Players in North Preston-based basketball program to compete in U.S.

On a regular day on the basketball court, Colter Simmonds usually coaches and mentors about 50 boys and girls. But these days, several familiar faces are missing.

Four of Simmonds's We Will Win Youth Association players are competing with Team Nova Scotia at the Canada Games in Winnipeg.

And this week, seven more of the WWWYA players will meet up with those teammates in San Diego, Calif., for a new tournament, the IndiHoops World Championship.

This is the second year for the IndiHoops tournament, to be held Aug. 3-5, and Simmonds's team will be the first Canadian one to compete. The tournament brings together players at the club level for an organized competition. 

"It's the beginning of what they want to grow into the 'little league of basketball,'" said Simmonds.

Tyrell Casimir has been in the North Preston-based WWWYA program for five years.

"I wish I was down there just to cheer my guys on, just make sure that they get the win, that they represent Canada to the fullest," said the 17-year-old.

'Like a family'

Each week, players between the ages of 10 and 18 from Bedford, North and East Preston, Uniacke Square and as far away as Shelburne take part in the program.

Simmonds says having players from different areas and socioeconomic backgrounds helps strengthen social ties and brings communities together.

"Society has created a lot of negativity between different communities. So to have a program that works to bring those kids together and preaches that we're a family no matter your skin colour or the place you're from, it gives us an opportunity to impact the future of society in a small way," said Simmonds. 

Lorin Tolliver started with WWWYA last year.

"We're really like a family," Tolliver said. "We make friends, we make very good relationships with the coaches. He helps us build our skills and he gets us to a different level that other coaches couldn't really get us to."

Shawn MacLeod and his son Nate come all the way from Timberlea for practices. 

"When you stay near home you get used to playing with one set of kids. Now we travel 40 kilometres for practice with a whole different group of kids and everyone has been great," Shawn MacLeod said.

Big names

Simmonds started this work in Nova Scotia 10 years ago. Today, the list of pro basketball players with roots in his program includes some big names in the sport.

Names like Daneesha Provo, Lindell Wigginton, Rodell Wigginton and Chris Johnson are on Simmonds's wall of fame.

Kids who have come through the program have gone on to become coaches at the NCAA and Canadian Interuniversity Sport levels, as well as professional players. Some are now teachers, said Simmonds, who was born and raised in North Preston.

Life lessons

Simmonds says playing basketball was instrumental in keeping him "off the street" in his younger years. The child of a single mother, Simmonds found mentors in his uncles who introduced him to the game. 

Now he sees a lot of himself in the kids he coaches.

"If it weren't for basketball, I probably would be contributing to a lot of things that I try to deviate kids away from in the community. It kept me out of trouble," said Simmonds. "No one understood me when I was that age, but I can understand these kids."

Simmonds says organized sport is invaluable for shaping young minds and attitudes.

"Sports is a great vehicle to teach. We want to give kids an avenue to grow and make something of their lives, hopefully giving some of that back when they're older."

The WWWYA program takes place both on and off the court, with one classroom session a week. Players learn about how to manage their anger, their finances and even their hygiene.

"Just being the best person that they can possibly be," said Simmonds.

Supported by fundraising

Simmonds would like to see the number of kids in the program double to 100.

Right now, the program is entirely supported by fundraising. The costs of travelling to tournaments are covered by holding charity barbecues, car washes and even comedy shows.

It costs about $2,000 per player for the WWWYA. Simmonds says he's seeking corporate sponsorship to help keep the program going for years to come.

As his teammates prepare to head to San Diego for the IndiHoops tournament, Casimir says he's already proud of them.

"We've been invited to this tournament, so it brings a sense of pride," he says. "A sense of, like, we've somewhat made it. We got a long way to go, but we're a long way from where we were."