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Protect the nest: new Eagles girls basketball program planned for Yellowknife

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Team NWT's girls squad wrapped up their time at the Canada Basketball Girls 15U Nationals in Fredericton, N.B., on Aug. 10 with a loss to Prince Edward Island in the final game. The girls are, front row from left, Lily Casaway and Abby Newberry; middle row from left, Taya Straker, Lily Newberry, Tori Bayha, Mia McInnis, Alison Anstey, Jordan Muchenje, Kaitlynn Kenny, Mali Straker, Drew Wolfe and assistant coach Marry Enerio; back row from left, head coach Cole Marshall and assistant coach Benji Straker. photo courtesy of Basketball NWT

A new development program for young female basketball players will launch in Yellowknife this fall.

The Eagles Basketball Club combines the U19 Deton Cho Logistics Eagles Basketball Team with the U13 and U15 Yellowknife Diamonds Basketball Team together that will create a new and growing home for nearly 40 athletes, a news release issued Tuesday said.

It's about the future, according to U15 head coach Kierra Alty.

“Providing the younger players with the opportunity to see what comes next in basketball is one key way of keeping our girls engaged," Alty said.

The Diamonds junior high performance girls basketball team won the consolation title at the Wolves Junior High Basketball Tournament in Grande Prairie, Alta., in 2018. They are, front row from left, Payton Major, Jaci Dusome, Kaitlyn Kenny, Lily Newberry and Allison Anstey; back row from left, coach Taylor Major, Taya Straker, Lily Loyd, Abbey Newberry, Drew Wolfe and coach Tobi Dusome.
photo courtesy of Brad Anstey

The club will provide a single place for girls from Grades 6 to 12 to develop their competitive basketball skills in a consistent way with integrated coaching methods throughout the age groups. This new club will also provide better support for coaches and volunteers.

“It’s exciting to organize a new club with a development path for these girls. Making sure competitive basketball is accessible in the younger years ensures that we have a large talent pool to draw from in the older years,” said U19 head coach Aaron Wells.

The High Performance Girls Basketball program has been an important part of sports development in Yellowknife since the 1990s, with various senior and junior high performance teams being formed over the years, according to the news release.

The Eagles basketball program is a multi-aged club dedicated to providing a safe and positive environment for female athletes to feel valued and empowered, reads the release.

"It is our goal to provide an environment where all athletes feel valued and great about their accomplishments."

The Yellowknife girls basketball season gets rolling with open gym times starting Sept. 17.

For more information check out the website at eaglesball.ca.