If you or someone you know is interested in any of these listed coaching opportunities, please contact the person directly by email, as noted in the post. #mbhoops
Basketball Manitoba is pleased to announce its Wheelchair Basketball Schools Program for the 2026-27 school year, following the integration of Basketball Manitoba and Wheelchair Basketball operations.
The program is a school-based experience designed to raise awareness, build understanding, and generate excitement for wheelchair basketball across Manitoba. The program provides students with a meaningful, hands-on introduction to the sport while reinforcing inclusion, teamwork, coordination, and sportsmanship.
Participating schools host a wheelchair basketball experience delivered during regular physical education classes or designated lunch periods. Basketball Manitoba supplies and delivers all required equipment, including sport wheelchairs, ensuring the program is fully accessible and delivered to a high standard with minimal logistical burden on schools.
The program is supported and launched by Joey Johnson, who plays a key role in introducing the sport to students and staff.
About Joey Johnson
Joey Johnson (pictured above, centre) is one of the most accomplished wheelchair basketball athletes in the world and a proud Manitoba product. A graduate of Lorette Collegiate, Joey was diagnosed at age eight with a degenerative hip disease that prevented him from participating in able-bodied sports. That challenge opened the door to wheelchair basketball, where he went on to build an elite international career.
Joey attended the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, earning All-American honours and leading his team to three National Championships in the late 1990s. Internationally, he represented Canada at five Paralympic Games, winning Gold Medals in 2000, 2004, and 2012, along with a Silver Medal in 2008. He also captured Gold at the 2006 World Championships and the 1997 Junior World Championships.
At the provincial level, Joey represented Manitoba at the club and provincial team levels for 19 consecutive years. Professionally, he competed in Australia and across Europe, winning numerous international titles and serving as both a player and player-coach.
In recognition of his impact on the sport, Joey has been inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame (2013), the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame (2016), and the Canada Basketball Hall of Fame (2023). He continues to be a powerful role model and advocate for inclusive sport and athlete development. Learn more about Joey on the Basketball Manitoiba Podcast...
Program Logistics and Pricing
Program length options:
Single-day delivery
Full five-day school week
Cost: Includes delivery and use of all sport wheelchairs
1 day: $300 per day - $300 total
2 days: $250 per day - $500 total
3 days: $200 per day - $600 total
4 days: $150 per day - $600 total
5 or more days: $100 per day
Optional Basketball Manitoba coach instruction: $50 per hour
Bookings outside Winnipeg: $0.50 per kilometre for travel beyond the Perimeter Highway
Equipment:
All sport wheelchairs are provided by Basketball Manitoba
Basketballs and basic court equipment included
Scheduling:
Delivered during Phys Ed classes and/or lunch periods
Flexible scheduling to align with school timetables
This opportunity is available throughout the school year
Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Space requirements:
Standard school gymnasium
No permanent modifications required
Supervision:
Basketball Manitoba staff lead instruction (optional)
Teachers remain present for class supervision
Video overview
An introductory video is embedded with this program page and provides an overview of wheelchair basketball and how the program operates in schools. The video explains:
How wheelchair basketball compares to stand-up basketball
Key differences between sport wheelchairs and everyday wheelchairs
Why wheel camber, stability wheels, and chair design matter
How the sport emphasizes agility, speed, balance, and teamwork
What students can expect during a typical school session
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1. Do students need any prior basketball experience?
No. The program is designed for all skill levels and focuses on participation, learning, and fun.
2. Do students need to have a disability to participate?
No. The program is inclusive and designed for all students.
3. How many students can participate at one time?
Class sizes are flexible and can be adapted to standard Phys Ed class numbers.
4. Is the program safe for students?
Yes. Activities are age-appropriate and delivered using sport-specific wheelchairs designed for stability and safety.
5. What does the school need to provide?
A gym space and regular class supervision. All equipment is supplied by Basketball Manitoba.
6. Is the program curriculum-friendly?
Yes. It aligns well with Physical Education outcomes related to movement skills, teamwork, and inclusion.
