- Sun Life and Canada Basketball to provide three $10,000 grants to local and regional youth organizations who are committed to making an impact through basketball.

- The partnership is part of the GLOBL JAM JUMPSTART LEGACY DAY at Regent Park Athletic Grounds on July 4.

- The event hosted fifty youth from the local community aged 9-12 to participate in a series of basketball-related activities.

TORONTO, Ont. (July 4, 2022) – To improve access to organized sports for communities and youth in financial need, Sun Life and Canada Basketball are teaming up to donate three $10,000 grants to local and regional organizations committed to growing the game of basketball.

The announcement was made as part of GLOBL JAM JUMPSTART LEGACY DAY at Regent Park Athletic Grounds. The event marks the official tip-off the inaugural GLOBL JAM, a week-long celebration of basketball in Toronto.

“Sun Life is proud to join the roster of organizations providing opportunities for youth to access the great sport of basketball,” said Chris Hewitt, Vice President and Canada Chief Marketing Officer, Sun Life. “Together, through the power of organized sports and community, we can help change the game and improve access to recreational programming for Canadian families.”

The selected recipients of the Sun Life grants are the Muslim Women’s Summer Basketball League (MWSBL), Pour 3 Points, and Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ontario.

Muslim Women’s Summer Basketball League (MWSBL)

Muslim Women’s Summer Basketball League is a Toronto-based not-for-profit league dedicated to uniting Muslim women and allies (age 13+) every summer through basketball.  The organization works to create an environment that not only values Muslim women athletes as they are in a space where they feel included and belonged, but also fosters a sisterhood, mentorship and inclusive community through basketball.

"We are pleased to have the continuous support of Canada Basketball with their donation of $10,000 in partnership with Sun Life to help us in our mission of uniting and empowering Muslim women through basketball. All of the funds will be allocated towards covering the league costs and funding a basketball clinic for young Muslim girls and allies that will be organized in the post-season. On behalf of our entire team, we would like to thank Canada Basketball and Sun Life for helping us foster a safe and inclusive community for Muslim women in Toronto to grow and develop their skills and love of the game." - Fitriya Mohammed, Founder, Muslim Women’s Summer Basketball League 

Pour 3 Points 

Pour 3 Points believes in social equality for youth from disadvantaged backgrounds in the Province of Quebec.  The organization is committed to developing and increasing the positive impact of sports coaches on young people in sports and in life. By training coaches, Pour 3 Points strengthens their role as leaders and mentors, creating an environment conducive to supporting the well-being and motivation of young people.

“Pour 3 Points, which means "going for 3", refers to the ambition of seeing all youth thrive and succeed. For 10 years, our organization has been training sports coaches so they can have a positive impact on at-risk youth. Our unique programs train coaches to become leaders and mentors in their community and nurture the potential of youth, on and off court. We are very grateful and honoured to have been selected as a recipient by Canada Basketball and Sun Life, and together contribute to a fairer society for all." - Fabrice Vil, Founder and Executive Director, Pour 3 Points 

Variety – The Children’s Charity of Ontario / Variety Village

Variety – The Children’s Charity of Ontario / Variety Village provides programming that empowers children with disabilities to be seen, participate, and feel included. Variety brings accessible facilities to life with sports, fitness, activities, summer camps, skills training and coaching for competitive and Paralympic athletes.  For over 25 years, the organization has run an integrated wheelchair basketball team, which not only focuses on teaching athletes the skills necessary to play wheelchair basketball, but also competition opportunities by attending local and regional games.

“We are very excited to be partnering with Canada Basketball and Sun Life to support our youth wheelchair basketball team. Our athletes are true champions, and the support of these organizations will mean more athletes have opportunities to play the sport that they love.  We look forward to strengthening this partnership and supporting basketball for everyone.” - Karen Stintz, President/CEO, Variety – The Children’s Charity of Ontario / Variety Village

Set to take place in Toronto from July 5-10, GLOBL JAM will shine the international spotlight on the game’s rising stars and feature women’s and men’s teams from around the world competing in an Under-23 tournament live at Mattamy Athletic Centre, broadcast nationally on Sportsnet.

Session passes (2 games) are on sale now via Ticketmaster, starting at $42. Additional ticket information, along with schedule and volunteer opportunities can be found at globljam.ca. 

About Canada Basketball:

Canada Basketball is the National Sporting Organization for the sport of Basketball in Canada. Canada Basketball is respected worldwide and is recognized by the International Amateur Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Government of Canada as the sole governing body of the sport of amateur basketball in Canada. Canada Basketball, a not-for-profit organization, represents all basketball interests, provides leadership, coordination and direction in all areas of the sport of basketball.

Sun Life in the Community : 

Sun Life is committed to building sustainable, healthier communities for life. Community wellness is an important part of its sustainability commitment. By actively supporting the communities in which Sun Life lives and works, the organization can help build a positive environment for Clients, employees, advisors, and shareholders. Its philanthropic support focuses on health, with an emphasis on diabetes awareness, prevention, and care initiatives. Mental health is also a key priority, with support for programs and organizations with an emphasis on building resilience and coping skills. Sun Life also partners with sports properties in key markets to further its commitment to healthy and active living.