Basketball Manitoba

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO TUESDAY: Winnipeg Minor Basketball Fall / Winter 2026-27 League for Ages 7–17; Deadline Sep 18

2026-09-18T10:03:18.525-05:00

UPDATED Registration closes: ~~Friday, September 18, 2026~~; Tuesday, September 22, 2026 (11:59 pm)

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
UPDATED: Registration closes: ~~Friday, September 18, 2026~~; Tuesday, September 22, 2026 (11:59 pm)
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

Basketball Manitoba and StatTrackers Score Clock One-Page Quick Reference Guides

2026-09-18T09:33:51.731-05:00

FALL LEAGUE SEASON REMINDER: Basketball Manitoba, along with StatTrackers has released a series of quick-reference guides for popular brand score clocks commonly used in Manitoba to aid minor officials. The four popular brands of score clocks are OES, Sportable, Nevco, and portable scoreboard units.

We recommend that all facilities with one of the following clock brands view and print the one-page reference guides and place them on the score table for each home game. Specific items addressed for each clock model include common functions such as...

Starting a new game
Setting the clock
Scoring
Fouls
Resetting fouls
Timeouts
Adjusting the shot clock
Corrections
And more...

OES Brand

__________

Sportable Brand

__________

Nevco Brand

__________

Portable Desktop Model

Links to each document have also been added to the video description of the Basketball Manitoba Scoreboard Video Series - Scoreclock.

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

2026-09-17T12:22:00.000-05:00

SEPT 9 UPDATE: Please note that the girls’ U16 and U19 National Team ID Camp sessions scheduled for September 19–20 have been postponed. An unforeseen scheduling change has prevented a Canada Basketball National Team coach from attending. The girls’ sessions will be rescheduled for later this fall, with updated details shared as soon as they become available. Registered athletes who cannot attend the rescheduled date will be offered a full refund. The boys’ ID Camp sessions will proceed as originally scheduled. The boys' sessions as detailed below are not impacted by this change.

___________________________________________________________

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 - to be announced

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 - to be announced

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

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

2026-09-16T22:57:48.176-05:00

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

To view this information properly on a smartphone, rotate your device to a 'landscape' position to see all the data.

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

Girls Junior Academy Coaches:

RANDY KUSANO - Current Basketball Manitoba High-Performance Coach Randy Kusano was the winningest coach in Manitoba's high school basketball history. 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. Randy’s coaching career began with the University of Manitoba Junior Bisons in 1974 and continued 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. 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.

ERIC SUNG - currently the head coach of the Varsity Girls team at Dakota Collegiate and has been since 2015. He also has Usport coaching experience as an assistant coach with the University of Manitoba Bison Women's program. Sung has been highly involved with basketball development in Manitoba for the past ten years. in 2022, he was the head coach of the 17U Girls Manitoba Provincial team. The year prior, Sung was the head coach of the 15U Girls Manitoba Provincial Team. He was also the assistant coach with the 17U Girls Provincial Team (2019), the head coach of the Boys 15U Provincial Team (2014-2015), and the boys Centre of Performance coach (2013 – 2019). Sung has additional head coaching experience with the Junior Varsity Boys at Maples Collegiate (2013), the Manitoba Summer Games team (2013), 18U Boys Chinese Universal Storm (2011-2013) and the Junior Bison Girls Basketball Program (2008-2010).

KELLI SINNOCK - Coach Kelli Sinnock brings over 20 years of coaching experience to the program. She was the 15u female Provincial Team head coach this past summer. She has been the Varsity Girls basketball coach at Sanford Collegiate since 2007. In the last 2 years, she has led the Sabres to 2 Provincial 3A Silver Medals. In 2021, she helped develop the Rural TAP program and has been the head coach for TAP South.

She has also had a variety of other coaching experiences, including coaching junior high basketball, Jr. Bisons, and Legion Athletic camps in the early stages of her career. She is an active member of the basketball community and Zone IV athletics. 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

LESLIE DUHAMEL - played basketball for the University of Waterloo at the USport level for four years. Leslie is an award-winning Physical Education teacher with 17 years of experience. She believes in engaging youth in sports early by making it fun and engaging and creating practice plans focusing on skill development and understanding of the game. Leslie coaches at her school at least four basketball teams a year and has even taken some to the provincial championships.

Since 2019, Leslie has been the Head Coach of the 2010 Junior Bisons Boys Gold Basketball club team. She has also been working hard to promote girls' basketball in the province, starting grassroots female basketball programs at the Lindenwoods Community Centre for Novice players and more Experienced basketball players aged 8-12.

EMERSON MARTIN - a passionate and dedicated basketball coach with a strong background as both a player and mentor. A graduate of Dakota Collegiate and a former player at the University of Manitoba, Emerson brings high-level playing experience, deep knowledge of the game, and a team-first mentality. Her coaching journey began with the Junior Bison program. Emerson is committed to developing well-rounded players, emphasizing skill development, basketball IQ, and confidence both on and off the court.

BREANNE SCOTT - has been instrumental in rebuilding the girls' basketball program at John Taylor Collegiate. Her team has won two tournaments this season and finished second in their latest, earning #2 in the provincial AAA rankings. Coach Scott focuses her attention on basketball and developing a strong, community-based culture for the school. She cares deeply about the well-being of her players and consistently works hard to develop her young athletes into well-rounded individuals and leaders. Building on this impressive accomplishment, she is also a dedicated and hardworking teacher for all her students. She was the Head Coach of the 14U Women's Manitoba Provincial Team in 2025.

Male ID Schedule

To view this information properly on a smartphone, rotate your device to a 'landscape' position to see all the data.

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

Male Junior Academy Coaches:

DAN BECKER - The current Technical Director of Basketball Manitoba is a four-time alumnus of Team Canada, representing the Red & White in the FISU games and 2 Jones Cups. Dan is a former NCAA Division 1 basketball player and a 12-year professional player. Dan is an NCCP Level 4 Coach who won Gold with the 17U Manitoba Provincial Team in 2014 and has over 20 years of experience coaching in programs ranging from grassroots to university. He has been the Basketball Manitoba Technical Director and High-Performance Coach since 2010.

STEPHEN TACKIE - The current head coach of the Sturgeon Heights Huskies varsity boys basketball program, Stephen is a 2-time Silver Medal winner at the 17U boys level with Team Manitoba at the 2012 National Championships and 2013 Canada Games. Stephen is an NCCP Learning Facilitator, Evaluator, and a past Center For Performance (CP) coach. Stephen has extensive experience coaching youth development programs throughout North America, including with the Point Guard College camp program and past year's Provincial Teams.

