championship.

Matt also received the Jim Bulloch Coaching Award in 2021, presented to him by Basketball Manitoba.

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QUESTIONS:

Questions on the program, registration and payments can go to Tiara Preece at tiara@basketballmanitoba.ca

REGISTRATION:

Can't see the form below? CLICK HERE to view it in a new window.

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BACK FOR 2026-27 SCHOOL YEAR: Wheelchair Basketball School Program Opportunity with Basketball Manitoba; "Get The Ball Rolling"

2026-08-26T15:12:48.734-05:00

Basketball Manitoba is pleased to announce its Wheelchair Basketball Schools Program for the 2026-27 school year, following the integration of Basketball Manitoba and Wheelchair Basketball operations.

The program is a school-based experience designed to raise awareness, build understanding, and generate excitement for wheelchair basketball across Manitoba. The program provides students with a meaningful, hands-on introduction to the sport while reinforcing inclusion, teamwork, coordination, and sportsmanship.

Participating schools host a wheelchair basketball experience delivered during regular physical education classes or designated lunch periods. Basketball Manitoba supplies and delivers all required equipment, including sport wheelchairs, ensuring the program is fully accessible and delivered to a high standard with minimal logistical burden on schools.

The program is supported and launched by Joey Johnson, who plays a key role in introducing the sport to students and staff.

About Joey Johnson

Joey Johnson (pictured above, centre) is one of the most accomplished wheelchair basketball athletes in the world and a proud Manitoba product. A graduate of Lorette Collegiate, Joey was diagnosed at age eight with a degenerative hip disease that prevented him from participating in able-bodied sports. That challenge opened the door to wheelchair basketball, where he went on to build an elite international career.

Joey attended the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, earning All-American honours and leading his team to three National Championships in the late 1990s. Internationally, he represented Canada at five Paralympic Games, winning Gold Medals in 2000, 2004, and 2012, along with a Silver Medal in 2008. He also captured Gold at the 2006 World Championships and the 1997 Junior World Championships.

At the provincial level, Joey represented Manitoba at the club and provincial team levels for 19 consecutive years. Professionally, he competed in Australia and across Europe, winning numerous international titles and serving as both a player and player-coach.

In recognition of his impact on the sport, Joey has been inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame (2013), the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame (2016), and the Canada Basketball Hall of Fame (2023). He continues to be a powerful role model and advocate for inclusive sport and athlete development. Learn more about Joey on the Basketball Manitoiba Podcast...

Program Logistics and Pricing

Program length options:

Single-day delivery
Full five-day school week

Cost: Includes delivery and use of all sport wheelchairs

1 day: $300 per day - $300 total
2 days: $250 per day - $500 total
3 days: $200 per day - $600 total
4 days: $150 per day - $600 total
5 or more days: $100 per day

Optional Basketball Manitoba coach instruction: $50 per hour
Bookings outside Winnipeg: $0.50 per kilometre for travel beyond the Perimeter Highway

Equipment:

All sport wheelchairs are provided by Basketball Manitoba
Basketballs and basic court equipment included

Scheduling:

Delivered during Phys Ed classes and/or lunch periods
Flexible scheduling to align with school timetables
This opportunity is available throughout the school year
Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Space requirements:

Standard school gymnasium
No permanent modifications required

Supervision:

Basketball Manitoba staff lead instruction (optional)
Teachers remain present for class supervision

Video overview

An introductory video is embedded with this program page and provides an overview of wheelchair basketball and how the program operates in schools. The video explains:

How wheelchair basketball compares to stand-up basketball
Key differences between sport wheelchairs and everyday wheelchairs
Why wheel camber, stability wheels, and chair design matter
How the sport emphasizes agility, speed, balance, and teamwork
What students can expect during a typical school session

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. Do students need any prior basketball experience?

No. The program is designed for all skill levels and focuses on participation, learning, and fun.

2. Do students need to have a disability to participate?

No. The program is inclusive and designed for all students.

3. How many students can participate at one time?

Class sizes are flexible and can be adapted to standard Phys Ed class numbers.

4. Is the program safe for students?

Yes. Activities are age-appropriate and delivered using sport-specific wheelchairs designed for stability and safety.

5. What does the school need to provide?

A gym space and regular class supervision. All equipment is supplied by Basketball Manitoba.

6. Is the program curriculum-friendly?

Yes. It aligns well with Physical Education outcomes related to movement skills, teamwork, and inclusion.

7. How long is each session?

Session length is flexible and typically aligns with standard class or lunch periods.

