It has been well established that what children learn through play provides a strong foundation that prepares them for future life experiences. Community-based recreation and sport programs have a responsibility to provide activities and environments where children from all walks of life feel safe, welcome, competent, connected, empowered, and special. Kinbridge Community Association’s Youth Basketball Program is one example of how we centre these ideals.
Youth Basketball Program
Last year at Kinbridge, we delivered basketball programming from September to December at four (4) local schools and our main community centre. Partnering with Alison Neighbourhood Community Centre and Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre enabled us to deliver programming at two (2) schools outside Kinbridge’s traditional boundaries.
We worked closely with Family and Children’s Services of Waterloo Region, who provided referrals and additional support for families facing more complex challenges. Their involvement helped ensure that families participating in our program gained access to the broader supports they needed to thrive. The City of Cambridge and the Cambridge Neighbourhood Organizations (CNO) also supported us through in-kind contributions, including equipment, access to space, and training resources. These partnerships were essential to ensuring we could offer a safe, well-equipped, and high-quality experience for all participants.
Each session of programming was 90 minutes long. This time included 45 minutes of skills and drills focused on fundamental basketball techniques such as dribbling, passing, shooting, and defensive play, designed to support physical literacy and build confidence. Next, there were 45 minutes of scrimmage and interactive, play-based activities, including pick-up games that encourage teamwork, communication, and positive peer interaction.
The program was designed to promote physical activity while fostering a sense of belonging and connection among participants. It also provided opportunities for children and youth to engage with positive role models, as each session is led by trained youth facilitators aged 17–29 from the local community. All five (5) sites worked toward a shared goal: participation in a region-wide basketball tournament held in December, which celebrated progress, sportsmanship, and community spirit.
December Tournament
The event brought together youth from Waterloo Region communities in grades eight (8) to twelve (12). It gave them a chance to play basketball, enjoy free pizza and drinks, and compete for a shared prize pot of $1,500.00. The senior student team won a shared cash prize of $750, while the junior group won $750 in gift cards. The most valuable player (MVP) of each division also won a pair of Draco slides. Raffles were run throughout the day for additional prizes, including Nike Elite backpacks, wristbands, headbands, shoe insoles, and Wilson Evolution basketballs.
The tournament was a partnership between:
- Kinbridge Community Association
- Alison Neighbourhood Community Center
- Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre
- Preston Heights Community Group
- Langs Community Centre
- YMCA of Three Rivers
- Half Leaf
- Fitpace
- Draco
- Rise Up Together
- Rythm and Blues
- Jumpstart
HalfLeaf 2025 Tournament Photo – Kinbridge Community Association
To every sponsor, volunteer, partner, and guest: thank you for supporting our youth in this incredible program.
2025 Basketball Tournament Team Photo – Kinbridge Community Association
2025 Basketball Tournament Staff Photo – Kinbridge Community Association