SUKHVIR SINGH - Suk has been involved in basketball as a player and a coach for the past 30 years. Coach Singh played his high school basketball with the Kelvin Clippers and then went on to play for 5 years at the University of Winnipeg. Sukhvir began his coaching career as an Assistant Coach with the Red River Rebels College program. After two seasons, he was promoted to the Head Coaching position. He led the Rebels to 7 straight MCAC Championships. Coach Singh was an assistant coach with the University of Manitoba from 2015-2017, where he helped guide the program to back-to-back CanWest Final 4 appearances. In 2015, Sukhvir Singh Co-Founded the Attack Basketball program, where he is the Head Coach and Program Director. Suk has represented Manitoba as both a player and the head coach of the 17U Male Provincial Team.

PATRICK MART - Patrick has been involved in basketball for over two decades as both a coach and a player. He is currently a teacher and coach at River Heights School.

As a coach, Patrick has contributed extensively to the basketball community. At Sturgeon Heights Collegiate, he served as the head coach of the junior varsity boys’ team and as an assistant coach for the varsity boys’ team. He has also been an assistant coach for the 17U Manitoba Provincial Team on multiple occasions. He has been the 15U Manitoba Provincial Team head coach for the past 2 summers. He remains dedicated to fostering emerging talent in Manitoba and helping young athletes achieve their goals.

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.

Keenan served as an assistant coach for the University of Manitoba Men’s Basketball team during the 2017-2018 season. He then joined the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Women’s Basketball team as an Assistant Coach from 2019 to 2023. In the 2021-2022 season, Keenan played a key role in helping the team achieve a perfect 20-0 record, securing both the OUA and U SPORTS National Championships. In 2021, he was the Head Coach for the Downtown Toronto Centre for Performance and served as an Apprentice Coach with the Ontario 15U Provincial Girls team.

Currently, Keenan is pursuing a Bachelor of Education at the University of Manitoba while coaching the Churchill Junior High Boys team. He finished the summer as the 14U male head coach.

PAUL GRANT - Paul has over 15 years of coaching experience, primarily with the Junior Bisons program, where he has guided players from grade 5 through grade 12. His coaching journey includes leading the Junior Varsity Boys Basketball team at Grant Park High School during the 2022-2023 season and, more recently, taking on the Junior Varsity Boys Basketball Coach role at Sisler High School in 2024. Paul’s coaching philosophy centers on developing well-rounded athletes through skill development, teamwork, and character building. He has successfully mentored many athletes who have advanced to higher competitive levels and is recognized for his positive impact on youth sports. Passionate about mentoring young athletes, Paul is excited to contribute to the continued success of the Sisler High School JV Boys Basketball team.

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.

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.

"Guard Your Game, Protect Yourself"; On Court Sport Safety Campaign is Back

2026-09-15T13:58:40.288-05:00

As the basketball seasons at the club, community club and adult levels of play are back for the fall, Basketball Manitoba is pleased to continue its on-court safety campaign to educate players, coaches, referees, parents and spectators on the important topics of concussions and the wearing of jewelry and mouth guards while playing basketball.

Basketball Manitoba is pleased to share its on-court sport safety campaign, "Guard Your Game, Protect Yourself." This campaign aims to promote the importance of wearing mouthguards, refraining from wearing jewelry, and raising awareness about the risks of concussions while playing basketball at all levels, from youth leagues to adult recreational games.

Basketball is a high-energy sport that brings players of all ages and skill levels together, fostering a sense of community, camaraderie, and healthy competition. However, with the exhilaration of the game, there are risks involved, including dental injuries, accidents related to jewelry, and the potential for concussions. Basketball Manitoba recognizes these risks and is committed to making the sport safer for everyone.

The "Guard Your Game, Protect Yourself" campaign is designed to raise awareness and educate basketball players, coaches, parents, and fans about the importance of three essential safety practices:

Concussion Awareness: While basketball is a non-contact sport, concussions can still occur due to falls, collisions, or head injuries during the game. Basketball is tied with soccer as the 3rd leading sport in Manitoba that sees concussions occur (behind only hockey and football). Basketball Manitoba is committed to educating players, coaches, and parents about the signs and symptoms of concussions and the importance of proper assessment and recovery. Immediate recognition and appropriate management of concussions are crucial to safeguarding the long-term health of basketball participants. We have created a dedicated basketball concussion website which provides a large number of resources tied to the reduction of and treatment of concussions. Head to http://www.basketballconcussion.ca for details.

Mouthguard Use: Basketball is a fast-paced and dynamic sport, and collisions can occur during games. Dental injuries, such as chipped or broken teeth, are not uncommon. To mitigate these risks, Basketball Manitoba strongly encourages all players to wear mouthguards while on the court. Properly fitted mouthguards offer protection against injuries that can be painful and costly. The best mouthguards are those that are custom-fitted by a dental professional. Contact your dentist or Reflections Dental below about your best option for a properly fitting mouthguard.

Jewelry Restrictions: Wearing jewelry, such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings or any exposed piercings, during basketball games poses a serious safety hazard. Not only does jewelry increase the risk of injury to the player wearing it, but it can also cause harm to others on the court, let alone damage to the jewelry itself. Basketball Manitoba requires players to remove all jewelry before stepping onto the court to prevent avoidable accidents. Taping earrings, jewelry or other piercings (unless a medical exception in writing has been given directly by Basketball Manitoba or the MHSAA) is not an alternative to removing them while participating in games or practices. Details on items that are and are not permitted to be worn in basketball games can be found on page 13 of the current FIBA Basketball Rulebook.

By emphasizing these safety measures and concussion awareness, Basketball Manitoba aims to reduce the number of concussions, dental injuries, and accidents related to jewelry during basketball games. The organization is dedicated to fostering a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone participating in the sport.

"Guard Your Game, Protect Yourself" is not just about safety; it's also about preserving the joy of playing basketball. A safe playing environment ensures players can focus on improving their skills, having fun, and building lifelong memories on the court. Basketball Manitoba is dedicated to making this a reality for all members of the basketball community.

To learn more about the campaign and access valuable resources on concussions, mouthguard use and jewelry safety guidelines, visit the Basketball Manitoba website. For real-time updates and engaging content, follow Basketball Manitoba on social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram.

Join Basketball Manitoba in ensuring the safety of basketball players across the province. Let's "Guard Your Game, Protect Yourself," and keep the spirit of basketball alive while prioritizing the well-being of all participants.

Basketball Manitoba would like to thank AJ Monton for his time and creativity in developing the following imagery and messaging tied to this safety campaign during his internship with our organization.