7. How long is each session?
Session length is flexible and typically aligns with standard class or lunch periods.
8. Is there a minimum or maximum booking requirement?
Schools may book the program for one or more days. Reduced daily rates are available for multi-day bookings, with the lowest daily rate applying to bookings of five days or longer.
9. Can this program support school inclusion or accessibility initiatives?
Yes, the program is a strong fit for inclusion, accessibility, and diversity-focused programming.
For bookings, questions, or scheduling, please contact:
Basketball Manitoba has released an updated edition of its Manitoba Basketball Post-Secondary Resource Guide, providing student-athletes, parents and coaches with current information to help navigate the increasingly complex process of pursuing basketball opportunities at the university and college levels in Canada and the United States.
The updated guide reflects several significant eligibility, transfer, scholarship and recruiting changes introduced during 2025 and 2026. A new “Changes for 2026” section has been added near the beginning of the guide, while updated information has also been incorporated throughout the resource.
Among the most significant changes is the NCAA’s adoption of a new age-based five-year eligibility model for Divisions I and II. The five-year period generally begins with a student-athlete’s first full-time post-secondary enrolment or at the beginning of the regular academic year immediately following their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first. Transitional provisions apply during the 2026-27 academic year, with the new model applying exclusively to athletes first enrolling full-time in fall 2027 or later.
The guide also reflects the removal of SAT and ACT scores as NCAA Division I and II initial-eligibility requirements. Individual universities may still use standardized testing as part of their admissions processes or when determining academic scholarships.
Several important transfer changes are also highlighted. Beginning in 2026-27, qualifying U SPORTS student-athletes in their first or second academic year may transfer between U SPORTS institutions without serving the traditional 365-day competition penalty when the applicable requirements and deadlines are met. NCAA Division I men’s and women’s basketball have also moved to a 15-day transfer-notification window beginning the day following the respective NCAA championship, along with a separate transfer period associated with qualifying head-coaching changes.
The rapidly changing NCAA financial landscape is addressed as well. Following implementation of the House settlement, participating NCAA Division I institutions moved away from the previous sport-specific scholarship-limit system. Men’s and women’s basketball programs now operate with 15-player roster limits, with participating institutions permitted to provide athletic scholarships to any or all players on those rosters. The guide also includes updated information concerning NCAA amateurism, agents, professional drafts, NIL considerations and the additional immigration and financial considerations facing Canadian student-athletes competing in the United States.
Closer to home, the guide has been updated to reflect the evolving MCAC and CCAA basketball pathway in Manitoba. Red River College Polytechnic returns to MCAC basketball for the 2026-27 season, with Manitoba programs positioned to enter the CCAA national basketball championship pathway beginning with the 2027-28 season.
Beyond these changes, the Manitoba Basketball Post-Secondary Resource Guide provides extensive information on U SPORTS, Canada West, the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference, CCAA and NCAA opportunities. It includes Manitoba university and college basketball program information and contacts, eligibility and recruiting guidance, scholarships and financial aid, transfers, NCAA eligibility, campus visits, recruiting questions for athletes and parents, wheelchair basketball opportunities, academic preparation, mental health considerations, recruiting red flags and practical advice for communicating with post-secondary coaches.
Basketball Manitoba encourages high school student-athletes, parents, coaches and guidance counsellors to review the updated guide early in the post-secondary planning process. Eligibility and recruiting rules can change frequently, and individual circumstances can significantly affect an athlete’s status. Student-athletes should always confirm their individual eligibility with the athletics compliance office of any institution they are considering.
Basketball Manitoba is pleased to partner with Vertical Raise, revolutionizing fundraising with its cutting-edge online platform to help organizations maximize their fundraising efforts while minimizing time and energy spent. With expert fundraising coaches available to help facilitate the process and rapid 10–14-day fund delivery, Vertical Raise delivers the highest average donations compared to traditional methods. Their platform includes three great options: Straight donation, Digital discount card, and Gourmet popcorn. The digital discount card includes every Entertainment Book in North America and offers 750,000 discounts. Entertainment Book has been around for 65+ years and has the best discounts.
