Canada Basketball & The ABA

[The Magician]

I can see where this relationship is going to go ...

CANADA BASKETBALL AND STEVE NASH UNVEIL NATIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007021606006

CANADA BASKETBALL AND STEVE NASH TO UNVEIL NATIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007021206006

CANADA BASKETBALL AND ABA STRIKE STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP
http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007022206001

In one of the latest ABA Press Releases ...

ABA News

ABA ALL ACCESS RADIO TO FEATURE READING PA AND CANADA
02-Mar-2007

Indianapolis, IN -- The American Basketball Association announced that the new Reading PA expansion team and the relationship with Basketball Canada will be the featured interviews on the show that airs each Saturday on www.abalive.com at 3 pm EST.

Kay Magee, the owner of the new Reading team, will discuss the many facets of putting together a brand new professional basketball team and how the city, media and fans have welcomed the team.

Fred Nykamp, Executive Director of Basketball Canada, will discuss the relationship between the ABA and Basketball Canada and talk about the many initiatives that the organization has taken.

It should be a great show and one that you won't want to miss.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The person who wrote the press release refers to Mr. Fred Nykamp, as Executive Director of Basketball Canada.

Hello ... Mr. Nykamp is Executive Director and C.E.O. of Canada Basketball !!!
http://www.basketball.ca/en/hm/inside.php?id=50

It's kind of like, saying, Mr. David Stern, is Commissioner of the National Association of Basketball ???

I have the utmost respect for Canadian Basketball ... And IMO, Canada would be better off establishing a nationwide basketball league/association of their own ... and asking the Northern ABA teams to come participate in that league. The US teams could reserve roster spots for Canadian nationals.

"Way to Go Joe!" :rolleyes:

[besl]

The person who wrote the press release refers to Mr. Fred Nykamp, as Executive Director of Basketball Canada.

Hello ... Mr. Nykamp is Executive Director and C.E.O. of Canada Basketball !!!
http://www.basketball.ca/en/hm/inside.php?id=50

It's kind of like, saying, Mr. David Stern, is Commissioner of the National Association of Basketball ???


In all fairness, I've heard it referred to in Canada as both Basketball Canada and Canada Basketball. A quick google search returns 17,000 results for Basketball Canada and 95,000 for Canada Basketball, so I think you can get away with reserving the words.

For what it's worth, the governing body for hockey in Canada refers to itself as Hockey Canada.

[Pounder]

In most countries, the league does not run the sport, the national governing body does. Good resource to read on how this came about (even if focused on baseball and soccer): National Pastime by Szymanski and Zimbalist.

Of course, it was easy to notice how that was written. "Hey, MVP has a partnership with Basketball Canada. We have an agreement with Basketball Canada. Wink! Nudge!" NOT!

[The Magician]

... Fred Nykamp, Executive Director of Basketball Canada, will discuss the relationship between the ABA and Basketball Canada and talk about the many initiatives that the organization has taken.

What happened to the discussion with Mr. Fred Nykamp of Canada Basketball on ABA All Access Radio?

[The Magician]

Still waiting to hear something ...

[The Magician]

No current news from the Canadian ABA teams ...

Canada Basketball News:

04/23/07 - CANADA BASKETBALL ANNOUNCES NATIONAL ELITE DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY
http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007042306002

05/04/07 - CANADA BASKETBALL HIRES NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007050406001

[The Magician]

Canada Basketball CEO Fred Nykamp resigns

http://www.usbasket.com/CAN/CAN.asp

by Garo Salibian - May 25, 2007

Canada Basketball Executive Director and CEO, Fred Nykamp has officially announced he is leaving the organization "to pursue a new opportunity". Nykamp is leaving his position after three years at that post.

Canada Basketball Executive Director and CEO, Fred Nykamp has officially announced he is leaving the organization "to pursue a new opportunity". Nykamp is leaving his position after three years at that post. During his tenure with Canada Basketball, Nykamp launched many new programs and initiatives, most notably the BeOne initiative, the National Elite Development Academy (NEDA) for top 16-17 year players, and introduced Steve Nash Youth Basketball, a first ever national community based program for 5-13 year olds. He has also spearheaded Canada's move towards a set of common playing rules across the country applying FIBA international rules.

Canada Basketball President and Chair, Dr. Robert Gordon thanked Nykamp saying. “We sincerely would like to thank Fred for all of his hard work and progress that the organization was able to make under his management. A great amount was accomplished in moving Canada Basketball towards achieving its long-term vision.”

Now that Mr. Nykamp has resigned, I'm not positive we will see a strategic relationship between Canada Basketball and the ABA?

And it will be very interesting to hear on ABA All Access this Saturday, what Paul Riley, ABA VP of Business Development and VP of ABA Media has to say about what's happening with the ABA in Canada ...

http://abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007052406002

[The Magician]

Canada joins the world; FIBA rules holding firm in Canadian basketball

http://www.usbasket.com/CAN/CAN.asp

by Garo Salibian - May 25, 2007

Canada has, for all practical means and purposes, left the USA camp and has joined the world in applying the international basketball rules of FIBA. Canadian Press reports that Manitoba's high school and minor basketball programs are the latest to go "global".

