SWISH Basketball encourages growth through sport

West Alexander

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/07/2023 (1163 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

This summer’s looking to be a slam-dunk.

After a COVID-induced hiatus, SWISH Basketball’s weekend drop-in program has returned this summer, starting up again at its downtown home next to the University of Manitoba’s Bannatyne Campus (the parking lot located at Tecumseh Street and McDermot Avenue).

The acronym, SWISH, stands for ‘summer weekend of inner-city supervised hoops.’ Like its name suggests, participants from any area of the city can stop by, sign up on the spot, and try their hand at the sport with a team of athletes and local professionals.

“I’ve always loved basketball,” said Xavier (Mr. SWISH) Smith, co-ordinator of the weekly program. “I would love for everyone to play (the sport), at least try it out, right, and enjoy playing it, right, but the main thing is building the connections, the relationships, and having something like this in the inner city.”

Smith describes the sport itself as a tool that works to connect people who may have never previously interacted, opening the way for possible friendships or mentorships. He said that he believes that team sports play an essential role in building connections and expanding oneself athletically and socially.

“You can take this team environment, this family that you built through sport, and you can you can apply that to real life,” he said. “Your own family… whatever the case may be. That’s often where sport kind of comes in, (when you’re) working towards a common goal together. It’s a huge thing to me, personally.”

Now, over a decade since SWISH came to be, Smith has noticed the positive effect. He has even gone as far as encourage two original participants to return as staff and show newbies their way around.

“These were some of the first kids that actually came and started shooting around and getting involved in the program,” Smith said. “So, it’s actually really cool… some of them (are) actually taller than me now … to see them actually contribute and give back to their own community.”

The program takes place every Saturday — up until Aug. 19 — from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and there’s water and snacks available to participants. Alongside the aforementioned staff, there are active crew members who play for the U of M women’s basketball team, local club teams, and more.

Although SWISH is aimed at kids aged 12 to 18, Smith and the SWISH team encourage anyone who’s interested in throwing hoops to give it a try, including the families of kids involved.

“If you have a team, if you want to play, if you want to get some training, it’s all free and you, you just sign up on site,” Smith said.

SWISH is supported by the University of Manitoba, Basketball Manitoba, the Youth Agencies Alliance, and SPIN — Sports Programs in Inner City Neighbourhoods.

SWISH Saturdays are also aided by the work of volunteers. Those interested in becoming a court master, supervisor, or more, can contact staff directly online.

For any and all information, visit www.swishbasketball.ca