8. Is there a minimum or maximum booking requirement?

Schools may book the program for one or more days. Reduced daily rates are available for multi-day bookings, with the lowest daily rate applying to bookings of five days or longer.

9. Can this program support school inclusion or accessibility initiatives?

Yes, the program is a strong fit for inclusion, accessibility, and diversity-focused programming.

For bookings, questions, or scheduling, please contact:

Joey Johnson

joey@basketballmanitoba.ca

204-925-5775 ext 4

Brandon Bobcats 2026 Basketball Academy for K-12 Athletes Starts this Fall

2026-08-26T06:32:00.000-05:00

The Brandon University Bobcats have opened registration for the Fall 2026 Bobcats Basketball Academy, a seven-session youth development program running Sundays from September 20 to November 1, 2026.

The co-ed academy is open to athletes in three grade groupings: Kindergarten to Grade 4, Grades 5 to 8 and Grades 9 to 12. All sessions will run from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at the Brandon University Healthy Living Centre.

Participants will receive instruction from Brandon University coaches and players from the Bobcats men's and women's basketball programs. Each one-hour session will combine skill development with live games and scrimmages. Training will cover shooting, dribbling, passing, footwork and basketball fundamentals, while players will be grouped by grade to support age-appropriate instruction and competition.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Dates: Sundays, September 20 to November 1, 2026
Time: 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Henry Champ Gym and HLC North Gym, Brandon University Healthy Living Centre
Cost: $95 for all seven sessions
Groups: Co-ed Kindergarten to Grade 4, Grades 5 to 8 and Grades 9 to 12

Participants should bring proper gym attire, clean indoor running shoes and a refillable water bottle.

Registration information and the three group-specific registration links are available through the Brandon University Bobcats website.

Questions may be directed to Gil Cheung at cheungg@brandonu.ca.

Source: Brandon University Bobcats

Magic Basketball Canada Opens Registration for October Skills Camps for Athletes Ages 6–15 at Three Skill Levels

2026-08-26T06:19:00.000-05:00

Magic Basketball Canada has opened registration for its October Skills Camps for athletes ages 6 to 15.

The camps are available at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, offering options for athletes who are new to basketball as well as those with previous training experience.

Magic Basketball Canada says the camps use small training groups to provide participants with more repetitions, coaching, feedback and individual attention. The programming is designed to help athletes learn the game, build confidence, develop their skills and compete in an environment suited to their current level.

Registration is now open, with spaces limited by the size of each training group. Camp dates, times, locations, fees and registration details are available through the Magic Basketball Canada website.

Source: Magic Basketball Canada

REMINDER: 2026-27 MABO Membership & Clinic Registration Opens August 1st

2026-08-26T01:00:00.000-05:00

It is time to register as a MABO official for the upcoming 2026-27 season!

Please reference the information at https://www.maboref.com/p/mabo-clinics.html.

This year, MABO is utilizing the CBOC online RAMP system. Documentation on how to register is at the bottom of this email.

Please note that if you are a JODP official, consult with your assignor/supervisor before registering to ensure you are registering as an MABO official. If you register on RAMP, you will have to pay the $40.00, and this payment is non-refundable.

The registration fee for 2026-27 is remaining the same as last year.

Membership Fees:

Regular Membership Fee - $145.00 (an additional $5 if paying your MABO Fee via PayPal)
Total First Time MABO Member - $110.00 (an additional $5 if paying your MABO Fee via PayPal)

Your Fees are broken into two payments:

Of the above fees, $40.00 is payable to CBOC as part of your Registration on the RAMP system. Your CBOC fee must be paid by credit card.

and

The remainder of your fee is payable to MABO (MABO fee payable via etransfer or PayPal), as documented in the Registration Complete email you will receive in your inbox from RAMP (please check your spam/junk folder too), and on our website at https://www.maboref.com/p/mabo-clinics.html

and

The cost of a new CRC is $24.95 plus GST, and your CRC will be valid for 5 years. This fee is the responsibility of the official to pay.

The breakdown of your entire fee is documented at our FAQ webpage --> https://www.maboref.com/p/frequently-asked-questions.html

As part of MABO’s ongoing commitment to provide the highest standard of education for its membership, all senior officials are required to complete the following two online courses through the Canada Basketball Locker system as part of their 2026-27 clinic obligations. These online clinics are valid for 3 years, as determined by Canada Basketball, and do not need to be completed again until that time passes.

Anti-Racism in Coaching (60 min)
Safe Sport Training – Direct Athlete Contact (90 min)

These courses must be completed no later than December 11, 2026, and are available at no cost to all MABO members.