Canada has, for all practical means and purposes, left the USA camp and has joined the world in applying the international basketball rules of FIBA. Canadian Press reports that Manitoba's high school and minor basketball programs are the latest to go "global". Basketball Manitoba, the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association and the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association announced they were adopting FIBA rules of play. They join a growing list of Canadian organizations that have switched over as part of a Canada Basketball initiative to establish a common set of rules."These new rules will help the game grow and increase the development of everyone involved in the sport," Fred Nykamp, Canada Basketball's executive director and CEO, said in a release, prior to his resignaton from the organization.

FIBA rules are the only set of basketball rules played outside of North America and the rule set used at all international competitions. The rules include playing four 10-minute quarters, a 24-second shot clock, and an eight-second rule to advance the ball to the front court. Canadian Interuniversity Sport's men's teams will start playing by FIBA rules in the 2007-08 season, while CIS women's basketball and Canada's college system - the Canadian College Athletic Association (CCAA) - adopted FIBA rules this past September. Several provincial high school associations already play by FIBA rules, including Yukon, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Alberta. Prince Edward Island is expected to move to full FIBA rules beginning in the 2007-08 season.

Very Interesting ...

[The Magician]

with the Canadian ABA teams?

And I'm not talking about Halifax ...

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

The ABA still lists Basketball Canada as a sponsor. The press release:
http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007022206001

CANADA BASKETBALL AND ABA STRIKE STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP

22-Feb-2007
Toronto, Ontario -- Canada Basketball and the American Basketball Association announced a partnership aimed to strengthen the sport in Canada. As part of the agreement, the ABA has committed to having local representation involved in all Canadian ABA teams. As well, the ABA head office and all Canadian teams will also be a part of Canada's national basketball program, "Be One."

"The goal of Canada Basketball is to unify the Canadian Basketball community and we see this helping achieve that goal," stated Canada Basketball Executive Director and CEO Fred Nykamp. "We have a shared passion for the game and this partnership ensures that Canadian players will have a domestic option to play after the college or university level. As well, the ABA will provide coaches and officials an opportunity to further be involved in the game at an elite level."

"The ABA is extremely excited to be working closely with Canada Basketball," stated Joe Newman, ABA CEO. "We are planning major expansions in Canada and getting involved with Canada Basketball, representing Canada's national basketball interests was a natural fit for us. Their "Be One" program, vision, and strategy to take the sport of basketball to a whole new level in Canada, is truly outstanding and we are very proud to be associated with them. They are distinguishing themselves on the professional and world basketball stage."

Canada is currently home to two ABA teams, the Montreal Matrix and the Quebec City Kebs. Additional teams are anticipated for Halifax, Edmonton and Missessagua next season. The City of Halifax also played host to the 2007 ABA All-Star Weekend January 26-28.

"As a former Canadian University player, I feel like it's a great opportunity to play in the ABA in Canada," commented Dominique Soucy, a member of the Quebec City Kebs. "It offered me a chance to expand my game and to play against great competition after university. Having the ABA in Canada will help us as a country enlarge the pro athlete pool available to represent Canada in future international play, and therefore help us get better results. It will also have a great impact on future players as they will be able to see more and more quality basketball and know they have opportunities to play."

Canada Basketball is a private, not-for-profit corporation that is committed to the growth of the sport in Canada. Just as important, Canada Basketball is focused on the development and preparation of Canada's national teams for the Olympic, Pan American and FISU Games as well as the World Championships. The aspiration of Canada Basketball is to instill the pride, commitment, passion and respect that Canadians personify into the development of basketball across the country and internationally.

For more information, email Mark Dottori at mdottori@basketball.ca or visit www.basketball.ca.

From the Canada Basketball website, a list of their sponsors and partners. Guess who is conspicuous by their absence????
http://www.basketball.ca/en/hm/inside.php?id=52
Our Sponsors & Partners
Official Sponsors

Nike Canada's loyalty and dedication has been a key ingredient to the development of basketball in Canada.

Nike Canada proudly supports Canada Basketball through its sponsorship of our Men's and Women's National Teams. Nike Canada also holds title sponsorship of both the Centres for/de Performance program and All-Canada Camps.
Nike Canada

Molten International, the official ball supplier of FIBA, provides the basketballs used at the highest level of international play. Now as the official ball of Canada Basketball, Molten balls will also be used by national team athletes in all competitions and practices, allowing them to become familiar with the ball used at all major international tournaments. Molten will also be producing a signature ball, specially designed for Canada Basketball.
Molten USA

Official Partners

NBA Canada's partnership has been instrumental to the ongoing success of Canada Basketball. The partnership between Canada Basketball and NBA Canada has contributed to the success and growth of grassroots programming across Canada.
NBA Canada

The Toronto Raptors partnership with Canada Basketball has been instrumental to our success. The growth and popularity of basketball in Canada has been significantly enhanced because of the presence of the Raptors.
Toronto Raptors

As the governing body for university sport in Canada, Canada Basketball is
pleased to have a strong partnership with the CIS. With many of our National Team athletes competing at the CIS level and at the Summer Universiade/World University Games, Canada Basketball's strong partnership with the CIS is an important element in the development of our athletes.
CIS

As an Official Training Centre of Canada Basketball, Humber College is a valued partner of Canada Basketball. Through their provision of a quality training facility with tremendous support staff, Humber College allows are athletes to be at their best prior to competition.
Humber College

Joe probably effed this one up, too.

[Minor League Man]

Ya know, I always wondered:

"Why does the ABA brag about their relationship with Canada Basketball when only three of their teams are Canadian?"