TORONTO, ON (February 22, 2017) - Canada Basketball and the Steve Nash Youth Basketball (SNYB) program are happy to welcome Cape Breton University (CBU) to our basketball family. Earlier this month, CBU worked with Basketball Nova Scotia to become a SNYB host, providing the families and communities in Sydney, Nova Scotia with the opportunity to play high-quality youth grassroots basketball in an incredible facility.

"Basketball Nova Scotia is extremely excited to partner with the Cape Breton University Capers' men's varsity basketball program in bringing Steve Nash Youth Basketball to Cape Breton," said Ryan Dickison, Operations Manager for Basketball Nova Scotia. "Having an AUS/U Sports program on board that recognizes the importance of proper long-term athlete development and coach training in youth basketball programming will improve the quality and impact the overall growth of the game within that particular part of the province."

Ron Yeung, Canada Basketball's Manager of Domestic Development, added: "We are ecstatic to have Cape Breton University and their Men's basketball program join the SNYB family. The addition of such a quality basketball program is great to see and will do great things in helping to promote and grow youth basketball on the Atlantic Coast.  We can rest assured that the families in Sydney will be getting access to great programming and learn to play the right way."

Cape Breton is the latest Canadian post-secondary institution to endorse and host the Steve Nash Youth Basketball program, and this new addition to the SNYB family is in good hands. Coach David Petroziello has experience in running Canada Basketball's grassroots initiative, and will continue to deliver an age and stage appropriate curriculum.  CBU's MBB student-athletes, along with Athletic Director John Ryan, will provide additional support to the program.

"The Capers Men's Basketball program is thrilled to partner with Basketball Nova Scotia and Canada Basketball in bringing one of the best youth basketball development programs in the world here to Cape Breton," said Petroziello. "Giving our aspiring basketball players here in Cape Breton the chance to work with a top notch curriculum as well as trained coaches and instructors will not only help grow the game at a youth and grassroots level, but will do so while keeping the focus on having fun and enjoying a positive experience while playing basketball."

Based on the Canadian Sport for Life (CS4L) Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model, SNYB attempts to develop the complete individual first, before the complete athlete. It does so by focusing on life skills just as much as basketball skills. The program also ensures that all activities are age and stage appropriate to the athletes who are participating, helping to maximize participation and facilitate development.

The program also has a strong focus on Fundamental Movement Skills and Physical Literacy, two cornerstones of the LTAD model and Canada Basketball Philosophy. Developing athletes the right way through SNYB is the first step on the Canada Basketball pathway- it all starts with playing and learning the game at a fundamental level. A generation of youth athletes with strong fundamental skills will only strengthen future men's and women's high performance teams.

Grassroots basketball development in Canada is important for both the growth of the sport and the health and well-being of the nation. By incorporating physical literacy into the program, SNYB is moving one step closer to achieving the Canadian Sport for Life goal of having a country of physically literate individuals. The program is focused on providing youth athletes with the skills, knowledge, and tools, to become active for life.

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