Raptors 905 Announces YMCA of Greater Toronto as an Official Partner
The YMCA of Greater Toronto and Raptors 905 kick off partnership announcement with a free Courtside Chat for basketball enthusiasts
TORONTO, February 01, 2021 - Today, the Raptors 905 and YMCA of Greater Toronto announced that the YMCA of Greater Toronto is an Official Partner of the Raptors 905.
For almost 130 years, basketball has been offered through various programs at YMCA centres across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The sport was even invented by a Canadian at a YMCA, making this partnership a natural fit for both organizations. As well, Raptors 905 home games are typically at Paramount Fine Foods Centre located in Mississauga, near the Mississauga YMCA.
Due to the pandemic, YMCA basketball courts and in-person health and fitness programs are currently unavailable but will reopen when COVID-19 regulations permit. Since the onset of the global pandemic, the Y has evolved programs and services to meet the needs of local communities, including those working on the frontlines.
The partnership comes just in time for the start of the Raptors 905 season and to kick off the collaboration, the Raptors 905 and Y present a free, virtual Courtside Chat for basketball lovers on Thursday, February 4 from 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. EST. The Courtside Chat will bring together leaders from both organizations virtually for an engaging discussion about Why Motivation Matters:
- Courtney M. Charles, Vice President, Basketball & Franchise Operations, MLSE
- Brittni Donaldson, Assistant Coach, Raptors 905
- Beth Morgan, General Manager, Health & Fitness, YMCA of Greater Toronto
- Dedric Nelson, General Manager, Teen Strategy, YMCA of Greater Toronto
To register to watch this virtual conversation, visit: https://bit.ly/36xS421.
“Basketball was invented at the YMCA and it’s part of our DNA, so we’re proud to be an official partner of the Raptors 905,” said Medhat Mahdy, President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater Toronto. “Basketball has a low barrier to entry and is a great way to stay active, develop skills that can be applied on and off the court, and find a sense of connection and belonging.”
“Basketball is something that brings people together,” said Courtney M. Charles, VP of Basketball and Franchise Operations. “Whether it’s a team of professionals or a pick-up game at the Y, we believe in the power of sport to unify and form connections between all walks of life and that’s what excited us most about our partnership with the YMCA.”
About Raptors 905
Raptors 905 are the official NBA G League affiliate of the Toronto Raptors. Founded in 2015, Raptors 905 began play during the 2015-16 season and claimed its first championship during the 2016-17 season. The team has helped develop current Toronto Raptors – including Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, Norman Powell and Chris Boucher.
About the YMCA of Greater Toronto
The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. For 170 years, the YMCA of Greater Toronto has provided opportunities for people to shine through a variety of programs and services including health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. Serving diverse communities across the Greater Toronto Area with kindness, well-being, integrity, inclusiveness, respect, and optimism, last year the YMCA made more than 700,000 connections across 450 locations. In response to COVID-19, YMCA basketball courts and in-person health and fitness programs are currently closed but there are virtual health and fitness offerings available, to learn more about these offerings visit www.SweatForGoodApp.ca. To learn more about the Y, visit: ymcagta.org.
For further information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Brittany Arnold, arnold@veritasinc.com, (905) 926-1863
Camille Cote-Begin, cotebegin@veritasinc.com, 416-819-2035