To complete the courses, you must create a free Locker account (if you don’t already have one) at: https://thelocker.coach.ca/account/login

Once logged in, search for and complete both courses listed above. Completion will be tracked and verified as part of your certification for the season.

To surmise:

To commence your 2026-27 MABO Registration, please click on the following link --> http://MABO.rampregistrations.com

Once you access the link above, please refer to the RAMP User Guide to guide you through the process, and pay the CBOC $40.00 Membership fee via Credit Card.

Complete your Registration payment by paying (by eTransfer or credit card) your MABO fee, as per the Registration Confirmation email you will receive upon successful registration from RAMP.

Complete or provide a valid Criminal Record Check (CRC).

If you have any questions, please contact Stan Majowski at skmajowski@shaw.ca, and he will provide assistance and answer questions as needed.

MABO REGISTRATION - USER GUIDE FOR USING RAMP SYSTEM

Manitoba's Josh Brown Signs First Prol Contract with BSR CB Villa de Leganés in Spain for 2026-27 Season

2026-08-25T13:13:05.852-05:00

Manitoba wheelchair basketball athlete and Team Canada player Josh Brown of East St. Paul is set to begin his first professional season after signing with BSR CB Villa de Leganés in Spain for the 2026-27 campaign.

Brown, a 3.0-classification athlete, made his Senior Men's National Team debut at the 2025 IWBF Americas Cup and has been named to Canada's roster for the 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships. His move to Leganés marks the next stage of a career that began in Manitoba and has included national, collegiate and international competition.

Brown was introduced to wheelchair basketball in 2014 after first competing in sledge hockey. He went on to represent Manitoba at the Canadian Wheelchair Basketball League National Championship, Canada Games and Junior National Championship events before joining Wheelchair Basketball Canada's National Academy program in 2018.

Brown later attended and graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University. His competitive highlights include a 2022 Junior Nationals tournament all-star selection, a 2022 CWBL Division 2 all-star selection, and membership on the Toronto Rollin' Raptors team that became the first Canadian club to win the NWBA Adult Division II National Championship in 2019.

At the international level, Brown competed for Canada at the 2022 IWBF Men's U23 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship and helped Canada finish fourth at the 2025 Americas Cup.

Brown is from East St. Paul, Manitoba, stands 6'0" and is classified as a 3.0 player. He is now listed with BSR CB Villa de Leganés for the 2026-27 season.

Follow Josh Brown's journey on Instagram at @joshua.brown33.

More information on Josh Brown is available from Wheelchair Basketball Canada.

Prairie Hoops Basketball Club August 30 Basketball Tryouts for 2011-12 Male Athletes at Lindenwoods Club Championships

2026-08-25T13:12:57.061-05:00

Prairie Hoops has announced a basketball tryout session for male athletes born in 2011 and 2012 on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Lindenwoods Community Centre in Winnipeg.

The tryout will run from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. and is open to players of all skill levels. A $5 registration fee applies.

The session will be led by coach Billy Isaac, who has more than 30 years of coaching experience.

Tryout Details

Club: Prairie Hoops
Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026
Time: 8:00-9:30 p.m.
Location: Lindenwoods Community Centre
Eligible athletes: Male players born in 2011 or 2012
Tryout fee: $5
Skill level: All skill levels welcome

For more information or to RSVP, contact Billy Isaac at bllyisaac@yahoo.com.

REMINDER: Huddle Brandon and WYBA’s 3rd Annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament at Brandon University on Sun, Sep 13, 2026

2026-08-25T10:00:00.000-05:00

Registration is now open for the 3rd Annual Huddle Brandon / WYBA 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, set for Sunday, September 13, 2026, at the Brandon University Healthy Living Centre, located at 2010 Louise Avenue in Brandon.

The annual community basketball event will bring teams together for a full day of 3x3 competition, skill contests and prizes, while supporting the continued community work of Huddle Brandon and the Westman Youth Basketball Association (WYBA). All proceeds from the tournament will support both organizations and their efforts to make a positive impact through sport, youth engagement and community programming.

The tournament will feature boys and girls divisions, with each team guaranteed four games. A shooting competition will be held for each division, with prizes awarded to team and individual winners.

Divisions include:

Boys Divisions

U17 – Born 2009 or younger
U15 – Born 2011 or younger
U13 – Born 2013 or younger

Girls Divisions

U17 – Born 2009 or younger
U14 – Born 2012 or younger

The team registration fee is $160 per team. A minimum of four teams must register for a division to be confirmed. Jerseys will not be provided, so teams are asked to wear the same colour shirt or jersey.

Spectator admission is $5 per day for those 15 years of age or older, payable by cash only.

