Westwood High School is launching a new national basketball program for young athletes.

Westwood teacher and coach, Josh Owens is partnering with the Alberta Basketball Association to bring the Canada Basketball Academy to the school.

The academy is designed to help players of all levels reach their potential as athletes and perhaps even earn a spot on the 2024 Team Alberta roster.

Coach Owens says he noticed a growing interest in the sport among students at the school, which has sparked his passion to seek out new opportunities to nurture their potential.

“We typically see a high interest in enrolling in our basketball options, and basketball tryouts always have a high turnout,” says Owens.

“This program is an excellent opportunity for Fort McMurray basketball players who want to take their games to the next level and learn skills, concepts, and a style of play that Canadian and Alberta Basketball evaluators will emphasize.”

Students can attend on-court training sessions with top post-secondary clubs while receiving high-quality education to help them hone their skills.

Westwood’s Vice-Principal and Senior-High Girls Coach, Brendan Toner, emphasizes the program’s significant impact on Westwood’s students.

“This is a real opportunity for local kids to learn national-level basketball curriculum,” says Toner.

“We hope this opens doors for local kids to get their foot in the door for provincial basketball opportunities.”

The Canadian Basketball Academy was established in 2010 with the goal of offering instruction to players of all ages and skill levels.