Winnipeg’s Emily Potter Signs with Japan’s Aisin Wings, Extending International Professional Career to the Women’s Japan Basketball League

2026-09-15T12:01:48.879-05:00

Winnipeg basketball player and Canadian Senior Women’s National Team member Emily Potter has signed with the Aisin Wings in Japan, adding the Women’s Japan Basketball League to an international professional career that has included stops across Europe, Australia, Mexico, Lebanon, Taiwan and China.

Potter, a 6-foot-5 (1.96 m) centre, joins Aisin following a 2025–26 season that included multiple international competitions. She averaged 15.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game over four EuroCup Women appearances with ACS Sepsi-SIC, and earlier averaged 13.3 points and 8.0 rebounds over three games for Cathay Life at the 2025 FIBA Women’s Basketball League Asia. The Players Pick announcement also reported averages of 10.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game during her time with Hebei in China’s WCBA. Aisin Wings competes in Japan’s WJBL.

Potter’s basketball roots are in Winnipeg. She began playing at Samuel Burland School before attending Glenlawn Collegiate, where she won a provincial championship, was named Manitoba’s AAAA Girls Player of the Year in 2013, and represented Manitoba through the Provincial Team Program and Canada Basketball’s Centre for Performance program.

She later completed four NCAA Division I seasons at the University of Utah. Potter became the first player in Utah women’s basketball history to record more than 1,500 points, 1,000 rebounds and 200 blocked shots in a career. In 2018, she signed a free-agent contract with the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, as the first WNBA contract signed by a player from Manitoba.

Potter has represented Canada at both the youth and senior national-team levels, including a bronze medal at the 2012 FIBA U17 Women’s World Championship, a William Jones Cup championship in 2014, a bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, and participation with Canada at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup.

Her professional résumé includes league and cup championships in Greece, Serbia, Mexico and Lebanon, along with a WNBL finals appearance in Australia. During her 2024 season with Red Star in Serbia, she was part of the league and cup championship team and received multiple individual honours, including Finals MVP, Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Centre of the Year recognition.

Potter has also remained connected to the Manitoba basketball community. The outdoor court behind Glenlawn Collegiate carries her name, and she has hosted the free “Mad Love for Female Hoopers” community event for young female players in Winnipeg.

VISIT AISIN WINGS ON INSTAGRAM

Source announcement: The Players Pick (@theplayerspick). Background information: Basketball Manitoba, FIBA and Aisin Wings.

REMINDER: Club Basketball Team Registration Portal Opening Tue Sept 1 for 2026-27 Season Registration

2026-09-15T12:01:39.140-05:00

NOW OPEN: The Club Team Registration Portal opens for the upcoming season (as of Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 10:00 am), allowing programs to register their teams directly with Basketball Manitoba, effective for the 2026-27 club season. Club teams must also register with Basketball Manitoba while registering with a respective club league or tournament, including Peg City Basketball and other club competitions.

This annual process will ensure that all team members and facilities are properly registered and insured, and that coaches complete the needed Criminal Records Check background screening steps per Basketball Manitoba Policy. Coaches will also be prompted to enter their Respect in Sport completion code, NCCP coach certification status and other important details. All coaches must complete their Respect in Sport training before coaching in their first game this season.

The Team Registration Fees are $550 per team. An additional $30 per coach fee has been added to address the costs of completing a criminal records check. Coaches who have completed a Criminal Records Check with Basketball Manitoba in the past 5 years do not need to complete one again.

NEW FOR 2026: As part of your club registration, you will receive an automatic free registration for up to 3 coaches to the Basketball Manitoba Super Coaches Clinic, set for Friday, October 23, 2026, online ($120 value), for clubs who register before October 1, 2026.

This process, including fee payment options (Interac eTransfer or credit card), will be 100% online, eliminating the need for paper, in-person, or mailed payments.

Basketball Manitoba Membership includes...

Accident and Liability insurance coverage for up to 15 players and 3 coaches for basketball activities (games, practices, training) while in Canada and the USA for one full calendar year.
Liability insurance coverage for all facilities used by your program for up to $5,000,000 in protection.
Costs tied to providing background screening for your coaches in your program ($30.00 per coach).
Access to MABO-certified and insured basketball officials for games hosted in Manitoba
Opportunity to promote your program's activities (tryouts, camps, competitions, results, etc.) on Basketball Manitoba communication platforms (including website, social media, email newsletters, etc.)

Teams that have established their rosters can register their teams beginning Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at...

http://clubregistration.basketballmanitoba.ca

The portal will open to club teams to register with Basketball Manitoba for the 2026-27 season on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 10:00 am.

Before completing the registration form, please have with you all player names, player birth years, coach names and contact information, and, if completed, Respect in Sport certificate numbers and NCCP coach education status, as that information will be requested throughout the registration process.

UPDATED AND ONLINE: Basketball Manitoba to Host In-Person Anti-Racism Training for Coaches and Sport Leaders on Sep 27

2026-09-15T10:25:44.910-05:00

Basketball Manitoba, in partnership with Anti-Racism in Sport, will host an in-person Anti-Racism Training session on Sunday, September 27, 2026, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm online.

The interactive 3.5-hour session is designed for coaches and other sport stakeholders who want to strengthen their understanding of racism in sport and develop practical strategies for responding to racist incidents and creating safer, more inclusive environments.

Racism can affect sport at the individual, community and systemic levels, and coaches can play an important role in shaping the culture and environment experienced by athletes.

Coach the Game. Change the Culture.

Coaches influence more than what happens on the scoreboard. They also help shape the culture of their teams and the experiences of the athletes, families and communities around them.

The session will explore how racism can appear in locker rooms, on sidelines, in the stands, online and throughout sport systems. Participants will build their confidence in recognizing racism, responding appropriately and taking practical steps toward more inclusive sport environments.

What Participants Will Gain

Build anti-racism literacy and understand key concepts.
Explore racism in Canadian sport and its impact on athletes and communities.
Recognize racism in action, from individual behaviours to systemic barriers.
Learn practical strategies for responding to racist incidents on and off the field.
Better understand systemic racism and the role coaches and sport leaders can play in addressing it.
Identify ways to create safer and more inclusive team and sport environments.

The session is intended to help move participants from awareness to action, recognizing that coaches do not simply teach the game—they also influence the culture surrounding it.

Event Details

Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Time: 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Zoom Online Meeting
Format & Price: Online and FREE

REGISTER HERE

For additional information about Anti-Racism in Sport, visit antiracisminsport.ca or contact Clara Flores.

National Coaches Week 2026 Features Free NCCP eLearning Modules and 25% Off Canada Basketball Game Plan Courses

2026-09-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

Basketball Manitoba is sharing two National Coaches Week learning opportunities promoted by the Coaching Association of Canada and Canada Basketball Coaching.