Teams can register by scanning the QR code on the event poster or at the following link...

REGISTER NOW!

Questions can be directed by DM to @wybamanitoba or by email at wybamanitoba@hotmail.com.

The event is organized by WYBA in support of Huddle Brandon and WYBA community programming.

REMINDER: 2026 Junior Officials Basketball Clinics Registration Now Open

2026-08-20T16:42:25.179-05:00

Basketball Manitoba, in partnership with the Manitoba Association of Basketball Officials, is pleased to offer the 'Junior Officials Development Program' (JODP) clinics for people new to refereeing who are 15 years of age or older. The program is designed to improve the overall level of officiating in Junior High/Middle School and minor basketball leagues.

The clinic registration fee of $75.00 has been set for the 2026-2027 basketball season.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Winnipeg Sea Bears and Buckets & Borders to Hold Grand Opening Celebration for Outdoor Basketball Court in Killarney on Fri, Aug 21

2026-08-20T16:29:36.478-05:00

The Winnipeg Sea Bears and Buckets & Borders will hold a grand opening celebration for a refurbished outdoor basketball court in Killarney, Manitoba on Friday, August 21, 2026.

The event will run from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Killarney School, 417 King Avenue, and will include opening remarks, an official ribbon cutting, free youth programming, a mini camp, a community barbecue, a three-point competition, giveaways and a local all-star game.

Event Schedule

4:00 p.m. - Opening remarks and official ribbon cutting
4:30 p.m. - Free youth programming and mini camp
5:30 p.m. - Community barbecue, three-point competition and giveaways
6:30 p.m. - Local all-star game
7:00 p.m. - Event wrap-up

The Killarney project is part of ongoing community court work involving Buckets & Borders and the Winnipeg Sea Bears Foundation. The Foundation has identified community court refurbishment as one of its areas of focus, with the goal of supporting public basketball spaces and youth access to the sport across Manitoba.

Project partners for the Killarney court include HyLife, Assiniboine Credit Union, the Killarney Foundation, Urban Systems Foundation, Telpay, Buckets & Borders and the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN: Winnipeg Minor Basketball Fall / Winter 2026-27 League for Ages 7–17; Deadline Sep 18

2026-08-19T19:20:20.257-05:00

The Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association (WMBA) has announced that registration for its Fall 2026–Winter 2027 Community League will open on Monday, August 17, 2026. The city-wide program welcomes players ages 7–17 and runs from October 2026 through March 2027, with registration available through each player’s local community centre.

WMBA teams are formed according to community centre catchment areas and compete against teams from across Winnipeg. If a player’s registered community centre is unable to host a team, the player will be transferred to the nearest community centre able to accept them. The league follows fair-play and zero-tolerance standards designed to provide young athletes with a fun, safe and positive basketball experience.

League Divisions and Formats

Ages 7–8 (co-ed): One Saturday game per week, plus practices; 3-on-3 cross-court format.
Ages 9–12 girls and ages 9–13 boys: One Saturday game per week, plus practices. Ages 9–10 play 3-on-3 cross-court games; ages 11–13 boys and 11–12 girls play 5-on-5 full-court games.
Ages 13–17 girls and ages 14–17 boys: One Sunday game per week, plus practices; 5-on-5 full-court format.

Important Dates

Registration opens: Monday, August 17, 2026
Registration closes: Friday, September 18, 2026
Team building and league administration: September 20–30, 2026
Practices begin: Between October 1 and October 16, 2026
League games, playoffs and City Championships: Mid March 2027

League Fees

Total fees consist of the WMBA membership fee, which is still to be announced, plus the applicable community club basketball fee. Community club fees generally range from $80 to $100. WMBA maintains a no-refund policy, although exceptions may be considered at the discretion of the Executive Director.

The total player fee will be $295 each

Volunteer Coaches Needed

WMBA is also seeking volunteer coaches to help support teams and shape the next generation of basketball players. Volunteer coaches are essential to delivering a positive experience for athletes and strengthening basketball within Winnipeg communities.

Families can review full program information, participating community centres, league rules and registration updates at WMBA.ca.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Registration closes: Friday, September 18, 2026

About the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association
Established in 1997, the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association provides structured community basketball opportunities for young athletes throughout Winnipeg. What began with 40 teams based out of 12 community centres has grown to more than 200 teams across six leagues serving players of all ages.

Source: https://wmba.ca/content/wmba-community-league-fall-2026---winter-2027

Club Basketball Tryouts Continuing - VIEW ALL TRYOUTS

2026-08-19T11:05:00.000-05:00

Club Basketball tryouts are set to begin this weekend as part of the open window for teams to host formal sessions to prepare for the upcoming season. Club teams can formally begin their open tryouts, which typically occur on the third Friday of August. In 2026, that date is Friday, August 14.

