Healthy Communities • Healthy Kids
Train like an NBA basketball pro at the YMCA
04 December 2015 - by Talía Noya
2016 will be a special year in the basketball world. For the first time ever, the NBA will hold an All-Star game outside of the US – it will be here in Toronto. 2016 also marks the 125th anniversary of the sport.
YMCA Canada has partnered with NBA Canada to celebrate basketball’s long history. Leading up to the All-Star game in February, the NBA is visiting YMCAs across the country to give youth the opportunity to get active, develop some team building skills, make new friends, and train with NBA role models.
The love of basketball runs deep here at YMCA of Greater Toronto. Our centres combined over 230 hours of basketball instruction and games every week.
Last weekend, our centres at West End, Mississauga and Brampton held basketball clinics for more than 200 kids and teens. NBA clinicians and the Raptors Dance Pak organized a whole hour of basketball fundamentals and drills, and even a few dance performances by the Pak.
On Friday, NBA BMO Kidsfest took place at Central YMCA. The Pak taught some dance routines, BMO set up gaming stations and children also had the opportunity to decorate tiles as part of the BMO Art Project. All the tiles will become part of a mural that will be displayed at the All-Star game. The highlight of the night was when athletes in training had the chance to practice their basketball skills (and take selfies!) with NBA legend Morris Peterson and Raptor.
The NBA comes back to Toronto in February 2016. Clinics will take place at our centres in Scarborough, North York and Markham. Stay tuned for additional dates and locations!
The NBA at the Y
YMCA Canada has partnered with NBA Canada to celebrate basketball’s long history. Leading up to the All-Star game in February, the NBA is visiting YMCAs across the country to give youth the opportunity to get active, develop some team building skills, make new friends, and train with NBA role models.The love of basketball runs deep here at YMCA of Greater Toronto. Our centres combined over 230 hours of basketball instruction and games every week.
Where it all began
Did you know that basketball was invented at the Y? In 1891, James Naismith a Canadian-born YMCA gym teacher invented basketball at the YMCA International Training School to keep members active during the winter. He split 18 young men into 2 teams, attached peach baskets to the gym balcony and came up with 13 rules for the teams to follow in order to sink soccer balls into the baskets. Many of these rules still remain today.
Basketball Clinics
Last weekend, our centres at West End, Mississauga and Brampton held basketball clinics for more than 200 kids and teens. NBA clinicians and the Raptors Dance Pak organized a whole hour of basketball fundamentals and drills, and even a few dance performances by the Pak.
On Friday, NBA BMO Kidsfest took place at Central YMCA. The Pak taught some dance routines, BMO set up gaming stations and children also had the opportunity to decorate tiles as part of the BMO Art Project. All the tiles will become part of a mural that will be displayed at the All-Star game. The highlight of the night was when athletes in training had the chance to practice their basketball skills (and take selfies!) with NBA legend Morris Peterson and Raptor.
Coming Soon
The NBA comes back to Toronto in February 2016. Clinics will take place at our centres in Scarborough, North York and Markham. Stay tuned for additional dates and locations!