National Coaches Week runs from Monday, September 14 to Sunday, September 20, 2026 and recognizes the contributions coaches make to athletes, teams and sport communities across Canada.

Free NCCP eLearning Modules

During National Coaches Week, a different National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) eLearning module will be available free of charge each day from Monday to Thursday. Coaches can visit coach.ca/NCW to access the daily promotional codes and full details.

September 14: NCCP Coach Initiation in Sport
September 15: NCCP Creating a Positive Sport Environment
September 16: NCCP Sport Nutrition
September 17: NCCP Coaching Athletes with a Disability

25% Off Canada Basketball Game Plan eLearning Modules

Canada Basketball Coaching is also promoting a 25% discount on all Game Plan eLearning modules for member coaches during National Coaches Week. The modules are accessible at any time, tied to NCCP training and intended for coaches at all levels.

Coaching Basketball 101 — now $7.50
Offensive Style of Play — now $11.24
Defensive Style of Play — now $11.24
Introduction to Mental Skills in Basketball — now $11.24
A Parent/Guardian’s Role in Youth Basketball — free

For more information on National Coaches Week and the daily free eLearning opportunities, visit coach.ca/NCW.

Winnipeg Sea Bears and Buckets & Borders Unveil New Outdoor Double Court at Gordon Bell High School

2026-09-14T12:23:14.923-05:00

WINNIPEG, MB – September 14, 2026 – The Winnipeg Sea Bears and Buckets & Borders are celebrating the completion of a new outdoor double basketball court at Gordon Bell High School, with a grand opening celebration on Friday, September 25 at 3 Borrowman Pl., Winnipeg, MB from 1:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the community.

The double court is a Winnipeg Sea Bears Foundation project — part of an ongoing commitment to removing barriers to sport and investing in basketball spaces across Winnipeg and rural Manitoba. The courts' design was led by the students of Gordon Bell High School themselves, who contributed their own sketches, words, and colours to a collaborative youth design session. The finished artwork, executed by Buckets & Borders centres on Gordon Bell's iconic Panther, rendered in the school's signature purple and yellow with teal accents as a nod to the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

David Asper, Owner and Chair of the Winnipeg Sea Bears, stated: “This is a statement project for the community and we’re very proud to help make it happen. The collaboration among Buckets and Borders, Winnipeg School Division and the Sea Bears is potent. It started at RB Russell and continues now at Gordon Bell. Inch by inch we beautify, instill pride and promote healthy active living through basketball and love it every time we open a new project. Congratulations to Gordon Bell and Go Panthers!”

Justin Lee, CEO and Founder of Buckets & Borders, added: "Winnipeg has become a real home base for Buckets & Borders, and this project reflects why. The design was shaped directly by the students at Gordon Bell High School, who are the ones leading the charge on this project. Alongside the Winnipeg Sea Bears, TelPay, and the Winnipeg School Division, we're building a court that belongs to them." - Justin Lee, Buckets & Borders, CEO & Co-Founder.

The opening ceremony will also mark the unveiling of a new landmark: an eight-foot statue of Churchill, the Sea Bears mascot, positioned permanently alongside the court as a fixture of the community for years to come. The Sea Bears Tundra Buggy — the team's custom-built electric vehicle inspired by the working buggies that roam the tundra outside Churchill, Manitoba — will also be on site for the celebration.

The Gordon Bell Project marks the ninth court the Winnipeg Sea Bears and Buckets & Borders have opened together across Manitoba. Students from Gordon Bell High School and Feeder Elementary schools will take part in the day's programming, getting first access to the new courts. The project was made possible through the support of project partners Telpay, The Winnipeg Sea Bears Foundation and the Winnipeg School Division.

Media are invited to attend the opening remarks and official ribbon cutting at 1:30 p.m.

GRAND OPENING SCHEDULE

1:30 p.m. – Opening Remarks & Official Ribbon Cutting
2:00 p.m. – Free Youth Basketball Camp. Gordon Bell students and Feeder Elementary schools are invited to participate.
4:00 p.m. – Free 3x3 Workshop & Mini Tournament for Gordon Bell Students
6:00 p.m. – Local All-Star Game
7:00 p.m. – Event Wrap-Up

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

The Winnipeg Sea Bears are Manitoba’s professional basketball team and reigning Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) champions. Named for the polar bear (Ursus maritimus, the “Sea Bear”), the franchise is rooted in the fierce spirit of the north and the vibrant, multicultural heart of Winnipeg. Home court: Canada Life Centre.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears Foundation

The Winnipeg Sea Bears Foundation is a Manitoba charitable initiative focused on youth health, opportunity, and access to basketball. Its mission is to reduce financial barriers to sport and to create, refurbish, and maintain public basketball courts that serve communities across Manitoba.

About Buckets & Borders

Buckets & Borders (B&B) is a non-profit organization that uses basketball as a means to improve communities and bring people together. A core part of B&B’s mandate is to restore basketball courts with full-scale art pieces completed across the surface of the court. The objective is to create inclusive spaces that celebrate multiculturalism and tell the stories of the communities in which the courts are being restored. More information can be found at http://www.bucketsandborders.com.

REMINDER: Sport Manitoba to Celebrate National Coaches Week Sep 14-20, 2026 with Free Coach Training, Bursaries

2026-09-14T11:53:22.093-05:00

National Coaches Week will take place from Monday, September 14 to Sunday, September 20, 2026, recognizing the positive impact coaches have on basketball players, teams and communities throughout Manitoba and across Canada.

Basketball Manitoba recognizes the leadership, dedication and countless volunteer hours contributed by coaches at every level of the game—from introductory, community and school basketball to club, provincial team and high-performance programs. Coaches help athletes develop their skills, confidence, teamwork and lifelong connection to sport.

Throughout National Coaches Week, Sport Manitoba Coaching will offer coach recognition activities, professional development sessions, documentary screenings and free National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) multi-sport training opportunities.

All listed online and in-person NCCP multi-sport courses are available free to Manitoba coaches. Coaches will initially pay the applicable registration fee and will be reimbursed after completing the module. Space is limited for several activities.

Basketball coaches can review course information and registration details through the Sport Manitoba Coaching calendar or the Locker.

National Coaches Week Schedule

Monday, September 14

Dollars & Donuts – Grants Q&A at the Sport Manitoba theatre
Prize pong throughout the day
Between Fine and Not Fine: Coaching Before the Crisis, 7:00–8:15 pm on Microsoft Teams
Coaches Corner stories throughout the day

Tuesday, September 15

Prize pong throughout the day
Coach Screening Q&A drop-in throughout the day
Communicating Effectively with Officials, featuring Nathalie Kleinschmit, 12:00–1:30 pm
NCCP Manage a Sport Program, 5:30–9:30 pm, virtual

The session featuring Nathalie Kleinschmit may be particularly relevant to basketball coaches looking to strengthen communication and working relationships with officials.