Basketball Manitoba encourages players to attend more than one club tryout to make an informed decision on which club option best supports their developmental needs.

Basketball Manitoba has been regularly posting details on these tryouts on its website, social media and in its email newsletters, which usually target male and female players in the 11-17 age range. Other clubs are still expected to post additional tryout information shortly, so to stay in the loop, we suggest you subscribe to our email newsletter or follow us on social media (links below).

A full listing of all the club tryouts announced to date can be found at...

VIEW CLUB BASKETBALL

TRYOUT DETAILS

Please note that tryouts are listed in the order they were posted.

More information on the Club Basketball system can be found at http://club.basketballmanitoba.ca

DEADLINE FRIDAY: Basketball Manitoba Summer Camps for Boys & Girls Ages 9-15 Set for August 24-27

2026-08-19T10:01:49.081-05:00

Basketball Manitoba is pleased to announce the High-Performance Camp from Monday, August 24 to Thursday, August 27, 2026, for boys and girls ages 9 to 15!

Head coaches Randy Kusano, Victor Lee, and Katrina Rogan, along with guest coaches, will lead the girls' camp on court 3. The boys' camp sessions will be led by head coaches Dan Becker and Keenan Benarroch, along with guest coaches, on courts 1 and 2.

The cost of the camp is $140.00 per player, which includes the camp, insurance and a Basketball Manitoba t-shirt.

The registration deadline is FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026, at 12:00 pm or when the camp sells out. The camps sell out each year, so register now to avoid disappointment.

GIRLS BASKETBALL CAMP

DATES & TIMES: Monday, August 24 to Thursday, August 27, 2026

Session 1 - Age 9 - 11 Girls - 9:15am to 11:00am
Session 2 - Age 12 - 13 Girls - 11:15am to 1:00pm
Session 3 - Age 14 - 15 Girls - 1:15pm to 3:00pm

If a session is sold out, get on our waiting list.

CAMP COST

$140.00 per person (includes GST)

PAYMENT: Camp fees will only be collected online via credit card or eTransfer.

BRING A BASKETBALL: Players must bring their own basketball for use for the duration of the camp.

CAMP LOCATION

Sport Manitoba Courts, Winnipeg, MB (map & parking options below)
Court 3

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21 at 12:00 pm or when the camp sells out!

All campers are insured under the Basketball Manitoba insurance program.

BOYS BASKETBALL CAMP

DATES & TIMES: Monday, August 24 to Thursday, August 27, 2026

Session 4 - Age 9 - 11 Boys - 9:15am to 11:00am
Session 5 - Age 12 - 13 Boys - 11:15am to 1:00pm
Session 6 - Age 14 - 15 Boys - 1:15pm to 3:00pm

If a session is sold out, get on our waiting list.

CAMP COST

$140.00 per person (includes GST)

PAYMENT: Camp fees will only be collected online via credit card or eTransfer.

BRING A BASKETBALL: Players must bring their own basketball for use for the duration of the camp.

CAMP LOCATION

Sport Manitoba Courts, Winnipeg, MB (map & parking options below)
Courts 1 and 2

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21 at 12:00 pm or when the camp sells out!

All campers are insured under the Basketball Manitoba insurance program.

LEAD COACH BIOS:

Randy Kusano was the winningest coach in the history of high school basketball in Manitoba. His high school teams won three MHSAA (Manitoba High School Athletic Association) AAAA Provincial Championships provincial titles and 11 conference titles, and he coached in 15 AAAA Final Fours in his 34 years coaching with the Oak Park Raiders in Winnipeg before retiring from teaching in 2010. A University of Manitoba graduate, Kusano is a current fully certified NCCP Level 3 coach with nearly 25 years of CIS coaching experience as an assistant with the Bison men’s and women's basketball program.

Randy has been involved in basketball as a player and coach for over forty years. He developed his love for basketball at Norberry Junior High in St. Vital, playing for Hall of Famer Dennis Alvestad. He moved on to Glenlawn Collegiate and finally to the University of Manitoba. Randy was a member of three consecutive Canadian Junior Men’s championship teams from 1971-1973. In 1976 he was a member of the first Manitoba team to win a National University championship in basketball, the University of Manitoba Bisons.

After his university years were done, he continued playing with the Nicolett Inn Senior men’s team that captured their first National Senior Men’s Championship in 1979. The University of Manitoba Junior Men and Nicolett Inn Senior men’s teams were later inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame.

