Greg Francis named Director of Sport Development for Ontario Basketball Association
Greg Francis, former national team player, Olympian and coach of several prominent Canadian university teams has been appointed the new Director of Sport Development for the Ontario Basketball Association. In his new role, he will provide leadership, strategic direction and support for all high performance programs, youth development and coach education training throughout Ontario.
“Ontario Basketball is extremely fortunate to attract someone of this caliber and experience,” Dave Stockton, OBA’s Executive Director said.
“When I was hired, the OBA Board of Directors was committed to finding and attracting people with the best background, credentials and skill set to take basketball to new levels of development & excellence in our province. In hiring Greg, I am respecting that commitment.”
“Greg brings us strong technical leadership having been involved with Canada Basketball as their Technical Director and Manager of Men’s High Performance. Having someone with Greg’s experience and credentials bodes well for the future of the OBA’s high performance programs as well as our youth development initiatives, coach education training and our commitment to support officiating development.”
“While he will focus on youth development & high performance programs, he will also look to improve the overall quality & delivery of basketball coaching, training and player development opportunities at all levels across the province,” Stockton said.
“I am so happy to be joining Ontario Basketball in this role. I like where OBA is taking basketball and I love the opportunity to work with people to help kids be their best. It’s more than just basketball. Its about putting the kids on the right pathway, supporting them to be good athletes, good students and eventually good adults.” Francis said.
Francis has served as head coach with the junior men’s national team from 2006-2011 and as an assistant with the senior men’s national team at a variety of events from 2005 to 2014. This includes capturing two FIBA U18 American Qualifier bronze (JMNT) medals in 2008 and 2010, qualifying for the Junior World Championships of Basketball.
The Toronto native is no stranger to the OUA and U SPORTS head coaching ranks having worked with 3 different Canadian Universities. Francis claimed the 2012 Canada West championship with the University of Alberta, going on to take home U SPORTS silver at that year’s national championship.
Francis competed as a member of Team Canada’s men’s basketball team at the 1998 FIBA World and 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. He is an NCCP Train to Compete certified coach and holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from Fairfield University and currently working on a Master of Sport Management from the University of Alberta.
The Ontario Basketball Association is the province-wide grouping of community basketball associations, leagues, teams, officials, coaches, and sponsors within the basketball community. Working with more than 14 governmental, private sector, institutional and not-for-profit organizations, OBA develops, promotes, supports, and facilitates the sport of basketball across Ontario through the provision of programs and services. It is Ontario’s representative to Canada Basketball, the national grouping of provincial basketball organizations across Canada and the co-coordinator of national basketball teams and programs.
For further information, contact:
Dave Stockton
Phone: 905-477-8075 x202
Email: dstockton@basketball.on.ca