Wednesday, September 16

PSO Coaches Representative Lunch with Sports en français, 12:00–1:30 pm in Conference Room A
Sidelined: The Colour of the Game documentary screening and food, 6:00 pm in Conference Room A
NCCP Coaching and Leading Effectively – Part 1, 5:30–9:30 pm, virtual
Coaches Corner stories throughout the day

Thursday, September 17

Creating Safer Spaces in Sport for Non-Binary Athletes, featuring Heidi Paetkau, 12:00–1:30 pm at the Sport Manitoba theatre
Female Mentorship Q&A throughout the day
NCCP Coaching and Leading Effectively – Part 2, 5:30–9:30 pm, virtual

Friday, September 18

Prize pong throughout the day
2027 Coach Summit Discovery Lunch, 12:00–1:00 pm
Give & Go sports documentary, 9:00 am–4:00 pm, with the 35-minute documentary beginning every hour
NCCP Mentorship, 4:30–9:30 pm, virtual
Coaches Corner stories throughout the day

Saturday, September 19

NCCP Prevention and Recovery – Part 1, 9:00 am–2:00 pm, virtual

Sunday, September 20

NCCP Prevention and Recovery – Part 2, 6:00–9:00 pm, virtual

Free NCCP eLearning Opportunities

The Coaching Association of Canada will also provide selected NCCP eLearning modules free of charge on specific days during National Coaches Week.

Basketball coaches can log in to the Locker and use the applicable promotional code. Each code is valid only on the date listed.

September 14: NCCP Coach Initiation in Sport
Promo code: CI-58166-NCW
September 15: NCCP Creating a Positive Sport Environment
Promo code: CPSE-45439-NCW
September 16: NCCP Sport Nutrition
Promo code: Nutri-61827-NCW
September 17: NCCP Coaching Athletes with a Disability
Promo code: COACH-4825-NCW

These modules provide coaches with opportunities to strengthen their knowledge in athlete development, positive sport environments, nutrition, inclusion and accessibility.

Recognizing Manitoba Basketball Coaches

Basketball players, families, teams, clubs and community organizations are encouraged to recognize the coaches who have made a difference in their lives by sharing a message, photo or video on social media using #ThanksCoach and #CoachesWeek.

Participants can also tag @SportManitoba on Instagram and X or @SportMB on Facebook.

A Thanks Coach gratitude wall will be available throughout the week on Level 2 near the Sport Manitoba Courts at 145 Pacific Avenue. Members of the basketball community can stop by and share why they appreciate a current or former coach.

Sport Manitoba will also accept nominations for the 2026 Sport Manitoba Coaching Awards during National Coaches Week. Athletes, families and organizations can submit a coaching award nomination online.

Applications are also open for developing female coaches interested in participating as mentees in Sport Manitoba’s Female Mentorship Program.

Ahead of National Coaches Week, Sport Manitoba also recognized coaches through the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Coach Appreciation Game on Friday, August 28, and invited eligible full-time post-secondary students actively coaching in Manitoba to apply for one of four $500 coaching bursaries by August 31.

Organizations and individuals can access graphics, suggested social media messages and other recognition resources through the Coaching Association of Canada’s National Coaches Week Participation Guide.

Basketball Manitoba encourages everyone in the provincial basketball community to use National Coaches Week as an opportunity to recognize coaches, continue learning and celebrate the people whose leadership supports the growth of the game.

Questions regarding Sport Manitoba’s National Coaches Week activities or course promotion can be directed to coaching@sportmanitoba.ca.

Canada Basketball Fall 2026 NCCP Train to Compete Workshops with Planning, Skills and Strategies Modules Running Sept to Nov

2026-09-14T11:53:14.891-05:00

Canada Basketball is promoting a fall 2026 series of NCCP Train to Compete workshops for coaches working with athletes in the later stages of competitive basketball development.

Train to Compete is part of Canada Basketball’s NCCP Competition Development pathway and is intended for coaches guiding competitive athletes who may be preparing for post-secondary, national team or other advanced basketball opportunities.

The fall schedule includes three separate modules: Planning, Skills and Strategies. Coaches must attend all sessions listed for the module they register for in order to complete that course series.

All times below are shown in Central Time for Manitoba, with Eastern Time in parentheses.

Train to Compete – Planning

Four-session series

Monday, September 21 — 5:00–8:00 p.m. CT (6:00–9:00 p.m. ET)
Tuesday, September 22 — 5:00–8:00 p.m. CT (6:00–9:00 p.m. ET)
Wednesday, September 23 — 5:00–8:00 p.m. CT (6:00–9:00 p.m. ET)
Thursday, September 24 — 5:00–8:00 p.m. CT (6:00–9:00 p.m. ET)

Train to Compete – Skills

Five-session series

Monday, October 12 — 5:00–8:00 p.m. CT (6:00–9:00 p.m. ET)
Tuesday, October 13 — 5:00–8:00 p.m. CT (6:00–9:00 p.m. ET)
Tuesday, October 20 — 5:00–8:00 p.m. CT (6:00–9:00 p.m. ET)
Wednesday, October 21 — 5:00–8:00 p.m. CT (6:00–9:00 p.m. ET)
Saturday, October 31 — 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. CT (10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. ET)

Train to Compete – Strategies

Five-session series

Monday, November 9 — 5:00–8:00 p.m. CT (6:00–9:00 p.m. ET)
Tuesday, November 10 — 5:00–8:00 p.m. CT (6:00–9:00 p.m. ET)
Wednesday, November 11 — 5:00–8:00 p.m. CT (6:00–9:00 p.m. ET)
Thursday, November 12 — 5:00–8:00 p.m. CT (6:00–9:00 p.m. ET)
Saturday, November 21 — 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. CT (10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. ET)

Coaches can find workshop registration through Canada Basketball’s Game Plan platform. Registration availability, fees and any prerequisites should be confirmed in Game Plan before registering.

More information: Canada Basketball Coaching Pathways

Sport Manitoba Announces NCCP Multi-Sport Coach Education Courses for Sep to Dec 2026

2026-09-14T11:53:01.115-05:00

Basketball Manitoba is sharing Sport Manitoba’s schedule of National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) multi-sport courses available from September through December 2026.

The schedule includes online training in Competition Introduction, Competition Development and core coach developer topics. One in-person Fundamental Movement Skills course will also be offered at Sport Manitoba in Winnipeg.

All course times are listed in Central (Manitoba) time. Registration is completed through the Coaching Association of Canada’s Locker using the links below.

