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    Ontario Basketball and AAU announce 4-year deal

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    Ontario Basketball and AAU announce 4-year deal Empty Ontario Basketball and AAU announce 4-year deal

    Post by HooptownGTA Fri Jul 06, 2012 8:43 am

    From Ontario Basketball
    http://www.basketball.on.ca/site/index.cfm?DSP=Section&ID=101&ACT=Display&NewsID=2119

    07/04/2012

    ONTARIO BASKETBALL AND AAU ANNOUNCE FOUR-YEAR DEAL

    Ontario Basketball (OBA) announced Thursday a four-year partnership with the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States (AAU). The popular U.S. based sporting body will become an official partner in the development of basketball within Ontario, while OBA will be given official sanctioning status throughout the province.

    “The AAU represents a quality exposure opportunity for our deep basketball talent. OBA is thrilled to begin this terrific partnership,” said Ken Urbach, president, Ontario Basketball. “A recent study suggests that many of our member clubs and athletes participate in AAU events for increased programming and competition throughout the summer. This AAU partnership will ensure our athletes are receiving the appropriate development opportunities in Canadian Sport for Life stages, alignment with the Canada Basketball national program pathway, in addition to NCAA and CIS recruitment education.”

    The partnership has four key areas of collaboration: Ontario Cup provincial championships, Team Ontario, OBA member club administration and domestic AAU tournament hosting.

    “We are excited and overjoyed that the athletes of Ontario will be given opportunities to participate in AAU events,” said James Parker, AAU Director of Operations. “It is our vision and goal to not only have Ontario athletes come to the United States to compete in our events but for us to host events in Ontario as well.”
    Starting in the 2012-13 OBA season, winners of Division 1 for Ontario Cup Provincial Club Championships in the Under 13-17 boys and girls categories, will be given direct qualification to the AAU National Championships. Ontario Basketball will cover the cost of team and participant registration.

    Team Ontario, the pinnacle of provincial basketball at the Under 15 and Under 17 boys and girls categories, will participate annually in the invitation-only AAU Super Showcase, in addition to other AAU events in the United States as part of its training regime in advance of the Canada Basketball National Championships.

    As the partnership develops, AAU will utilize OBA to welcome Ontario clubs to participate in American tournaments. In future years, AAU will direct all teams from Ontario to utilize OBA for sanctioning. Member clubs will also have the option to enhance its OBA insurance benefits to provide coverage south of the border and take advantage of travel and accommodations group discounts.

    With the rapid growth of sport tourism in Ontario, AAU will be strategizing with OBA on a sustainable business model in order to host AAU quality events in the province. With a large population in surrounding border states, an OBA hosted AAU tournament series will not only provide added exposure for Ontario athletes, but also increase the notoriety of Ontario university and college programs.

    “This wonderful initiative is part of a strategic effort to enhance the OBA club experience and most importantly, provide further education to the thousands of parents and athletes who put their trust in us as the governing body,” said Michael T. Cvitkovic, executive director, Ontario Basketball. “As we strengthen and protect our loyal member clubs, this partnership will reward those clubs who develop and train our coaches and athletes, and not just attempt to recruit. We need to ensure our stakeholders better understand the benefits and regulations for NCAA, CIS and AAU opportunities. While we have much work to do, this new AAU partnership brings tremendous added value to our members. OBA looks forward to a growing relationship with the AAU.”

    The partnership begins with Team Ontario Under 15 boys provincial teams participating in the AAU Super Showcase later this month at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

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