Association (ABA) have announced a partnership aimed to strengthen the
sport in Canada. As part of the agreement, the ABA has committed to
having local representation involved in all Canadian franchises. As
well, the ABA head office and all Canadian ABA teams will also be a
part of Canada’s national basketball membership program, “Be One”.
“The goal of Canada Basketball is to unify the Canadian Basketball community and we see this helping achieve that goal,” stated Canada Basketball Executive Director and CEO Fred Nykamp. “We have a shared passion for the game and this partnership ensures that Canadian players will have an domestic option to play after the college or university level. As well, the ABA will provide coaches and officials an opportunity to further be involved in the game at an elite level.”
On the court, Canadian ABA teams will have positions reserved for Canadian athletes, certified coaches and officials, while off the court, Canada Basketball, the ABA and its Canadian franchises will collaborate to deliver community basketball initiatives in local franchise markets.
“The ABA is extremely excited to be working closely with Canada Basketball,” stated Joe Newman, ABA Chief Executive Officer. “We are planning major expansions in Canada and getting involved with Canada Basketball, representing Canada’s national basketball interests was a natural fit for us. Their “Be One” program, vision, and strategy to take the sport of basketball to a whole new level in Canada, is truly outstanding and we are very proud to be associated with them. They are distinguishing themselves on the professional and world basketball stage."
Canada is currently home to two ABA teams, the Montreal Matrix and the Quebec City Kebs. A third franchise named the Rainmen will begin play in Halifax at the start of the 2007-08 season. The City of Halifax also played host to the 2007 All-Star game January 26-28.
“As a former Canadian University player, I feel like it's a great opportunity to play in the ABA in Canada” commented Dominique Soucy, a member of the Quebec City Kebs. “It offered me a chance to expand my game and to play against great competition after university. Having the ABA in Canada will help us as a country enlarge the pro athlete pool available to represent Canada in future international play, and therefore help us get better results. It will also have a great impact on future players as they will be able to see more and more quality basketball and know they have opportunities to play.”
Canada Basketball is a private, not-for-profit corporation that is committed to the growth of the sport in Canada. Just as important, Canada Basketball is focused on the development and preparation of Canada’s national teams for the Olympic; Pan American and FISU Games as well as the World Championships. The aspiration of Canada Basketball is to instill the pride, commitment, passion and respect that Canadians personify into the development of basketball across the country and internationally.
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