The Ottawa Youth Basketball Academy is the Elite Development regional program currently supported by the Goulbourn Basketball Association, Nepean Blue Devils, Ottawa Shooting Stars and the Ottawa Guardsmen.
Mission
Our mission is to identify and develop the best basketball players in Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais Region through superior elite skill development and the highest available competitive playing environment.
Vision
Our vision is to be regarded as the foremost basketball club in Ontario and Canada for elite player development.
Philosophy
Our program’s philosophy for achieving our mission and vision will be through providing three major factors that are key to elite development. Those factors are:
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Provide an elite training environment,
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Provide an elite schedule of training, competition, and recovery, and
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Provide an affordable program for all to participate
Elite Training Environment
The OYBA provides an elite training environment in many ways. First and foremost, our club selects only the best coaches in the region to provide superior skill development. Secondly, our athletes’ training takes place within one of the finest facilities in Eastern Ontario, the Carleton University Ravens Nest, as well as at Ottawa region High Schools. Thirdly, our club’s Director of Player Development provides additional individual and group training sessions for our elite players to be able to work on premiere skill development, physical conditioning and strength training, and mental development. Through this work, our program will focus on developing the area’s most committed and elite players by bringing them together in one environment where they may continually challenge each other.
Elite Schedule
The OYBA provides its athletes with the best possible schedule for skill development and use of those skills in competition. The OYBA is the sole owner in Eastern Ontario of a seat in the Canadian Youth Basketball League (CYBL), which is the elite league for Ontario. Beginning with the 2015-2016 season, OYBA teams will be switching to a CYBL and AAU schedule for the purpose of playing only the best teams in the province as well as in the US.
Affordable Program
The OYBA strives to keep our registration and team fees as low as possible to keep our programs inclusive of all financial situations. We have been able to assist many athletes to secure additional funding through outside organizations that recognize the importance of team sport and the personal development that is achieved through competitive sports teams.
While understanding that players develop differently, OYBA players will be provided with the opportunity to continue developing their individual and team skills while ultimately increasing the overall competitiveness of basketball in the National Capital Region.
While player development is the key goal of the program, it is contingent on having skilled coaches to lead that development. A coach selection and development program is in place to ensure that OYBA players have coaches with the skill level and knowledge to advance their development.
Our participating member clubs, while supporting the OYBA, will also benefit from ongoing coaches’ training, player and coach clinics, and skills sessions along with continuing support and development of all players and coaches.
Structure and Governance
Ottawa Youth Basketball Academy is made up and managed by an executive Board of Directors with representation from each of the participating member associations. These representatives are responsible for making decisions regarding the operations, administration, and the coach selections of the OYBA. The Goulbourn Basketball Association, Nepean Blue Devils and Ottawa Shooting stars will continue to operate teams at all levels with those players benefiting from access to OYBA clinics and resources. The Ottawa Guardsmen will not be running teams at the OYBA age levels.
2016-2017 Season
U12 Ottawa Elite Boys
U13 Ottawa Elite Boys
U14 Ottawa Elite Boys
U15 Ottawa Elite Boys
U16 Ottawa Elite Boys
U17 Ottawa Elite Boys
U19 Ottawa Elite Men
U19 Ottawa Elite Women
All players are welcome to tryout for an OYBA team. Through our member clubs players may be identified and recommended to tryout for one of the OYBA teams.
The Ottawa Youth Basketball Academy is pleased to have our elite players participate in the Canadian Youth Basketball League (CYBL) and selected AAU tournaments.
