At a recent meeting, the Basketball Manitoba Board of Directors unanimously passed a motion to remove and prevent the use of the term "Midget" in all current and future programming in basketball province-wide. Working in consultation with the Little People of Manitoba organization and Sport Manitoba, the move was made to eliminate a term which is seen as derogatory in nature to many.
Up until about a decade ago, the Manitoba 15U Provincial Team program used the term as an age definition including at the Canada Basketball National Championships. Since then, some local leagues still use it, but moving forward, they will have to find a different term or use the actual age of the athletes involved.
Basketball Manitoba's President, Ross Wedlake commented, "It's time we move away as a sport from using a term that has a long negative history in society and ensures basketball is as welcoming and inclusive as possible."
The President of the Little People of Manitoba, Samantha Rayburn-Trubyk, offered her thanks to the Manitoba basketball community for taking this step and added, "to have your support and respect is truly unbelievable. For this, we are truly and forever grateful."
Up until about a decade ago, the Manitoba 15U Provincial Team program used the term as an age definition including at the Canada Basketball National Championships. Since then, some local leagues still use it, but moving forward, they will have to find a different term or use the actual age of the athletes involved.
Basketball Manitoba's President, Ross Wedlake commented, "It's time we move away as a sport from using a term that has a long negative history in society and ensures basketball is as welcoming and inclusive as possible."
The President of the Little People of Manitoba, Samantha Rayburn-Trubyk, offered her thanks to the Manitoba basketball community for taking this step and added, "to have your support and respect is truly unbelievable. For this, we are truly and forever grateful."