NEW DATE FOR EAST REGION: Basketball Manitoba is pleased to announce the Rural Targeted Athlete Program (TAP) tryouts for female athletes ages 12-17 years old in the West, East, and South regions of Manitoba. This program provides females in Manitoba regions the opportunity to train at a high-performance level in the West, East, and South regions of Manitoba (see below Sport Manitoba defined map). It will help identify female athletes within these regions and provide the skills and training to better develop them for future basketball opportunities at the club, school, Manitoba Games and Manitoba Provincial Team levels.
Each training group will comprise approximately 20 female athletes born in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Those selected for the female Rural TAP program will train 2 times per week from September to December and another 8-weeks of training in spring 2023. The program fee will be $200.00 per athlete. Costs include training costs, gym rental, player gear package, coach expenses and accident and liability insurance.
PROGRAM SUMMARY:
- Who: Manitoba Females born in 2006-2010 (ages 12-17)
- What: Rural Targeted Athlete Program (TAP)
- When: Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 (8-week sessions, 2 times per week)
- Where: South (Sanford & Surrounding Areas), East (Stonewall/Selkirk) and West (Brandon and Shilo) Regions (as defined by Sport Manitoba). See the above map.
- Why: To identify female athletes within these regions and provide the skills and training to better develop the athletes for future basketball opportunities at the club, school, Manitoba Games and Manitoba Provincial Team levels.
PROGRAM FEES:
- A $25.00 tryout fee will be charged when you register online.
- Those selected for the program will pay a $200 program fee due to Basketball Manitoba on October 30, 2022.
OPEN TRYOUTS:
Open tryouts for this fall's Female Rural TAP will occur with the following age groups. The deadline to register is two days before the tryout begins.
- NEW EAST REGION
- Sunday, Sept 25 - 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at Selkirk Community Church in St Andrews, MB
- SOUTH REGION
- Fri Sept 9 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm & Sun Sept 11 - 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at Sanford Collegiate in Sanford, MB
- WEST REGION
- Sat Sept 10 - 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm & Sun Sept 11 - 2:30 pm - 4:30pm at General Strange Hall in Shilo, MB
REGIONAL DEFINITIONS:
Basketball Manitoba will follow the current regional boundary definitions set by Sport Manitoba. The regional map details the different parts of Manitoba and what areas fall into the East, South and West regions. An athlete trying out for the program must reside in the region they are trying out for. What school the athlete attends is not a factor. If an athlete lives at more than one residence located in two different regions, the region they live in most of the time will be used. TRYOUT MAPS:
EAST
SOUTH
WEST
IMPORTANT TRYOUT NOTES:
- Players are to pre-register using the below form and complete payment within 24 hours.
- Players are to bring their own basketball to be used during the tryouts. Personal basketballs should be marked with the player's name on them to aid in identifying the equipment.
MEET THE COACHES:
The TAP program is led by a group of excellent coaches to help develop the 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
In 2009 she was inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame for being a member of the Warren Wildcats basketball team. She has a level 1 and 2 NCCP Basketball certification 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 taking part in coaching clinics, and she is constantly trying to better 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.
EAST ASSISTANT COACHES - JAMES STOLAR
James Stolar has been involved in Manitoba basketball for many years. He began playing in grade 5 when he was allowed to play with the junior high team, and from then on, it has always been his favourite sport.
James was a member of the Junior Wesmen and a Manitoba provincial team member for two years. He was often selected as an all-star in many tournaments and games. When a knee injury sidelined him, he needed to take a new path in his basketball career. He became an active Peg City player for many years.
When he decided to get into coaching a few years ago, the open spot in his community was working with the Stonewall Collegiate Varsity girl's basketball team, where he has been for three years. James is now assisting with the TAP Interlake East program, where he strives to teach young athletes skill development and a love for the game. James is looking forward to developing his coaching repertoire as he continues with the Interlake East TAP program.
HUNTER LUPYRYPA
Hunter began playing basketball in grade eight, and her love for the game led her to continue playing until she graduated high school. Through basketball, she learned the lessons of hard work and the importance of teamwork.
After graduating, she decided that the coaching platform was an excellent way to stay involved in the sport. For the past three years, she has been the assistant coach for the Stonewall Collegiate Junior girls' basketball team, and last year, she started with the TAP East program. Hunter believes there is so much more to sports than games and tournaments. Friendships and memories are essential factors in developing a love for the game. As a coach, she wants to teach athletes fundamental skills while developing their team skills. She hopes to impart that wisdom while creating an experience to last beyond this team. Hunter is looking forward to expanding her coaching repertoire as she moves into the second year with the program.
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KELLI SINNOCK - TAP SOUTH HEAD COACH
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.
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.
SOUTH ASSISTANT COACHES: CASSIE GERBRANDT & MEGAN HAMM
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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 2020 Manitoba Summer Games before its cancellation due to the pandemic.Matt has been a firefighter/paramedic with the City of Brandon since 2008 and has spent time coaching at Crocus Plains and, for the last 7 seasons, with the varsity girls program at Neelin high school. He was a part of the coaching staff that led the Neelin varsity girls' team in 2018 to an undefeated AAA season ending in a provincial championship.
Matt also received the Jim Bulloch Coaching award in 2021, presented to him by Basketball Manitoba.
WEST ASSISTANT COACHES:
KINSLEY RANSOM
Kinsley Ransom brings a ton of basketball experience to the TAP West program. She led the Boissevain Broncos to 3 AA provincial titles before playing a 5-year USports career with the Brandon Bobcats. Kinsley was a member of the Manitoba provincial team in 2010, the MVP of the AA provincial championships three times and the AA provincial player of the year twice. She now lives and works as a veterinary assistant in the community she grew up in. We are thrilled to have Kinsley back with TAP West.
LAUREN MCCAUSLAND
Lauren McCausland is an excellent example of how to persevere through challenges. Lauren was a member of the defending AAA provincial championship Neelin Spartans, who had their season cut short days after qualifying for provincials due to the pandemic's start. Having her entire grade 12 season cancelled didn't stop her, as last year alone, she was a member of the JV Neelin Spartans coaching staff, the varsity Neelin Spartans coaching staff, as well as an assistant coach with the TAP West program. Lauren is tremendous with our athletes bringing a positive 'no quit' attitude to the gym daily. She is currently the athletic coordinator for a youth sports program in Brandon while attending Brandon University. We are excited to have Lauren back as part of the team.
TAYLOR LEONZIO
Taylor has been involved with basketball for many years. She had a solid high school career as a Sanford Sabre, leading her team to multiple Zone IV banners & provincial appearances. She was team captain in her grade 12 year & received the Ron Meyers Leadership Award presented by Basketball Manitoba in 2014 & she was named a graduating all-star. Taylor's natural leadership ability led her into coaching as she became an assistant coach with the varsity girls at Sanford Collegiate. Taylor then pursued her career as a Paramedic in the Westman area. Taylor is excited to continue her coaching with TAP west. She brings a high level of energy & ability to connect with athletes. We are happy to welcome Taylor to the team.
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QUESTIONS:
Questions on the program, registration and payments can go to Tiara Licsi at tiara@basketballmanitoba.ca
REGISTRATION:
The registration deadline is two days before the tryout begins (see above dates). Register now below to avoid disappointment.
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