TRYOUTS THIS WEEKEND: Basketball Manitoba is excited to announce expansion of programming for the female Center for Performance program. The 2015-16 season will have both a 17U and a 15U competitive program. The 17U program is for females born 1999 and 2000, while the 15U program is for females born 2001, 2002, and 2003. Tryouts for both programs will be August 15 and 16 at Balmoral Hall School. 

MALE CENTRE FOR PERFORMANCE TRYOUT DETAILS

Each program will focus on fundamental skills, team concepts, and athletic development while improving through competition. The programs will train 2-3 times per week and compete in local leagues and tournaments as well as competitions in the United States and other provinces. Both age groups will be supported by Canada Basketball and include special development weekends working with the National Team coaching staff. Basketball Manitoba High Performance Coach Randy Kusano will lead both groups along with a coaching staff of top provincial team and high school coaches.   A pause in regular programming for the school basketball season will allow athletes to fully commit to their school programs.

They will train and play approximately three to four times per week from September to early December and from late March to late May.  The focus of the program is to develop fundamental skills, athletic ability, universal concepts, and the Canadian Women’s National team style of play in both practice and competition.  The 15U group will compete in the new MBL (Manitoba Basketball League, age advanced), while the 17U group will compete in senior league competition.


This year's program will receive a revised speed and strength training will be provided by McDole's Gym and the Strength and Conditioning department of the Sport for Life Center.  The new model will involve personalized programs and more gym dates to accommodate the athletes schedules.  Athletes will also participate in special training sessions with guest coaches and instructors over the course of the program.

A $25 tryout fee will be collected at the first session.  Athletes selected to the program will start training early September.





The total program will include...

  • Two to three regular on-court training sessions during fall and spring sessions
  • Yearly personalized strength and conditioning program and gym access
  • Sport Science sessions 
  • Special guest coach sessions
  • All tournament and league entry fees
  • Russell Athletics Gear Package 
  • Full accident and liability insurance coverage
Tryout Notes
  • $25.00 tryout fee (cash or cheque payable to Basketball Manitoba) due at the first tryout.
  • All players are to complete the proper tryout form - CP Tryout Form either in advance or on-site at the first session.
  • Show up at least 20 minutes before the first session to register.
  • No preregistration required
  • Basketballs will be provided at all sessions.
  • Players are to come dressed ready to play.
  • Athletes are expected to be ready to attend both try-out dates as selections and cuts will be made after the first try-out and continue on to the second try-out.
For any questions or further information on the the Center For Performance programs please contact Dan Becker at dan@basketballmanitoba.ca or 204-925-5908.


2015 FEMALE CENTRE FOR PERFORMANCE TRYOUT SCHEDULE
AT BALMORAL HALL SCHOOL
DATEAGE GROUPTIME
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15
SESSION # 115U (born 2001, 2002, 2003)10:00am - 1:00pm
BREAK1:00pm - 2:00pm
SESSION # 217U (born 1999 & 2000)2:00pm - 5:00pm
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
SESSION # 315U (born 2001, 2002, 2003)10:00am - 1:00pm
BREAK1:00pm - 2:00pm
SESSION # 417U (born 1999 & 2000)2:00pm - 5:00pm






COACH BIOGRAPHY



Randy Kusano

Randy Kusano was the winningest coach in the history of high school basketball in Manitoba. His high school teams won three MHSAA (Manitoba High School Athletic Association) AAAA Provincial Championships provincial titles, 11 conference titles and he coached in 15 AAAA Final Fours in his 34 years coaching with the Oak Park Raiders in Winnipeg before retiring from teaching in 2010. A University of Manitoba graduate, Kusano is a current fully certified NCCP Level 3 coach with nearly 25 years of CIS coaching experience as an assistant with the Bison men’s and women's basketball program.

Randy has been involved in basketball as a player and coach for over forty years. He developed his love for basketball at Norberry Junior High in St. Vital playing for Hall of Famer, Dennis Alvestad. He moved on to Glenlawn Collegiate and finally to the University of Manitoba.  Randy was a member of three consecutive Canadian Junior Men’s championship teams from 1971-1973. In 1976 he was a member of the first Manitoba team to win a National University championship in basketball, the University of Manitoba Bisons.

After his university years were done he continued playing with the Nicolett Inn Senior men’s team that captured their first National Senior Men’s Championship in 1979. The University of Manitoba Junior Men and Nicolett Inn Senior men’s teams were later inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame.

Randy’s coaching career began with the University of Manitoba Junior Bisons in 1974 and continued there until 1976. He has coached high school basketball for the past thirty-four years, thirty two as head coach of the Varsity Boys program at Oak Park High School.

Over his 34 years at Oak Park, Randy developed the dominate high school program of it’s era, going to 15 Final Fours and winning 3 AAAA Provincial Championships. During this time he has helped to develop more than twenty five players who have gone on to play at the Canadian College or CIS level. Randy has also served as an assistant coach at the University of Manitoba for fifteen years.

Randy has also coached numerous Manitoba Provincial teams as head coach and as an assistant coach at the Canada Games, Western Canada Games, and National Championships.


For more information, go to...



Centre for Performance Program


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