Leading the Charge for Equality in Sports
Story by: ELLISPark.co I Nov. 24, 2023
In 2015, Bryan Cando saw a programming service gap for students at the all-girls Madonna Catholic Secondary School. He knew he needed to help. The high school is located in the Jane and Finch area of Toronto, which is considered a low-income community. Cando’s background in basketball education provided him with the knowledge to develop sports and leadership programming for students, and TB West Community Services (TB West) was the result. With a focus on sports and recreation and the arts, TB West’s mission is to provide girls with equitable access to education and sports mentorship.
One of TB West’s strategies is its Stronger Together female empowerment speaking series, which introduces high school students to professional athletes, actors and more. Speakers have included Olympian hurdler Sarah Wells, sports presenter Kayla Grey and Toronto FC midfielder Jonathan Osorio. This summer, a hands-on basketball clinic was hosted by University of Toronto athletes Ella Charles and Alex Jaglal.
In 2023, TB West expanded its reach to include a coed development basketball program geared towards eight to 11-year-olds living in culturally diverse communities. Designed to help kids learn the fundamental skills needed to become a competitive basketball player, the program brings in professional athletes to teach participants the good habits they’ll need to have success – both on and off the court.
For more information, go to tb-west-community-services.square.site.
