The Great Canadian Shootout!

Happy Canada Day everyone! It’s a big year for our country because it’s not just Canada’s birthday – it’s Canada’s 150^th birthday. Celebrations will be held across the country tomorrow night and our government has ensured this year will be a party like no other with an unprecedented budget of 500 million dollars put towards the festivities. We at the Saville Community Sports Centre are celebrating Canada Day the only way we know how – with a giant basketball tournament! Starting today and running through till Sunday, we are hosting the Edmonton Grads Great Canadian Shootout. The Great Canadian Shootout will be one of the biggest tournaments we host this year and basketball just so happens to be a sport that was invented in Canada.

A Quick history

“The roots of basketball are firmly embedded in Canada. In 1891 the game was invented by Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian who hailed from Almonte, Ontario.

Having been given the task of creating a new indoor sports activity while conducting a physical education class at the international YMCA training school in Springfield, Massachusetts, Naismith designed what we now call basketball. The original game involved 13 rules and a peach basket hung ten feet above the floor. Even though it took place in the United States, at least ten of the players who participated in the first-ever game were university students from Quebec.” – NBA.com

Closer to Home

The organization hosting the Great Canadian Shootout this weekend (Edmonton Grads Basketball Centre) is still one of the most celebrated amateur teams in basketball history.

“One of the most storied amateur teams in Canadian basketball history is the Edmonton Commercial Graduates (Grad’s), a group of Canadian women who dominated the sport in the 1920s, 30s and 40s. Over 25 years, the Grad’s played 522 games at home and abroad, against both women’s and men’s teams. The Grad’s accomplished a record-breaking winning streak of 147 games and throughout their basketball tenure won a remarkable 502 times.” – NBA.com

The Great Canadian Shootout will see upwards of 2000 participants and spectators and has four division for all ages to participate:  U13- Born 2004 or later, Jr. High- Born 2002 or later, Sr. High- Born 2000 or later, Open- No restrictions.

Feel free to stop by the Saville Community Sports Centre this weekend and celebrate our beautiful country by watching a truly Canadian sport and some of the best amateur talent in Canada!