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 20 - September 22, 2024, at the Sport Manitoba Courts. This identification camp weekend is open to males and females born in
. 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 supplied 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 will be in Winnipeg from September 20 to September 22 to lead the male Identification Camp and select the training group.
Mike Mackay will lead the weekend sessions for females in Winnipeg from October 11 to October 13. A team of experienced Manitoba coaches and former Canadian National Team players 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 $15.00 per person to attend the ID sessions on September 20, 21, and 22. 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.
PROGRAM FEE
Those selected for the program will pay a $275.00 program fee. The program includes 30 hours 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.
ALL BELOW SESSIONS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE SPORT MANITOBA COURTS
(See the below map)
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 D1 basketball player and 12-year pro. 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 this year's 15U Provincial Team. Coach Tackie was an assistant coach with the 15U Male Provincial Team this past summer.
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 just completed the summer as head coach of the 17U Male Provincial Team, finishing with a 5-1 record.
PATRICK MART - Currently the head coach for the Junior Varsity Sturgeon Heights Huskies, Pat has experience coaching the Team Toba 17U and Canada Games provincial teams and in the Targeted Athlete Program (TAP). Pat was a standout high school and Provincial Team player and suited up for the University of Winnipeg Wesmen.
JUSTUS ALLEYN - A 2-time alumnus of Team Canada, playing significant roles in the 2017 FISU Games and winning a Silver Medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. After a stellar USPORTS career at the University of Manitoba, where he led the Canada West Conference in scoring with 24 ppg, Justus went on to play 3 years of professional basketball in Europe and was drafted and suited up for the Saskatchewan Rattlers and the Winnipeg Sea Bears of the CEBL.
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.
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MALE PROGRAM SCHEDULE
| DATE | TIME / COURT | SESS # |
| SESSION #1 - ID CAMP | | |
| September 20 - Friday | 5:30pm to 7:30pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 1 |
| September 21 - Saturday | 4:00pm to 6:00pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 2 |
| September 22 - Sunday | 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 3 |
| SESSION #2 | | |
| October 11 - Friday | 7:30pm to 9:30pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 4 |
| October 12 - Saturday | 6:15pm to 8:15pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 5 |
| October 13 - Sunday | 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 6 |
| SESSION #3 | | |
| October 25, Friday | 7:30pm to 9:30pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 7 |
| October 26 - Saturday | 6:15pm to 8:15pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 8 |
| October 27 - Sunday | 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 9 |
| SESSION #4 | | |
| November 15, Friday | 7:30pm to 9:30pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 10 |
| November 16 - Saturday | 6:15pm to 8:15pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 11 |
| November 17 - Sunday | 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 12 |
| SESSION #5 | | |
| December 6 - Friday | 7:30pm to 9:30pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 13 |
| December 7 - Saturday | 6:15pm to 8:15pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 14 |
| December 8 - Sunday | 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 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).
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. This has led to Leslie joining the TAP team, where she will work with some of the best talent in the province.
RAIZEL GUINTO - Four years of D1 basketball at Louisiana Tech and finished off her college career at the University of Winnipeg. She has been a standout player for the Manitoba provincial team throughout her years from 14U to 17U. She was an assistant at the 2024 Summer Manitoba Games for Team Winnipeg Gold, where she finished with a bronze medal.
KIARA RONGAVILLA - former Sisler High School basketball player who went on to play at Canadian Mennonite University. Kiara was an assistant at the 2024 Summer Manitoba Games for Team Winnipeg Gold, who finished with a bronze medal.
BREANNE SCOTT - has been instrumental in rebuilding the girl's 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 about the well-being of her players and is always working hard to develop her young athletes into wholesome individuals and leaders. Adding to this impressive accomplishment, she is also a hardworking and devout teacher for all her students. She is coaching the Junior Wesmen 15U team this season.
To view this information properly on a smartphone, rotate your device to a 'landscape' position to see all the data.
FEMALE PROGRAM SCHEDULE
| DATE | TIME / COURT | SESS # |
| SESSION #1 - ID CAMP |
| |
| September 20 - Friday | 7:30pm to 9:30pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 1 |
| September 21 - Saturday | 6:15pm to 8:15pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 2 |
| September 22 - Sunday | 4:00pm to 6:00pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 3 |
| SESSION #2 | | |
| October 11 - Friday | 5:30pm to 7:30pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 4 |
| October 12 - Saturday | 4:00pm to 6:00pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 5 |
| October 13 - Sunday | 12:00pm to 2:00pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 6 |
| SESSION #3 | | |
| October 25, Friday | 5:30pm to 7:30pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 7 |
| October 26 - Saturday | 4:00pm to 6:00pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 8 |
| October 27 - Sunday | 12:00pm to 2:00pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 9 |
| SESSION #4 | | |
| November 15, Friday | 5:30pm to 7:30pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 10 |
| November 16 - Saturday | 4:00pm to 6:00pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 11 |
| November 17 - Sunday | 12:00pm to 2:00pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 12 |
| SESSION #5 | | |
| December 6 - Friday | 5:30pm to 7:30pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 13 |
| December 7 - Saturday | 4:00pm to 6:00pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 14 |
| December 8 - Sunday | 12:00pm to 2:00pm - Courts 1,2,3 | 15 |
MAP TO SPORT MANITOBA COURTS - 145 PACIFIC AVENUE
QUESTIONS
IDENTIFICATION CAMP REGISTRATION FORM
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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 D1 basketball player and 12-year pro. 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 this year's 15U Provincial Team. Coach Tackie was an assistant coach with the 15U Male Provincial Team this past summer. 
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 just completed the summer as head coach of the 17U Male Provincial Team, finishing with a 5-1 record. 
PATRICK MART - Currently the head coach for the Junior Varsity Sturgeon Heights Huskies, Pat has experience coaching the Team Toba 17U and Canada Games provincial teams and in the Targeted Athlete Program (TAP). Pat was a standout high school and Provincial Team player and suited up for the University of Winnipeg Wesmen.
