MVP WINNER
Basketball For Life

Basketball for Life is a pre-season training program for high school girls in Calgary, Alberta. It started in September 2001 with 10-15 girls involved. The goal of the program is introduce girls to the concepts of pre-season training. The program runs from September to November in the months prior to the high school basketball season.

All but 2 of the girls involved last year made their high school basketball teams and many of the players' long-term goals are to play post-secondary in Canada and the USA. I see this program helping them achieve those goals by showing them that extra effort will help them see their goals realized.

The name of the program, Basketball for Life, comes from the idea that basketball is a life long sport. I've been playing for 17 years and coaching for 9 nine and I love basketball more now than ever and I want to pass that onto these girls. As one of very few female coaches I see a real need for more girls to get into coaching and I try to show the girls that basketball doesn't end when you are done playing.

This fall the program is starting off with a Training Camp for the first 3 days and then over the next 8 weeks building their speed, strength, mental toughness and basketball skills. The MVP grant will go towards the cost of facilities, equipment and specialized training materials.

Receiving this grant has been a big encouragement for me, showing me that my dedication to my sport and to the development of young players matters! Thank you to Nike and CAAWS for this support and helping me to continue what I love to do.

Kim Powell
Director
Basketball for Life

Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity contact us