The South Cariboo has a new basketball team. Meet the Wolves.
This September, the newly founded South Cariboo Basketball Association launched its pilot basketball program. Twice a week the association’s coaches and players meet up to practice.
Andrew Steeves, co-founder and vice-president of the association, said their goal is simply to promote the game within the community.
“This will give us more opportunity, outside of the high school season, to do some fall and spring programming for youth in the community,” Steeves said. “We have our insurance through B.C. Basketball so now we’re allowed to run practices and play games under the SCBA Wolves title.”
The association was formed in April by Steeves along with Willy Hollet and TJ Grabowiecki, who are all members of Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School’s coaching staff. They chose the name Wolves so there was no confusion between their community and the high school Eagles basketball team. The high school basketball season runs from the middle of November to the end of March.
Hollet, the association president, said they started with their high school boys players and sent out invitations to other youth with an interest in basketball. In the coming weeks, he’s planning to invite the girls out, as well, to make sure they get the same chance to grow.
“Our ultimate goal is to have opportunities for all ages and genders. That’s skill building, team building and personal development for all age groups down the road,” Hollet said. “Whoever wants to play will be welcome.”
While they’re primarily still offering programming for boys and girls at the high school level, Steeves and Hollet would like to expand their programming to elementary-aged kids. Their ultimate dream is to have a robust basketball program for all ages and teams, traveling to play other teams around B.C.
“We have played some games already in September. We played four games; two with our U15 group and two with our U17 group, against the Williams Lake Basketball Association,” Steves said. “We have a great group of kids out here who are really eager to play basketball and eager to get better. That’s really all we can ask for as volunteer coaches, a group of kids who really have the same passion for basketball we do.”
Ahmed Omer and Leo Kozier have been playing basketball together at PSO for the last three years. They both jumped at the chance to join.
“The kids who want to play sports only find hockey or soccer around here and it’s really good we have basketball here now, too,” Omer said. “I’d like us to have more kids, competitive games and tournaments one day, for sure.”
The association has 20 players so far. Grabowiecki would like to see that grow to 100.
“I know from speaking to PSO there’s a large group of Grade 8s who want to play. The more people we can get to play, the better,” Grabowiecki said.
Right now Hollet said the main issue they’re facing is gym availability. There are several different groups competing for time at PSO’s gymnasium and most elementary school basketball courts are too small.
Thankfully, the association has been able to secure gym time at the old Buffalo Creek Elementary School.
Steeves, Hollet and Grabowiecki all praised the District of 100 Mile House’s recent move to install an outdoor basketball court in Centennial Park, noting several of their players make use of it. They would all like to see a community sports facility with an indoor basketball court built in the future.
“I think it’s time to start talking about a recreation centre again. I think that’s something that is severely lacking for the community, especially for the youth who want to be active,” Steeves said. “It’s great we have a lot of school sports going on, but a recreation centre would give kids an outlet outside of school. I think that would benefit us in the long term.”
Kozier said the new outdoor court is an improvement but an indoor facility that could accommodate pickleball, volleyball, basketball and other sports would be great.
“If we could get the District of 100 Mile to come up with a building that could accommodate everyone that could be a really positive improvement for all athletes in the area,” he said.
Hollet said he hopes in five years to see a couple of competitive teams playing other clubs in and around the South Cariboo. He’d also like to offer training for referees.
“As we progress we’ll have more opportunities for people. When I look back at my own youth and my kids now, opportunities and a variety of them, to me, is the most important thing.”
To help build the association, Steeves said they’re always looking for new coaches and volunteers. Anyone looking to join is invited to reach out to them at directors.scba@gmail.com.
