Grade 7 & 8 basketball players in the region are being introduced to a new way to play the game this spring. A 3-on-3 basketball showcase is coming to Portage to prepare junior high students for the high school level. Organizer of the program Darin Arnold says it will all take place in Portage and will give more kids an opportunity to play.

"This is replacing what we used to do for spring ball. We used to enter a team into the Winnipeg Minor Basketball League, and that would just be twelve kids," Arnold continues. "When the school division is looking at different ways of promoting mental health and physical fitness, we thought that, rather than only taking a handful of kids, we decided on the 3-on-3 model of basketball."

While this program will provide an opportunity for more kids to play, Arnold says it will also allow players who may not get the ball regularly with their school team to build confidence.

"It's pretty much the exact same game but it's only played on half the court. There are only six players on the court, three on each team, and there's a lot more space. The kids can get a lot more touches," Arnold explains. "I know, in minor hockey, they do the cross-ice stuff for the same reasons. We want kids to build their skills. In the junior high league, some kids don't get to do a whole lot because there's not as much space when it's 5-on-5."

The organizer of the program adds all the games will be played at Portage Collegiate, giving the students a taste of what it will be like to play for PCI in the future. 

Arnold says they won't be asking for much commitment from the players as the season will consist of three separate showcase events. On April 14, April 28, and May 12, teams will take part in three or four games to 21 with no standings or playoffs. Arnold stresses the objective of this program is to help the players improve.

He says they are looking for both girls' and boys' teams but adds they will not be put up against each other. Teams can have up to five players, with mandatory substitutions being made every four minutes. The kids can make up their own teams with teammates from their school or friends from other schools, and Arnold notes players from the surrounding area, such as Oakville or MacGregor, are also welcome.

Arnold unveils the best part of it all.

"The nice thing about this is we've got some grants, one from the school division and another from Sport Manitoba. So, we should be able to offer this program at no cost to the kids. Removing the cost is one of the big barriers we wanted to get out of the way, and due to grants, outside sources, and some generous donations from the school division, we were able to do that."

Post-pandemic mental health is something the Portage School Division has been laser-focused on, and they believe the camaraderie of sport is one of the best ways to improve that.

"We know a lot of kids are struggling with mental health, and something like this, where they can build confidence, certainly plays a big part in that. When they come to PCI, they'll say, 'I can play this. I can do this. This is what I want to do.' We always have a lot of Grade 9s say, 'I want to try out but I'm not sure.' Hopefully, the experience of this, getting to know the school, getting to know all the different peers they'll have, hopefully, that builds some confidence."

Arnold adds 3-on-3 basketball has been gaining a ton of popularity in recent years as it was added to the Olympics in 2021. He says it's much easier for the kids to just go out there and have fun instead of worrying about all the technicalities that come with the 5-on-5 game.

For anyone looking for more information click here and to register click here.

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