New opportunities to play and coach basketball pave the way for W̱SÁNEĆ community members to continue the legacy of athletic excellence.

The W̱SÁNEĆ community has long exemplified excellence in sports, from soccer and lacrosse to paddling and boxing. 

Just this year, father-son duo Jasper and Len Morris of the Tsartlip first nation placed spectacularly in the VAA IVF World Sprints, a paddling competition drawing competitors from across the world. And, former Saanich Braves player Tua Va’a of  W̱JOȽEȽP celebrated an incredible boxing win. Their legacies sit alongside those of other talented community members, like lacrosse players John Etzel Jr., Charles Claxton, and Landon Underwood.

Now, the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board is creating opportunities for W̱SÁNEĆ community members to enjoy and excel in yet another sport: basketball. New opportunities include basketball teams for W̱SÁNEĆ youth and a free coaching certification program for community members aged 16 and up. 

W̱SÁNEĆ School Board Creates New Competitive Basketball Teams for W̱SÁNEĆ Youth

The W̱SÁNEĆ School Board understands sport is a phenomenal way for W̱SÁNEĆ youth to build life-long social skills, physical health, and mental health, and believes all youth in the community should have the opportunity to participate. 

That’s why the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board is establishing basketball teams for both elementary and middle school youth. The School Board intends to establish teams in time for upcoming tournaments. While participation in some teams will be limited to youth attending W̱SÁNEĆ School Board schools, others will be open to the community at large. 

W̱SÁNEĆ School Board staff member Julie Daniels is excited to bring basketball to the W̱SÁNEĆ community and anticipates W̱SÁNEĆ youth will flourish in basketball as they have in paddling, lacrosse, soccer, and boxing. 

Youth who are interested in joining these new teams are encouraged to contact 

Coaches:

ŦELȻILEM (Blake Joseph) at wsanecblake@gmail.com

 Jeremy Hall at halljeremy0@gmail.com

Volunteers:

Lateasha Charlie(lateasha@wsanec-online.com

Julie Daniels jdaniels@wsanec-online.com

Free Basketball Coach Certification Program for W̱SÁNEĆ Community

For those 16 and up who are interested in coaching W̱SÁNEĆ youth, W̱SÁNEĆ School Board is pleased to announce it will host the NCCP Basketball Learn to Train Program free of charge!

This offering is by the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board in conjunction with Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (ISPARC) and Basketball BC. 

Shaun McGuinness will facilitate the Program on the weekend of November 26th, from 9AM to 4PM on Saturday November 26th and from 9AM to 3PM on Sunday November 27th. 

The program will take place at the ȽÁU, WELṈEW̱ Tribal School Gymnasium, located at 7449 W Saanich Rd, Brentwood Bay, BC V8M 1R.3.

During the program, participants will work on and off the court to learn topics including ethical decision-making, modified games approach, LTAD, safety, age-appropriate practice planning, and skill development. 

Those who complete the program will earn NCCP Basketball Learn to Train – “Trained” status, and can choose to put their skills to use in support of the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board’s new youth basketball teams. 

Additionally, participants may seek out opportunities to coach with ISPARC, or pursue higher-level coaching certifications. If interest remains high, W̱SÁNEĆ School Board hopes to offer a Level 2 certification in the near future.

Daniels is hopeful this program will support the dreams of community members who want to make coaching into a full-time or part-time career, in turn, uplifting W̱SÁNEĆ athletes. 

Interested community members are encouraged to register as soon as possible at this link. 

Those with questions can contact Julie Daniels or Jeremy Speller:

Julie Daniels: (250) 589-4097 – jdaniels@wsanec-online.com

Jeremy Speller: (250) 856-0864 – jspeller@isparc.ca