September 2026

National Coaches Week Courses

NCCP Manage a Sport Program (Competition Development)

Cost: $60
Delivery: Online
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Time: 5:30–9:30 p.m.
Register for Manage a Sport Program

NCCP Coaching and Leading Effectively (Competition Development)

Cost: $95
Delivery: Online
Part 1: Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 5:30–9:30 p.m.
Part 2: Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 5:30–9:30 p.m.
Register for Coaching and Leading Effectively

NCCP Mentorship

Cost: $70
Delivery: Online
Date: Friday, September 18, 2026
Time: 4:30–9:30 p.m.
Register for NCCP Mentorship

NCCP Prevention and Recovery (Competition Development)

Cost: $85
Delivery: Online
Part 1: Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Part 2: Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Register for Prevention and Recovery

Additional September Courses

NCCP Core Master Coach Developer

Cost: $80
Delivery: Online
Part 1: Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 5:30–9:30 p.m.
Part 2: Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Register for Core Master Coach Developer

NCCP Fundamental Movement Skills (Competition Introduction)

Cost: $45
Delivery: In person
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Time: 12:00–4:00 p.m.
Location: Conference Room B, Sport Manitoba, 145 Pacific Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Register for Fundamental Movement Skills

NCCP Design a Basic Sport Program (Competition Introduction)

Cost: $55
Delivery: Online
Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Time: 4:30–9:30 p.m.
Register for Design a Basic Sport Program

October 2026

NCCP Developing Athletic Abilities (Competition Development)

Cost: $85
Delivery: Online
Part 1: Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Part 2: Tuesday, October 6, 2026, from 5:30–9:30 p.m.
Register for Developing Athletic Abilities

NCCP Basic Mental Skills (Competition Introduction)

Cost: $45
Delivery: Online
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Register for Basic Mental Skills

NCCP Core Coach Evaluator

Cost: $55
Delivery: Online
Part 1: Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Part 2: Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Register for Core Coach Evaluator

NCCP Teaching and Learning (Competition Introduction)

Cost: $55
Delivery: Online
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Register for Teaching and Learning

November 2026

NCCP Managing Conflict (Competition Development)

Cost: $70
Delivery: Online
Part 1: Tuesday, November 3, 2026, from 5:30–9:00 p.m.
Part 2: Wednesday, November 4, 2026, from 5:30–9:00 p.m.
Register for Managing Conflict

NCCP Design a Basic Sport Program (Competition Introduction)

Cost: $55
Delivery: Online
Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
Time: 4:00–9:00 p.m.
Register for Design a Basic Sport Program

NCCP Coaching and Leading Effectively (Competition Development)

Cost: $95
Delivery: Online
Part 1: Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from 5:30–9:30 p.m.
Part 2: Thursday, November 12, 2026, from 5:30–9:30 p.m.
Register for Coaching and Leading Effectively

NCCP Core Training for Learning Facilitators

Cost: $80
Delivery: Online
Part 1: Sunday, November 15, 2026, from 5:00–9:00 p.m.
Part 2: Monday, November 16, 2026, from 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Register for Core Training for Learning Facilitators

NCCP Manage a Sport Program (Competition Development)

Cost: $60
Delivery: Online
Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2026
Time: 5:30–9:30 p.m.
Register for Manage a Sport Program

NCCP Planning a Practice (Competition Introduction)

Cost: $55
Delivery: Online
Date: Saturday, November 28, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Register for Planning a Practice

December 2026

NCCP Basic Mental Skills (Competition Introduction)

Cost: $45
Delivery: Online
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Register for Basic Mental Skills

NCCP Psychology of Performance (Competition Development)

Cost: $85
Delivery: Online
Part 1: Thursday, December 10, 2026, from 5:30–9:00 p.m.
Part 2: Saturday, December 12, 2026, from 9:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Register for Psychology of Performance

NCCP Teaching and Learning (Competition Introduction)

Cost: $55
Delivery: Online
Date: Sunday, December 13, 2026
Time: 4:00–9:30 p.m.
Register for Teaching and Learning

NCCP Prevention and Recovery (Competition Development)

Cost: $85
Delivery: Online
Part 1: Tuesday, December 29, 2026, from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Part 2: Wednesday, December 30, 2026, from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Register for Prevention and Recovery

Coaches are encouraged to register early through the individual course links, as availability may be limited.

REMINDER: Sport Medicine and Science Council of Manitoba Free Virtual Concussion 101 Workshop for Basketball Coaches, Parents, Athletes and Officials on Sep 21, 2026

2026-09-14T11:52:48.579-05:00

The Sport Medicine and Science Council of Manitoba has announced a free virtual Concussion 101 Workshop on Monday, September 21, 2026, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. via Zoom.

The one-hour education session will focus on concussion prevention and management. The information is relevant to basketball coaches, parents, athletes, officials, team staff and other members of the basketball community.

Basketball Manitoba's Concussion Education and Resource Centre notes that a concussion is a brain injury that cannot be seen on routine X-rays, CT scans or MRIs. It can affect how a person thinks and remembers and may result from a blow to the head, face or neck, or from an impact to the body that jars the head.

Possible concussion signs and symptoms may be physical, cognitive, emotional or sleep-related. These can include headache, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, balance problems, sensitivity to light or sound, feeling slowed down or in a fog, difficulty concentrating or remembering, emotional changes and changes in sleep.

If a concussion is suspected during a basketball game or practice, the athlete should stop participating immediately and should not return to the same game or practice. Basketball Manitoba's youth concussion protocol directs that the athlete be referred for medical assessment. Emergency medical assistance should be requested when serious red flags are present, including severe or increasing headache, repeated vomiting, seizure or convulsion, neck pain, loss of consciousness, growing confusion or a deteriorating conscious state.

For a diagnosed concussion, recovery and return to basketball should be gradual and medically supervised. Basketball Manitoba's protocol includes return-to-school and basketball-specific return-to-sport steps. An athlete diagnosed with a concussion must provide a signed Medical Clearance Letter before returning to full-contact practice or game play.

Additional basketball-specific concussion education, recognition tools, medical assessment resources and return-to-basketball information are available at www.basketballconcussion.ca.

Use the Basketball Manitoba Website Forums to Post Your Needs for Coaches & Games

2026-09-14T09:56:45.893-05:00

As the club and community club seasons are soon here, programs in Manitoba are encouraged to use the Basketball Manitoba Forum on our website to post any needs for coaches or games this coming year. The open forum has 5 categories where anyone can post information, including coaching needs and programs hosting or looking to compete in basketball tournaments.

