[PRESS RELEASE]
The largest single-age youth cohort tournament in Canada is coming to Ottawa this weekend from May 2-4. The U14 boys will compete in the Ontario Cup at several locations throughout the city.
The tournament will include 21 divisions and 168 teams from all over Ontario. The division one and two teams will compete at Algonquin College, and the rest of the divisions will be dispersed around Ottawa, including division three and four competing at Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School.
This tournament will be the largest single-age cohort tournament in Canada, and Ottawa is proud to host this event thanks to sponsors like Ottawa Tourism and Eastern Ontario Basketball Association.
Large events like this one are what make the sport of basketball so well-loved and inclusive. With 168 teams, they will have the chance to showcase the skill and talent that is exhibited at all abilities. The boys competing this weekend will likely go on to play high school basketball next year, so getting the chance to showcase their abilities on such a large scale creates an environment where they can expand confidence in their skills.
As the sport of basketball grows in Canada, it is important to showcase the young talent that is seen at tournaments like this. But without the history of the sport, we can’t celebrate the current successes.
The first known basketball game was played in Ottawa, which is why it is such a great place to have this major tournament. If you are interested in learning more about the history of basketball in Ottawa, Ottawa Basketball Network provides a historical walking tour, which explains in depth the culture and history of basketball in our nation’s capital.
Not only is youth basketball growing, but professional basketball in Canada is growing as well. The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) continues to grow its viewership each year, including the Ottawa Blackjacks, the Capital’s very own professional basketball team.
Along with the consistent growth of the CEBL, the Basketball Super League, which has five teams in Canada, has continued to see growth in viewership as well.
While the growth of basketball events skyrockets, Ottawa Basketball Network sees the potential to turn these events into mentorship platforms.
“Let’s take something youth love, basketball, and let them do it in deliberate ways that build essential skills and confidence,” said Leo Doyle, the founder of Ottawa Basketball Network. “Scaling-up basketball builds community, people, and relationships.”
“We’d love for the City of Ottawa to do more to support basketball. Hosting events such as the Ontario Cup helps us to get attention. And we’re delighted that city officials are starting to notice,” continued Doyle.
“We think an annual tournament, like a basketball version of the ‘Bell Capital Cup’ of hockey, would be a winner. But we need to create some indoor, multi-court spaces for that to be manageable and impactful for the city’s sport tourism goals.”
Join us this weekend, check out a game at one of our 21 locations, and celebrate the growth of the sport that brings everyone together.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact either:
Farrah Philpot, Ontario Cup Communications and Social Media Liaison – farrah.123@icloud.com
Lily Tran, Events Communication Coordinator – theneighborhoodhoop@gmail.com