“By using the Vertical fundraising platform, the Manitoba Provincial Team was able to raise over $20,000 toward participant registration fees with very little effort. The process was straightforward, and the support provided made it easy to focus on promoting the initiative rather than worrying about logistics. What impressed us most was how much could be accomplished in such a short amount of time.” – Adam Wedlake, Basketball Manitoba
Whether your goal is to support basketball teams and programs at clubs, schools, or community centres, Vertical Raise simplifies the process. Participants can quickly sign up online, share their campaigns across digital platforms, and let the proprietary system handle the rest. From tracking progress through dashboards to fostering exponential annual growth, Vertical Raise takes the hassle out of fundraising.
Basketball Manitoba is pleased to offer a free-to-access coach education website dedicated to all Manitoba basketball coaches. Whether you are a first-year coach or a long-time veteran, you’ll be able to find some new content and ideas in this collection that will make your team and your own experience even better. This is your new starting portal for all your basketball coaching needs, viewable on both desktop and mobile devices.
Looking for an excellent gift for your basketball fan on your list? Give them the gift of a basketball specialty licence plate from your local MPI Autopac agent! To do this, you can contact any of the 300+ Manitoba Autopac agents and purchase a basketball plate for $70.00 so long as you, the person giving the gift, have an active qualifying policy with MPI. You can then give the new, unused basketball plates to your basketball fan along with written authorization as a gift to them to take the plates and a letter to their Autopac agent to add the new basketball plates to their own MPI policy.
Basketball Manitoba has announced a new province-wide initiative, Basketball For All, designed to strengthen community engagement and increase physical activity by providing free basketballs to high-need communities across Manitoba. The program will support schools, agencies, and community groups that work directly with youth who may not otherwise have access to sports equipment.
Basketball Manitoba is excited to unveil its latest collection of Under Armour gear and Fox40 resources, designed for players, coaches, referees and fans alike. Partnering with Under Armour, Fox40 and One Team Sports, you can elevate your style and performance with these must-have items:
Hoodies – Stay warm and stylish.
Long-Sleeve & Short-Sleeve T-Shirts – Perfect for practice or casual wear.
Shorts – Comfort and mobility on and off the court.
Polos – A polished look for any occasion.
Backpacks – Carry all your essentials in style.
Hats – Top off your look with branded headwear.
Fox40 Coach Dry-Ease Boards - Great for a coach to use on the sidelines
Fox40 Whistles - the world’s best whistle for referees and coaches.
FIBA Scoresheets - The official scoresheet used at all levels in Manitoba.
Basketball Manitoba is pleased to announce it has redeveloped its concussion awareness and education website to better share the important topic of preventing and treating a concussion sustained in the sport. The content has been updated and comes from a number of different sources including Parachute Canada, Sport Manitoba, Canada Basketball and the Sport Medicine & Science Council of Manitoba.
The site focusses on the 6 "R's" of dealing with a concussion...
Reduce
Recognize
Remove
Refer
Recover
Return
Since a concussion can be sustained at any time, it is strongly advised that ALL players, coaches, officials and parents review this information to be better prepared to reduce the overall number of concussions in basketball and the best way to return from one.
Basketball Manitoba is pleased to partner with Winnipeg's Got Sole, Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association, Basketballs for Inner City Kids, the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Commission (MASRC), the Boys and Girls Club of Winnipeg and KidSport to actively collect gently used basketball equipment for children in need. We are calling on the entire basketball community to donate basketballs and basketball shoes to the program so they can be 'rebounded' over to someone in need! You can donate your items to the program by dropping off your gently used basketballs or basketball shoes at one of the locations!
Three reasons why you should donate to the Basketball Equipment Recycling Program...
Help a child in need who wants to play basketball but cannot without the basic equipment
Reduce the amount of garbage heading to our landfills
De-clutter your basement of unneeded basketballs or basketball shoes
Donated items will be distributed at no end cost to those in need to...
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