Post your information and read others now at...

http://www.basketballmanitoba.ca/p/forum.html

Basketball Manitoba’s Comprehensive Post-Secondary Resource Guide for Student-Athletes Updated for 2026-27 Season

2026-09-11T16:08:47.895-05:00

Basketball Manitoba has released an updated edition of its Manitoba Basketball Post-Secondary Resource Guide, providing student-athletes, parents and coaches with current information to help navigate the increasingly complex process of pursuing basketball opportunities at the university and college levels in Canada and the United States.

The updated guide reflects several significant eligibility, transfer, scholarship and recruiting changes introduced during 2025 and 2026. A new “Changes for 2026” section has been added near the beginning of the guide, while updated information has also been incorporated throughout the resource.

Among the most significant changes is the NCAA’s adoption of a new age-based five-year eligibility model for Divisions I and II. The five-year period generally begins with a student-athlete’s first full-time post-secondary enrolment or at the beginning of the regular academic year immediately following their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first. Transitional provisions apply during the 2026-27 academic year, with the new model applying exclusively to athletes first enrolling full-time in fall 2027 or later.

The guide also reflects the removal of SAT and ACT scores as NCAA Division I and II initial-eligibility requirements. Individual universities may still use standardized testing as part of their admissions processes or when determining academic scholarships.

Several important transfer changes are also highlighted. Beginning in 2026-27, qualifying U SPORTS student-athletes in their first or second academic year may transfer between U SPORTS institutions without serving the traditional 365-day competition penalty when the applicable requirements and deadlines are met. NCAA Division I men’s and women’s basketball have also moved to a 15-day transfer-notification window beginning the day following the respective NCAA championship, along with a separate transfer period associated with qualifying head-coaching changes.

The rapidly changing NCAA financial landscape is addressed as well. Following implementation of the House settlement, participating NCAA Division I institutions moved away from the previous sport-specific scholarship-limit system. Men’s and women’s basketball programs now operate with 15-player roster limits, with participating institutions permitted to provide athletic scholarships to any or all players on those rosters. The guide also includes updated information concerning NCAA amateurism, agents, professional drafts, NIL considerations and the additional immigration and financial considerations facing Canadian student-athletes competing in the United States.

Closer to home, the guide has been updated to reflect the evolving MCAC and CCAA basketball pathway in Manitoba. Red River College Polytechnic returns to MCAC basketball for the 2026-27 season, with Manitoba programs positioned to enter the CCAA national basketball championship pathway beginning with the 2027-28 season.

Beyond these changes, the Manitoba Basketball Post-Secondary Resource Guide provides extensive information on U SPORTS, Canada West, the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference, CCAA and NCAA opportunities. It includes Manitoba university and college basketball program information and contacts, eligibility and recruiting guidance, scholarships and financial aid, transfers, NCAA eligibility, campus visits, recruiting questions for athletes and parents, wheelchair basketball opportunities, academic preparation, mental health considerations, recruiting red flags and practical advice for communicating with post-secondary coaches.

Basketball Manitoba encourages high school student-athletes, parents, coaches and guidance counsellors to review the updated guide early in the post-secondary planning process. Eligibility and recruiting rules can change frequently, and individual circumstances can significantly affect an athlete’s status. Student-athletes should always confirm their individual eligibility with the athletics compliance office of any institution they are considering.

VIEW THE FULL GUIDE HERE

Last updated September 14, 2026

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER: Home Court Coaches Clinic Set for Sat Sep 19 at Dakota Collegiate

2026-09-11T14:04:55.005-05:00

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
Pierre Dubreuil - Providence College University

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.

SPACE IS ALMOST FULL SO REGISTER NOW!

REGISTER NOW

SPACE FILLING UP: 2026 Junior Officials Basketball Clinics Registration Now Open

2026-09-11T14:04:45.900-05:00

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

New FIBA Basketball Rules Take Effect October 1, 2026 for all Levels of Play in Manitoba

2026-09-10T15:14:39.811-05:00

Basketball Manitoba and the Manitoba Association of Basketball Officials are sharing news from FIBA with all players, coaches, officials, and administrators: the updated 2026 FIBA Official Basketball Rules will take effect on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

The new edition includes several changes intended to clarify how key situations are interpreted, improve consistency in officiating and create a more proportional approach to foul classifications and penalties.

Some of the most notable changes include:

New foul classifications: The former unsportsmanlike foul has been divided into two categories: disruptive fouls for tactical or unnecessary contact that interrupts play, and flagrant fouls for more serious actions that violate the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play.
Two categories of technical fouls: More serious Category 1 technical fouls will count toward game disqualification, while less severe Category 2 technical fouls will not.
Updated act-of-shooting definition: The rules provide greater clarity on when the act of shooting begins and ends for jump shots, moving shots and drives to the basket.
Clarification of double-dribble situations: Updated wording identifies when a player has lost control of the ball and may legally begin another dribble.
More flexibility for court markings: Court-line colours may vary for branding and design purposes, provided corresponding markings remain consistent, clearly visible and in high contrast with the playing surface.
Expanded instant replay provisions: Where an Instant Replay System is available, officials will have additional review options involving throw-in fouls, goaltending, basket interference and foul classifications.
Updated signals and scoresheet markings: New referee signals and scoresheet designations have been introduced for disruptive fouls, flagrant fouls and the two technical-foul categories.

The changes also clarify tournament classification procedures for teams eliminated at different stages of an event.

Coaches, officials, players, and league administrators are encouraged to review the updated rules and supporting interpretations before competition begins under the new edition. The FIBA summary highlights the principal revisions but does not include every minor or editorial change. If a discrepancy arises, the complete 2026 FIBA Official Basketball Rules will prevail.

VIEW ALL NEW FIBA RULEBOOKS HERE

OPEN TO ALL CLUBS & SCHOOLS: Elevate Your Basketball Team Fundraising with New Opportunity with Vertical Raise

2026-09-10T15:14:11.871-05:00

Basketball Manitoba is pleased to partner with Vertical Raise, revolutionizing fundraising with its cutting-edge online platform to help organizations maximize their fundraising efforts while minimizing time and energy spent. With expert fundraising coaches available to help facilitate the process and rapid 10–14-day fund delivery, Vertical Raise delivers the highest average donations compared to traditional methods. Their platform includes three great options: Straight donation, Digital discount card, and Gourmet popcorn. The digital discount card includes every Entertainment Book in North America and offers 750,000 discounts. Entertainment Book has been around for 65+ years and has the best discounts.

