Ontario Basketball to receive funding from Ontario Sport Hosting Program for 2020 15U & 17U Men’s National Championships

Whitby, ON – February 5, 2020

Ontario Basketball (OBA) is pleased to be announced as one of eleven recipients of funding from the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism & Culture Industries’ Ontario Sport Hosting Program in 2020. This funding will support Ontario Basketball as hosts of the 2020 15U & 17U Men’s National Championships at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON.

Kingston will host approximately 20 provincial and territorial basketball teams from August 2nd to 9th as part of the 2020 15U & 17U Men’s National Championships. This event is held annually in a joint event partnership with Canada Basketball and the host provincial sport organization. Ontario was last chosen to host this event in 2010, when the event was hosted at Humber College.

“We are honoured to be receiving financial support from the Ontario Sport Hosting Program as we get set to host Nationals,” said Jason Jansson, Executive Director of Ontario Basketball. “This tournament is a great opportunity for Ontario athletes, coaches and officials to compete on home court, and especially in front of their friends, family and supporters. We are extremely grateful to the Ministry of Heritage, Tourism, Sport & Culture Industries and their continued support of Ontario Basketball.”

The Sport Hosting Program provides financial assistance to organizations hosting national and international sporting events in Ontario. The purpose of this program is to provide athletes, coaches, and officials more opportunities to compete in their respective sport in their home province. The program also seeks to showcase Ontario to a national and international audience as an attractive host for future major sporting events.

“Ontario is open for business and open for athletes! We’re proud to support the Ontario Basketball Association through the Sport Hosting Program,” said Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. “The 2020 15U and 17U Men’s National Championships promises to be a world-class event, and will help generate economic activity for the local community and the province. I want to wish all the athletes well in their competition — you have made your communities proud!”

The funds awarded for this event to Ontario Basketball will be used towards: purchasing basketball equipment, which will be donated to local youth basketball clubs at the conclusion of the event; coaching professional development opportunities for both provincial coaches and the local community; and the commissioning of a Sport Tourism Economic Assessment Model (STEAM) report, in consultation with the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance. Each of these initiatives will ensure that the legacy of this event extends beyond the conclusion of the 2020 National Championships.

For more information, please contact:

Devin Gray
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Ontario Basketball