Toronto Community Housing Corporation issued the following announcement on April 17.

Toronto Community Housing's life and court skills program Midnight Madness Basketball has launched its sixth year with more than 60 youth taking part in the 2018 spring season.

Toronto Community Housing Vice-President of Resident and Community Services Angela Cooke welcomed players, fans, coaches, and program partners at the April 13 launch held at the University of Toronto's Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport. Midnight Madness Basketball partners include the University of Toronto and the Ontario Basketball Association.

Every Friday night from April 13 to May 18, players age 14 to 18 from various Toronto communities, including Jane and Finch, Albion, Swansea Mews, Chester Le, Canlish, Glamorgan and Trethewey, will meet to practise their basketball skills and learn new ones, under the guidance of community coaches and seasoned mentors. The fall season, beginning in mid-October, usually sees many returning players.

The players take part in team-building exercises and learn fundamental basketball skills such as dribbling, defensive and shooting techniques. There are workshops about financial literacy, values and decision-making, conflict resolution, leadership and citizenship throughout the season. All the teams will compete for the Midnight Madness Basketball Championship Cup, currently held by the team from Jane and Finch.

Sports producer Akil Augustine, who hosts 'The Hangout" program for NBA TV, spoke to the players on April 13 about developing good leadership skills and overcoming everyday challenges, on or off the court. Guest speakers are scheduled for each weekly session.

Quotes:

"Toronto Community Housing is thrilled to have the continued support of our partners for Midnight Madness Basketball, now in its sixth year. The staff and coaches have worked tirelessly to make this program truly youth-centric, meaningful and enjoyable for all participants."

Angela Cooke, Vice President, Resident and Community Services, Toronto Community Housing Corporation

"The youth in this camp have unique opportunities to play their favourite sport with some of the best in Toronto and in a safe environment. At the same time, they get to learn important leadership qualities like discipline, perseverance and decision-making that could help them later in life."

Akil Augustine, Host, The Hangout, NBA TV

About Midnight Madness Basketball

Toronto Community Housing started the Midnight Madness Basketball program in 2013 as part of its commitment to using sports to connect young tenants, aged 14 to 18, to opportunities that could impact their lives in positive ways. Toronto Community Housing runs the program in partnership with University of Toronto and the Ontario Basketball Association. Learn more about the program.

About Toronto Community Housing

Toronto Community Housing (www.torontohousing.ca) is Canada's largest social housing provider. We are owned by the City of Toronto and provide homes for nearly 60,000 low- and moderate-income households in 106 of the city's 144 neighbourhoods. Our 2,100 buildings represent a $10-billion public asset.

Original source: https://www.torontohousing.ca/news/whatsnew/Pages/Spring-2018-Midnight-Madness-Basketball-kicks-off-.aspx