The Winnipeg School Division, Basketball Manitoba, Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council, Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association and Zueike have announced the launch of the Inner-City Basketball League, an initiative created by Russ Patterson, Vice Principal of École Victoria-Albert School. This league will provide students from 20 inner-city schools with the opportunity to engage in organized basketball, promoting physical activity, teamwork, and community engagement.
League Overview:
- Participants: Grade 5 and 6 boys and girls.
- Game Details:
- Games are played on 9-foot hoops using size 6 basketballs.
- Each game consists of two 12-minute running time halves with a one-minute halftime.
- Teams play 5-on-5, with a maximum of 10 players per team each week.
- Schedule: Games are held twice a week, with the first game starting at 12:00 PM and the second at 12:30 PM. The detailed schedule is below.
- Location: All games take place at the Sport For Life Centre, 145 Pacific Ave.
Participating Schools:
- A. David Livingstone School
- B. Dufferin School
- C. Fort Rouge School
- D. John M. King School
- E. King Edward School
- F. Machray School
- G. Mulvey School
- H. Norquay School
- I. Sister MacNamara School
- J. Strathcona School
- K. Victoria-Albert School
- L. Wellington School
- M. William Whyte School
- N. Glen Elm School
- O. Principal Sparling School
- P. Weston School
- Q. River Elm School
- R. Champlain School
- S. George V School
- T. Shaughnessy Park School
Inner-City Basketball League 2025 Schedule
Monday, February 24, 2025:
12:00 PM – A vs B, C vs D, E vs F, G vs H
12:30 PM – J vs E, F vs G, A vs D, B vs K, C vs H
Wednesday, February 26, 2025:
12:00 PM – M vs N, O vs P, C vs L, Q vs R, S vs T
12:30 PM – O vs S, L vs Q, M vs P, N vs T, C vs R
Monday, March 3, 2025:
12:00 PM – I vs R, J vs P, K vs N, L vs M, O vs Q
12:30 PM – O vs K, N vs L, I vs Q, R vs P, J vs M
Wednesday, March 5, 2025:
12:00 PM – A vs C, B vs D, S vs H, E vs G, F vs T
12:30 PM – E vs H, D vs F, B vs G, A vs T, S vs C
Monday, March 10, 2025:
12:00 PM – I vs T, K vs S, R vs M, L vs O, N vs Q
12:30 PM – K vs Q, I vs S, O vs T, L vs R, M vs N
Wednesday, March 12, 2025:
12:00 PM – B vs H, C vs F, A vs J, D vs P, E vs G
12:30 PM – A vs E, D vs H, B vs F, C vs J, G vs P
Monday, March 24, 2025:
12:00 PM – I vs L, M vs T, K vs R, N vs S, O vs Q
12:30 PM – K vs Q, I vs S, O vs T, L vs R, M vs N
Wednesday, March 26, 2025:
12:00 PM – B vs E, D vs J, P vs H, A vs G, F vs I
12:30 PM – P vs A, F vs H, D vs G, E vs I, B vs J
Partnerships:
This initiative is made possible through the collaboration of several key organizations:
- Winnipeg School Division (WSD): The largest school division in Winnipeg, dedicated to providing quality education and extracurricular opportunities to its diverse student population.
- Basketball Manitoba: The governing body for basketball in Manitoba, committed to the promotion and development of basketball across the province.
- Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council (MASRC): An organization that empowers Indigenous communities in Manitoba through sports and recreation initiatives.
- Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association (WMBA): Established in 1997, WMBA provides structured basketball leagues for Winnipeg’s youth, fostering skill development and sportsmanship.
- Zueike: Designs and manufactures premium athletic apparel for all lifestyles, contributing to the success of this league.
- Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute: Providing trained varsity student-athletes as referees for all games, with support from the Manitoba Association of Basketball Officials (MABO).
The Inner-City Basketball League exemplifies the power of community partnerships in creating meaningful opportunities for youth engagement and development.
For more information about the Inner-City Basketball League, please contact Adam Wedlake at adam@basketballmanitoba.ca