Randy’s coaching career began with the University of Manitoba Junior Bisons in 1974 and continued there until 1976. He has coached high school basketball for the past thirty-four years, thirty-two as head coach of the Varsity Boys program at Oak Park High School.

Over his 34 years at Oak Park, Randy developed the dominant high school program of its era, going to 15 Final Fours and winning 3 AAAA Provincial Championships. During this time, he has helped to develop more than twenty-five players who have gone on to play at the Canadian College or CIS level. Randy has also served as an assistant coach at the University of Manitoba for fifteen years.

Randy has also coached numerous Manitoba Provincial teams as head coach and as an assistant coach at the Canada Games, Western Canada Games, and National Championships.

_______________________________________________

Victor Lee is an emerging coach within Manitoba's basketball system with experience across school, club, and provincial development environments. A graduate of Oak Park High School, Lee returned to the program as an assistant coach before assuming head coaching duties for the varsity boys team ahead of the 2024–2025 season.

At the club level, Lee serves as the head coach of Evolve Basketball's U18 female program, following a season as an assistant coach. Under his leadership, the program has achieved significant competitive success. His coaching approach emphasizes team culture, accountability, and long-term athlete development, with a strong focus on creating positive learning environments. Lee is currently completing his Bachelor of Education at the University of Manitoba and remains actively engaged in basketball development through coaching, volunteer involvement, and service within Basketball Manitoba.

_______________________________________________

Katrina Rogan is an experienced coach with a strong background across school, club, and provincial development environments. She currently serves as the Head Coach of the Vincent Massey Collegiate Junior Varsity Girls program, where she focuses on building confident, skilled athletes within a positive and competitive team culture. In addition, Rogan is an assistant coach with the Junior Bisons Prairie Elite Basketball League program and is actively involved with the Canada Basketball Junior Academy in Winnipeg

At the club level, Rogan is the head coach of the Evolve Basketball U15 girls program, working closely with athletes on skill development, basketball IQ, and long-term progression. A former Manitoba Provincial Team athlete, she competed at both the 15U and 17U levels before continuing her playing career with the University of Winnipeg. Rogan brings a player-centred approach shaped by recent high-level playing experience, emphasizing development, confidence, and a strong connection to the game.

_______________________________________________

Dan Becker has been an active player and coach for over 30 years at all levels of the game. His playing history began as a standout player at Fort Richmond Collegiate, which led him to play NCAA Division 1 basketball at the University of Colorado. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Degree, Dan continued his basketball career, playing 12 years for a variety of teams and leagues all over the globe, including stints with the Winnipeg Thunder and the Winnipeg Cyclone. In the summer of 1991, Dan was invited to try out for the Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers of the NBA. Dan's playing career also saw him represent Team Canada in the late 80s and early 90s on various Student and Training National Teams, including the World Universiade Games in Germany and 2 Jones Cups in Taipei, Taiwan.

As a coach, Dan has worked with players at many different levels. Dan completed his NCCP Level 4 education at the National Coaching Institute in Winnipeg. He assisted at the CIS men's level from 2000 to 2004 and took the interim head coaching duties in 2004-05 with the University of Manitoba Men's Program. Over this same time period, Dan coached a number of Basketball Manitoba's Provincial Teams at the 15U and 17U levels, winning a bronze medal at the 2004 17U. In 2014, Dan led the Manitoba 17U Male Provincial team to their first-ever Gold Medal at the National Championship. Dan was an active coach in the Canada Basketball Centre for Performance Program and an instructor at the Nike All-Canada Camp. Dan has also served as the Basketball Technical Advisor for three feature films; ESPN's 'A Season on the Brink' in 2001, 'Full of It' in 2005, and “Champions” in 2023.

From 2005 to 2010, Dan worked with Randy Kusano and the Oak Park Raiders Varsity male' Program, winning two Provincial Championships and making five consecutive Final Four appearances. Dan coached the University of Winnipeg Collegiate Varsity male team during the 2010-11 season. Dan has also coached grassroots programs in the school system, RSL, WMBA, and Peg City leagues.

Dan is the Head Coach for many of the Basketball Manitoba High-Performance programs and is also a Learning Facilitator and Coach Evaluator in the new NCCP coaching education program.

In 2013, Dan was inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame in the Player category in recognition of his tremendous playing career. Dan currently resides in Winnipeg, is married and has 3 children.

_______________________________________________

Stephen Tackie has been involved with the Manitoba Provincial Team program both as a head and an assistant coach at a variety of levels since 1998. Stephen led Team Manitoba’s 17U boy's program to two consecutive Silver Medal performances at the Canadian National Championships in 2012 and the 2013 Canada Games held in Sherbrooke, Quebec.

