Upon her arrival in Yellowknife, Jane Enge quickly noticed a significant milestone.
“This is the inaugural university basketball tournament ever to take place here in the Northwest Territories!” Enge exclaimed.
Originally from Yellowknife, Enge, a Métis woman and University of Toronto basketball player, has been involved in basketball since childhood and played a key role in organizing the upcoming tournament in the N.W.T. capital.
Six women’s university basketball teams from various parts of Canada arrived in Yellowknife on Wednesday for the North of 60 Classic, with approximately 120 top-tier athletes participating.
Over the long weekend, nine games will be held, featuring teams from Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Nova Scotia vying for the championship.
Expressing her excitement, Enge stated, “It’s a long-awaited moment for Yellowknife.” She was instrumental in spearheading the initiative to showcase the North and give back to the community.
Enge emphasized her deep connection to Yellowknife, saying, “Yellowknife raised me, influenced me, supported me, and instilled in me a passion for the sport.”
The tournament’s organization has been a collaborative effort, with Aaron Wells, head coach of the Eagles women’s basketball program in Yellowknife, and director of player development for Basketball N.W.T., revealing that the concept of bringing back athletes who grew up in the region had been under discussion among organizers and local coaches for years.
About a year ago, Enge reached out to Wells to kickstart the plan, leading to the formation of an organizing team responsible for managing logistics, such as flights, accommodations, venue arrangements, community partnerships, sponsorships, and fundraising efforts that amassed around $350,000.
Joining Enge this week are four other N.W.T. athletes, all returning to their hometown court. Five players, who were part of the Yellowknife Eagles basketball club in the past, will represent their respective university teams in the tournament, a poignant moment for Wells, who coached them during their formative years.
Community Engagement
In addition to the tournament, all six teams will participate in community events, including skill development clinics for GO Ball, a program catering to young female basketball players.
Lily Newberry, a Yellowknife native now playing for Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, expressed her emotional connection to returning home to work with local youth, underscoring the opportunities available regardless of one’s upbringing.
Local basketball enthusiast Kent Alacida shared his excitement about witnessing high-level basketball in Yellowknife, noting the historic significance of the tournament and its potential impact on future athletes.
Alacida encouraged residents to attend the games, emphasizing the importance of community support for such events.
The North of 60 Classic will take place from Friday through Sunday at St. Patrick High School and Weledeh Catholic School.
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