(April 14, 2020) – Canada Basketball and Basketball Manitoba announced today that the 2020 Canada Basketball 15U/17U Men’s & Women’s National Championships, scheduled for August 2-9, 2020, have been officially cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. With this cancellation of the National Championships, the ongoing border and school closures among many other factors, Basketball Manitoba has officially cancelled the 2020 Manitoba Provincial Team Program.
Given the current situation, Canada Basketball, in consultation with the National Championships Committee, which is made up of PTSO members, local hosts and partners, reached a unanimous decision to cancel this summer’s championships.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, we have made the difficult, yet necessary, decision to cancel this summer’s national championships to ensure the safety of all involved and our communities,” said Glen Grunwald, President & CEO of Canada Basketball. “On behalf of Canada Basketball, I would like to extend thanks to our Provincial/Territorial Sport Organizations, the host committees and volunteers for all the work done to date on these events.”
The health and safety of all athletes, coaches, officials, support staff, volunteers and spectators are of primary importance and were a driving factor behind making this difficult decision. In addition, logistical concerns, team selection timelines, venue availability, adequate training opportunities and travel/accommodation bookings were also factors that were considered.
Basketball Manitoba Executive Director commented, "The unfolding health concerns across Canada are the top priority for the community to address and as difficult as this decision was to make, we feel it is the right one and support Canada Basketball and the site hosts in Ontario and PEI in making it. So much goes into identifying athletes and preparing the teams to be ready for the National Championships that with closed borders and schools, the outcome was inevitable and one that needed to be made."
Kingston, Ontario and Ontario Basketball were scheduled to host the 2020 Canada Basketball 15U/17U Men’s National Championship.
“This is a difficult decision but one made for the health and safety of our players, coaches, officials and fans as well as the country,” said Jason Jansson, Executive Director of Ontario Basketball. “We are looking forward to the 2021 Canada Summer Games in the Niagara region and bringing the basketball community together again.”
On the women’s side, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and Basketball PEI were to host the 2020 Canada Basketball 15U/17U Women’s National Championship and next summer will host the 2021 Canada Basketball 15U Men’s & Women’s National Championships.
“While we are disappointed to not be hosting the National Championships this summer, we are in full support of the decision,” said Josh Whitty, Executive Director of Basketball PEI. “We look forward to hosting the U15 National Championships in 2021 and returning to the court as soon as we’re able to safely do so.”
Dates for both the 2021 Canada Basketball 15U Men’s & Women’s National Championships will be announced later this year.
Next summer, the 17U Men’s and Women’s National Championships will be held as part of the Niagara 2021 Canada Summer Games.
Quebec swept all four competitions last summer, winning the 2019 Canada Basketball 15U/17U Men’s & Women’s National Championships in Fredericton and Victoria.
Developments in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continue to change regularly and Canada Basketball will remain in contact with and follow the directions of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure we are aware of, and aligned with, appropriate recommendations and requirements.
Canada Basketball and Basketball Manitoba continue to encourage everyone to practice physical distancing to limit public interactions and do our collective part in slowing the impending spread of the virus and flatten the curve. Recommendations for protecting yourself and preventing the spread of this illness also include frequent hand washing and covering both your nose and mouth when coughing.
Source: http://www.basketball.ca