Currently, he is the head coach of the Varsity Boys program at Sturgeon Heights Collegiate, where he has also worked as an educator since 2002. Tackie has led Sturgeon Heights to the AAAA Final Four Provincial Championship 5 times (JV and Varsity), including a Junior Varsity boy's provincial Championship in 2009. In 2008 and 2009, Tackie was voted back-to-back Junior Varsity boy's coach of the year, and in 2010 was a finalist for the Sports Manitoba Coach of the year award.

Stephen is currently a coach in the Canada Basketball/Manitoba Region Boys Jr. Academy. In 2005, he began working as an assistant with the Wesmen Men's basketball program. He has coached in Manitoba's male Centre for Performance Program for four years and is an Instructor for Canada basketball's NCCP Course Intro to Competition Advanced coaches certification course.

Steve is very active in the summer basketball camp circuit with involvement with the Wesmen Camps, Peace Gardens, Athletes in Action, Rocky Mountain in Alberta and the Boston Celtics summer camp in Boston, Mass. Coach Tackie has been part of the Point Guard College (PGC) organization, instructing at camps in Atlanta, Texas and UCLA.

A proud Manitoban, Tackie is humbled and very excited to work with the up-and-coming leaders in basketball and the community here in Manitoba.

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Keenan Benarroch has been involved in basketball for nearly a decade, both as a player and a coach. He played for the University of Manitoba Bisons from 2014 to 2017.

Following his playing career, Keenan served as an assistant coach for the University of Manitoba Men’s Basketball team during the 2017–2018 season. During this time, he also worked as a program coordinator for the Junior Bisons. He later joined the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Women’s Basketball team as an Assistant Coach, a role he held from 2019 to 2023. In the 2021–2022 season, Keenan played a key role in helping the team achieve a perfect 20–0 record, capturing both the OUA and U SPORTS National Championships.

Keenan has been deeply involved in provincial and grassroots basketball. In 2021, he served as the Head Coach for the Downtown Toronto Centre for Performance and as an Apprentice Coach with the Ontario 15U Provincial Girls team. He has also worked extensively in athlete development as a Head Coach of a 14U boys team and as a coach within the Junior Academy program in Winnipeg.

In 2020, Keenan worked as a Video and Performance Analyst for Canada Basketball’s 3x3 Men’s National Team during the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where he analyzed game footage and provided performance insights to support team success.

Currently, Keenan is pursuing a Bachelor of Education at the University of Manitoba while coaching the JV boys team at Fort Richmond Collegiate and assisting with the University of Manitoba Bisons program.

QUESTIONS?

Inquiries and questions on the Basketball Manitoba High-Performance Camps can be made to Tiara Preece.

SPORT MANITOBA COURTS MAPS

Canada Games Centre / Sport Manitoba Parking - VIEW DETAILS

Inside the Canada Games Sport for Life Centre / Sport Manitoba Courts. The facility features 3 full hardwood basketball courts and 14 basketball hoops.

Learn more...

The Sport Manitoba Courts (aka Canada Games Sport for Life Centre) are located in downtown Winnipeg.

DEADLINE SEP 4: Peg City Basketball 2026-27 Club Basketball League and Showcase for Manitoba Athletes Born 2009-2016

2026-08-18T12:46:23.112-05:00

Peg City Basketball has announced registration and tryout information for its 2026-27 season, offering two competitive pathways for Manitoba club athletes to develop their skills, compete at an appropriate level and prepare for future opportunities.

The Peg City Club Basketball League provides season-long competition for athletes born from 2013 to 2016, while the Peg City Showcase delivers high-level fall competition for athletes born from 2009 to 2012.

PEG CITY CLUB BASKETBALL LEAGUE
11U-14U | Athletes born 2013-2016
October 2026 to March 2027

The Peg City Club Basketball League provides a season-long competitive environment designed to help developing athletes build their skills, gain meaningful game experience and prepare for the next stage of their basketball pathway.

League features include:

Tiered divisions and standings
Player statistics
Championship playoffs
A qualification pathway for eligible 14U teams to the 2027 Canada Basketball Club National Championships

For eligible 14U teams, the Peg City Club Basketball League will serve as Manitoba’s official qualification pathway to the inaugural 2027 Canada Basketball Club National Championships in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

The league’s development focus is: Build today. Prepare for tomorrow.

