The 2023 season of the Midnight Basketball League kicked off on Friday, April 21 at Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport.
Toronto Community Housing (TCHC)'s Midnight Basketball League (MBL) is one of its flagship programs made possible through partnership with MLSE Foundation, as well as with support from the University of Toronto Varsity Blues.
Friday's season opener featured dinner for youth, skills development drills and special guest speakers including Toronto Raptors assistant coach and former NBA all-star Jamaal Magloire and Madhav Trivedi, head coach of the Varsity Blues men's basketball team.
"The Toronto Community Housing's Midnight Basketball League has been hosted at the University of Toronto since 2016, and we are thrilled to renew our collaboration as they reintroduce the program in 2022," said Beth Ali, executive director of athletics and physical activity at U of T. "Our sports and recreation programs, facilities and services on campus are founded on the core principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. The league offers an environment where young people in our community can develop in a comprehensive manner, experience a sense of inclusion, and explore diverse and distinct avenues for personal growth and education."
Founded by TCHC in 2013, MBL is a unique basketball program that provides a positive space for boys aged 14 to 18 who live in TCHC communities to develop their skills both on and off the court.
Now in its ninth season, the 2023 program will run in the spring and summer, bringing together youth from across the city on Friday nights for physical and personal development.
Each week, youth will be driven from their communities to the University of Toronto's Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport where they will take part in games and skills training. All players will participate in team-building exercises and learn the fundamentals of the game such as dribbling, passing and shooting throughout the season. They will also share in workshops to learn life skills: financial literacy, decision-making, conflict resolution and leadership.
Last season, the program reached over 120 young men and boys from across 12 TCHC communities as teams competed in the Midnight Basketball Championship tournament. Youth also heard from a roster of special guest speakers and mentors, all helping to guide players on and off the court. The 2023 MBL program will feature awards, giveaways and even more guest speakers.
"I would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to MLSE Foundation and the University of Toronto for their continued support in delivering Midnight Basketball League to our young leaders," said Jag Sharma, president and CEO of Toronto Community Housing. "The program is a testament to the meaningful difference that committed partners can make when they come together to make inspiring, self-actualizing opportunities accessible to our young people. Together, we are building a platform that talented young people can launch themselves from, reaching for exciting new opportunities and meeting their potential as the next generation."