“By using the Vertical fundraising platform, the Manitoba Provincial Team was able to raise over $20,000 toward participant registration fees with very little effort. The process was straightforward, and the support provided made it easy to focus on promoting the initiative rather than worrying about logistics. What impressed us most was how much could be accomplished in such a short amount of time.” – Adam Wedlake, Basketball Manitoba

Whether your goal is to support basketball teams and programs at clubs, schools, or community centres, Vertical Raise simplifies the process. Participants can quickly sign up online, share their campaigns across digital platforms, and let the proprietary system handle the rest. From tracking progress through dashboards to fostering exponential annual growth, Vertical Raise takes the hassle out of fundraising.

LEARN MORE HERE...

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Central Plains Basketball Club Announces September 11–13, 2026 Tryouts in Portage la Prairie for Girls Born 2009–2012 and Boys Born 2009–2013

2026-09-10T04:00:00.000-05:00

Central Plains Basketball Club has announced fall 2026 basketball tryouts for girls born in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, and boys born in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Sessions are scheduled for September 11–13 at Portage Collegiate Institute (PCI) in Portage la Prairie.

The tryout for girls born in 2009, 2010 and 2011 that was originally scheduled for Thursday, September 10 has been moved to Friday, September 11, from 7:00–8:30 p.m. in the PCI West Gym. A second session for this group has been added on Sunday, September 13.

Tryout schedule

Group and birth years	Date	Time	Location
Girls: 2009, 2010, 2011	Friday, September 11	7:00–8:30 p.m.	PCI West Gym
Girls: 2009, 2010, 2011	Sunday, September 13	5:30–7:00 p.m.	PCI East Gym
Girls: 2012	Saturday, September 12	4:00–5:30 p.m.	PCI East Gym
Boys: 2009, 2010	Friday, September 11	8:30–10:00 p.m.	PCI West Gym
Boys: 2009, 2010	Sunday, September 13*	8:30–10:00 p.m.	PCI East Gym
Boys: 2011, 2012, 2013	Saturday, September 12	8:00–10:00 p.m.	PCI East Gym
Boys: 2011, 2012, 2013	Sunday, September 13	7:00–8:30 p.m.	PCI East Gym

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

2026-09-09T10:05:33.123-05:00

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
Saturday, September 26, 11am- 12:30pm

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.

REGISTRATION:

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

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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

"Blue Is New": MABO's New Basketball Referees Identified by Blue Whistles

2026-09-09T09:22:14.905-05:00

The Manitoba Association of Basketball Officials (MABO) is pleased to share details on a new initiative identifying a referee using a blue whistle is new to officiating and gaining experience in the role.

Through its new “Blue Is New” message, MABO is drawing attention to officials who are learning the game from a new perspective. The blue whistle serves as a visible reminder that referees, like players, develop their skills through experience.

MABO is asking the basketball community to give new officials the patience, respect and encouragement they need as they learn. Fans, coaches and players can support that development by recognizing the learning process and contributing to a respectful and encouraging environment during games.

MABO supports the growth, organization and development of basketball officials in Manitoba and works with Basketball Manitoba to provide officiating programs and services.

For information about officiating, certification and education opportunities in Manitoba, visit the MABO website.

Learn More About Officiating with MABO

REMINDER: BNA Lifestyle Announces 10-Session Fall Basketball Program for Ages 5-15 from Oct to Dec 2026

2026-09-08T15:05:00.000-05:00

BNA Lifestyle has announced its Basketball Basics & Beyond Basics fall basketball program for youth ages five to 15, featuring 10 Saturday sessions from October 3 to December 19, 2026.

The program will be held at Sturgeon Heights Community Centre and will provide age-appropriate instruction for beginner, developing and experienced basketball players.

Sessions will be led by Coach Brad, an assistant coach with the John Taylor varsity basketball team who has more than 20 years of experience coaching youth basketball.

The ages 5-6 program will introduce young participants to basic basketball skills and movement in a fun and supportive environment. The ages 7-9 and 10-13 programs are intended for players who are new to basketball, as well as those looking to improve the skills they already have.

The ages 13-15 program is a competitive session for players who have previous basketball experience and want to prepare for higher-level competition, including Tier 1 or junior varsity basketball. Prior basketball experience is required for this group.

The complete Saturday schedule is as follows:

Ages 5-6

1:00-2:00 p.m.

$200 plus GST

Ages 7-9

2:05-3:05 p.m.

$200 plus GST

Ages 10-13

3:10-4:30 p.m.

$225 plus GST

Ages 13-15 competitive

4:35-5:55 p.m.

$250 plus GST

The program includes 10 sessions held between Saturday, October 3 and Saturday, December 19, 2026.

Registration is available at www.bnalifestyle.com

For additional information, contact j.bnalifestyle@gmail.com.

Todd MacCulloch Hoop School Set for Fall 2026: WSD1 Host Schools Needed

2026-09-08T13:59:01.028-05:00

Basketball Manitoba, Sport Manitoba and Todd MacCulloch are excited to announce details about the Todd MacCulloch Hoop School Program for this fall season. The Todd MacCulloch Hoops School gives schools the opportunity to offer a basketball after-school program. It is designed to teach basic basketball skills to inner-city youth (grades 5-9) in a basketball camp environment. This program is open to 5 schools from the Winnipeg 1 School Division that host Grade 5-9 students.

The Todd MacCulloch Hoops School has been created as a blueprint for developing an overall, well-rounded basketball player. The program will offer 8 x 1.5-hour teaching sessions over a 2-month period.

The teaching sessions will progress from individual skills, such as shooting, dribbling and passing, to team offence and defence. Individual skills will be introduced at the beginning of the program and will be built upon throughout the 8 weeks. For example, one session will introduce footwork and pivoting, which will be reinforced during a session on individual offensive moves. The fundamentals that will be taught and the progression in which they are done will allow players to develop a solid base of skills in all phases of the game. At the conclusion of the program, participants will be able to play anywhere, whether it is on the playground or with their school or club teams. They will have individual skills that will contribute to the success of any team they are a part of.

This program will benefit more than just the participants. The coaches of the inner-city youth that this program is designed for will be present during the teaching sessions. As a result, they will develop an understanding of the fundamentals players need to learn. They will work with the instructors so they become comfortable with how the information should be presented to their players. This will allow these coaches to coach any player who comes to their program by being able to provide them with the basic skills of basketball.

There is no cost to a Winnipeg School Division school to get involved with this program, thanks to the generous support of Sport Manitoba and Todd MacCulloch.

The Program will provide:

1 head coach - if the school cannot appoint one
Lesson plans for each session
T-shirts for all participants
Basketballs for all participants
Coaching attire for all assistant coaches

Participating Schools to provide:

Facility and selection of the dates
2 assistant coaches to attend ALL sessions
Selection of the athletes

If your school is interested in participating in the Fall 2026 session, please complete the school application form on or before FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2026

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION FORM

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Tiara Preece at tiara@basketballmanitoba.ca