Peg City CBL Information:
https://www.pegcityball.club/content/peg-city-club-basketball-league-11u-14u

Road to Canada Basketball Nationals:
https://www.pegcityball.club/article/114510

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PEG CITY SHOWCASE
14U-17U | Athletes born 2009-2012
September to December 2026

The Peg City Showcase provides high-level fall club competition for athletes seeking to test themselves against strong opponents and demonstrate their abilities on a premier competitive stage.

Showcase features include:

Three Showcase weekends
Nine guaranteed games
Season-long Power Rankings
A championship tournament
Player statistics

The Showcase’s competitive focus is: Compete with the best. Be the best.

Peg City Showcase Information:
https://www.pegcityball.club/content/peg-city-showcase

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CLUB TRYOUTS AND REGISTRATION NOW UNDERWAY

Athletes participate in the Peg City Club Basketball League and Peg City Showcase through independent club teams. The first step for an interested athlete is earning a roster position with a participating club.

With tryouts and registration for the 2026-27 club season now underway, athletes and families are encouraged to review the available club opportunities and identify the program that best fits their age, development and competitive goals.

Club Tryout Information:
https://www.basketballmanitoba.ca/search/label/Club%20Tryouts?max-results=40

DEADLINE SEP 1: Peg City Basketball Introduces Two Fall Adult League Options and New Masters Divisions

2026-08-18T12:46:13.902-05:00

Peg City Basketball has announced it is giving Winnipeg adult teams more ways to play this fall with two league options designed to match different schedules, competitive levels and season commitments. Teams and individual players can choose between the full-season Peg City Premier League and the new, shorter-format Peg City Classic League.

Peg City Premier League

The Premier League offers a complete, full-season basketball experience featuring:

20 games plus playoffs
Men’s Divisions 1–12
Advanced statistics
Automatic game highlights
Player awards
Sunday game days
$375 per player or $3,650 per team

New: Peg City Classic League

The new Classic League provides a shorter season for teams that want organized competition with a reduced time commitment. The league includes:

Eight games plus playoffs
Men’s Divisions 3–12 and all Women’s Divisions
Standings and individual player points
Official MABO referees
Weeknight games
$175 per player or $1,650 per team

Peg City is also introducing new Masters Divisions within the Classic League for men aged 50 and older and women aged 35 and older.

Whether players are chasing a championship, getting their crew back together or simply looking to hoop, there is a place for them this season. Registration is available for complete teams and individual free agents.

Early Bird pricing ends Friday, August 14, 2026.

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

Source: https://www.pegcityball.ca/content/Peg-City-Fall-Winter-Senior-Leagues

Edge Elite Opens 2026-27 Athlete Registration for Boys and Girls from Grade 4 Through High School, Prep, College and University Levels

2026-08-16T17:30:00.000-05:00

UPDATE: The club now have enough players registered for the following:

EDGE ELiTE Tryouts for Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

August 26 · 8:00–10:00 p.m.
August 28 · 3:00–5:00 p.m.

Sport for Life Centre · 145 Pacific Avenue

Athletes must attend both sessions.

Edge Elite has announced that athlete registration is now open for the 2026-27 season for athletes at the Grade 4 through high school, prep, college, and university levels.

Registration is available at www.edgeelite.ca.

The program will continue with a development-first approach organized around four areas: Mind, Body, Skill and Team.

Registration will be used to assess athlete interest, developmental fit and roster balance before teams are formed. Teams will be established where there is sufficient interest and an appropriate developmental and competitive fit.

All athletes, including current THRiVE athletes, must register and attend an EDGE ELITE evaluation/tryout. Families are registering an athlete and are not selecting a specific team. Age, grade and birth year will be used to organize athletes, while final placement will be based on developmental and competitive fit.

For competition, Edge Elite teams will not participate in the PegCity League. Teams will instead play exhibition games against other clubs and enter selected tournaments. The competition schedule will be determined for each group while maintaining time for practices and athlete development.

The coaching group includes:

Manoj Nowrang
Development Leadership
Matt Dunning
Performance and Athlete Development
Frankie Tocci
Defence, Rim Protection and Finishing
Former Edge Elite athlete Crue Gard, is currently playing NCAA Division I basketball at Mount St. Mary's University.

EDGE ELITE Basketball Club is sponsored by THRiVE Basketball Academy, which serves as the club’s athlete-development partner.

For registration and additional information, visit www.edgeelite.ca.

Central Plains Basketball Club Opens Registration for Fall 2026 Tryouts for Girls Born 2009-2010 and Boys Born 2009-2012

2026-08-16T12:30:00.000-05:00

Central Plains Basketball Club has announced that registration is open for its Fall 2026 basketball tryouts.

The club is inviting interested athletes to register in advance as it gathers participation numbers to help determine how many teams can be offered for the upcoming season.