It’s bigger than basketball; The Collective Elite basketball tryouts

BY DAVE RANKIN

Upon entering the gym at Sheridan College Davis Campus this past weekend, I couldn’t help but to feel a little nostalgic. It really brought me back to those formative years where the only thing I did was dribble a basketball. Basketball taught me some life lessons: how to handle hardships, and how to take responsibility for my actions.  When speaking to the organizers of this past weekend’s tryouts, and the first Middle Scholl Alumni game, you could hear the same sentiment in their ideology. “It’s bigger than basketball,” says President Leon, “Basketball is a tool to get their attention. We then transition what they learn in basketball towards life skills.”

When Leon says it’s bigger than basketball, the members of The Collective Elite truly mean it. They have partnered up with Brampton based United Achievers Community Services to facilitate a Life Skills program, which includes group sessions and as well as free tutoring for all their players. “The children are reaching those years where anything can lead them astray. This program really shows them how to handle ownership and responsibility,” says Dawn Barker who joined the organization when she saw a need to help. “At first I was lending a hand in one area, now I’m lending ten hands“ continued Dawn with excitement.

With close to 100 registered middle school students, and an ever-growing presence due to tournament wins in various states such as: New York, the USBA’s in North Carolina, and the LeBron James Tournament in Ohio, we can see why The Collective Elite are becoming a popular fit with basketball enthusiasts of all ages; especially the parents. “Parents love the fact that the children have an outlet,” Dawn exclaimed, “Grades 7-8 are pivotal years for transformation.”

As soon as the Middle School Alumni game was completed and the players took their photos, I couldn’t help but notice that there were a number of players who came over to shake Leon’s hand. He took the time to give them all an encouraging message and that he will be following up with them. “I wanted to do something to celebrate those kids who are transitioning to high school,” he says, “I look forward to seeing them strive, find themselves and mature. This is why we invest time into them.”

At first, The Collective Elite had students enlisted from grades 3-8. However, with students transitioning, they will have their first ever high school team. Leon tells us their upcoming plan for the high school team. “Normally, our season runs during their high school season, but we decided to have practices during the season. Once their high school season is done, there will be more practices and season games,” he explains. The close-knit bunch explains to us that they have plans of expansion to include young women teams, in the very near future. This is something our future WNBA players will definitely want to look out for.

If this past weekend’s tryouts and Alumni game are any indication to what we can look forward to from The Collective Elite, our children are in good hands. “We continue to do good, and good will come. It’s a blessing for the opportunity to be involved,” (Dawn Barker)