When Neighbourhood Hoops launched earlier this year, the idea was to deliver a basketball skills development program for downtown youth.

Following the success of the winter development program at the Beasley Community Centre and the Eva Rothwell Resource Centre — with a final tournament held at McMaster’s Burridge Gymnasium — participants expressed a desire to put their skills to the test on more familiar turf.

The Hoops 3-on-3 basketball league was born soon afterward in Beasley Park.

The league offers barrier-free, accessible basketball programming to players ages 9-14 in the inner-city Beasley community — one of the most dense, diverse and economically challenged areas in Hamilton.

The eight-week program allows participants to make new friends and learn the fundamentals of basketball in a positive, supportive environment.

“Prior to our launch this year there was no organized basketball available for youth in that neighbourhood,” says Nicole Grosel, coordinator, Community Engagement & Group Sales, Department of Athletics & Recreation.

Roughly 40 young players gathered in Beasley Park each week to take part in pickup games and learn new drills.

On Wednesday evening, local youth and volunteer team members celebrated the achievements of Neighbourhood Hoops during its inaugural year of programming on a tiny concrete court in the heart of the park.

Organizers held a barbecue for players and community members, with the main event featuring a 3-on-3 contest between the Beasley Community All-Stars and the McMaster Marauders men’s basketball team.

“To say the atmosphere in the park was electric would be an understatement,” says Grosel.

“More than 150 youth and their families spent the evening in the park celebrating, socializing and cheering on the game. It was truly amazing.”

Varsity basketball players Andre Toic, Marcus Hasse-Kollartis, Andrew Holmes, David McCulloch and Connor Gilmore represented the Marauders in the tournament.

“Our student-athletes had a fantastic time,” Grosel offers.

“But more importantly, it was the youth and the Beasley community who were able to participate in such a great event that made the evening truly special.”

Assistant coach Joe Jones, general manager Rod Bynum, head coach Amos Connolly and Glen Grunwald, McMaster’s director of Athletics & Recreation, were also in attendance.

The Beasley contingent was joined by Hamilton Ward 2 councillor Jason Farr, whose constituency includes Beasley Park and the surrounding area. 

Neighbourhood Hoops was developed in partnership between the City of Hamilton, the Eva Rothwell Resource Centre, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hamilton, Wesley Urban Ministries and McMaster Athletes Care.

The latter is a popular University program that encourages student-athletes to participate in meaningful volunteer experiences, placing a strong focus on local community development.