West Ottawa Basketball Association

🎉🏀 CELEBRATING WOBA ALUM & COACH MARLO STEENBAKKERS!

Congratulations to Marlo Steenbakkers on being inducted into the Capital Courts Academy Academic Hall of Fame! 👏

Marlo went on to have an outstanding six-year career at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, excelling both on the basketball court and in the classroom.

Her accomplishments include:

🎓 Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences
🎓 Master of Business Administration (MBA)
🏅 4× Academic All-Canadian
🏅 2× MBA Dean’s List
📚 3.73 undergraduate GPA

But one of the things we're most proud of is that Marlo's basketball journey has brought her back to West Ottawa. ❤️🏀

Marlo is now entering her second season as Head Coach of our U16 Girls Competitive team, where she's sharing her experience and helping develop the next generation of WOBA athletes.

She'll once again be joined by Assistant Coach Avery Platana, with Kevin Hemeon joining the staff this season. Kevin is one of the city's most respected and experienced longtime coaches, adding even more knowledge and mentorship to an outstanding coaching team.

Marlo is a tremendous example for our young athletes of where basketball, academics, hard work and a commitment to personal growth can take you—and what it means to give back to the game and community that helped you along the way.

From WOBA player. To university student-athlete. To coach and mentor.

We're incredibly fortunate to have Marlo back in the WOBA gym, inspiring young female athletes to see what's possible both on and off the court.

Congratulations, Marlo! Your WOBA family is proud of you. 👏❤️🏀

And thank you to Capital Courts for recognizing and celebrating an outstanding student-athlete, coach and leader.

🏀 WE'RE LOOKING FOR A HEAD COACH!

West Ottawa Basketball is seeking a Head Coach for our U17 Boys Competitive Team for the 2026–27 season.

We're looking for a coach who is passionate about developing young athletes, building a positive team culture, and continuing to grow their own game as a coach.

At WOBA, we don't just invest in our players. We invest in our coaches, too.

As a competitive coach with West Ottawa, you'll have access to:

🎓 Club-Funded NCCP Training
We'll support your continued development through NCCP certification and training.

🏀 Free Coaching Clinics
Continue learning through development opportunities throughout the season.

🤝 Coach Mentorship
Learn, collaborate and share ideas with experienced coaches within our club.

📚 Free PGC Coaching Membership
Access world-class coaching resources focused on leadership, culture, player development and more.

💻 Coach Hoops Practice Library
Get access to our extensive online library of practice games and drills to help you plan engaging, effective practices.

📹 Hudl Video Development
Use video to teach the game, provide player feedback and accelerate team development.

💪 FitQuest Strength & Conditioning
Access professional strength and conditioning support for your athletes.

🧠 Mental Performance Workshops
Give your players tools to build confidence, resilience, focus and stronger performance habits.

🥗 Sports Nutrition & Hydration Workshops
Help athletes better understand how to fuel, hydrate and recover for performance.

Most importantly, you'll join a club that believes great player development starts with great coach development.

If you're ready to lead a competitive U17 Boys team while continuing to grow as a coach, we'd love to hear from you.

🏀 U17 Boys Competitive Head Coach
📅 2026–27 Season
📍 West Ottawa Basketball

👉 Learn more or apply by emailing [email protected]

📣 Know a great coach? Tag them or send them this post.

🚨 G-ELITE IS COMING TO WEST OTTAWA! 🏀

We are proud to announce that we have been awarded a Senior G-Elite team by for the 2026–27 season!

Our inaugural U19 Girls G-Elite program is designed to help athletes prepare for the demands of post-secondary basketball, on and off the court.

🏀 EXCELLENT COACHING & PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

Head Coach Mark Emond and Assistant Coach Tarcisse Ruhamyandekwe are both NCCP Train to Compete (Level 3) Certified. They are two of very few coaches in the city to attain this level.

Together they bring extensive high-performance coaching experience, a proven track record of player development, and strong connections to the post-secondary game.

They have developed several players who are playing post-secondary basketball this year.

But great coaching is only part of the G-Elite experience.

At WOBA, we're committed to developing the whole athlete.

Our G-Elite players will also benefit from:

💪 Strength & Conditioning with
Develop the strength and athleticism needed for the next level.

🧠 Mental Performance Coaching with
Build confidence, focus, resilience and the mental skills required to perform on the court and in the classroom.

🥗 Sports Nutrition Coaching with Michelle Balon
Learn how to fuel, recover and develop habits that support high performance and a healthy lifestyle.

📹 Individual Player Development with
Use video analysis to accelerate your development.

🎓 Post-Secondary Pathway & Recruiting Support
Benefit from coaching relationships and guidance as you prepare for playing after high school.

🤝 Leadership Development
Our Coach Apprentice Program offers players the opportunity to develop leadership skills while giving back to the next generation.

And all of it happens within WOBA's positive, athlete-first culture and a community invested in helping our players succeed.

🔥 Ready for the next level?

🏀 Senior G-Elite | U19 Girls
📅 Tryouts begin August 24

👉 Learn more and register at westottawabasketball.com

🏀 Thinking about basketball for the first time?

You don’t need years of experience. You don’t need to already know how to dribble, shoot or play the game.

You just need to be ready to learn, play and have fun. 🙌

West Ottawa Basketball offers recreation programs for girls and boys ages 5–18, making it a great place to discover basketball in a fun, welcoming and positive environment.

Players can:

🏀 Learn the fundamentals of basketball
⭐ Build new skills and confidence
🤝 Make friends and be part of a team
🏃 Stay active and develop athletic skills
😊 Learn from supportive coaches
❤️ And most importantly…have FUN!

What does the recreation season look like?

📅 October through April
🏀 1 team practice per week
⛹️ 1 game per week
👧 Girls programs
👦 Boys programs
🎒 Ages 5–18

Whether your child already loves basketball or is picking up a basketball for the very first time, there’s a place for them on the court.

No experience needed. Just come ready to play!

🏀 2026–27 Recreation Basketball Registration is OPEN

👉 Register at westottawabasketball.com

⏰ Registration closes August 31.

Know a family looking for a great activity for their child this year? Send them this post!

If your child is 8 or 9 years old and loves basketball, this could be the season that sparks a lifelong passion for the game.

Our U10 Competitive Program is designed to help young athletes build skills, confidence, and a love for basketball in a fun, positive environment. With certified coaches, regular practices, competitive games, and exciting tournament experiences, players learn so much more than basketball. They learn teamwork, resilience, and confidence.

Whether your child is ready to take the next step or is looking for a new challenge, we'd love to see them at tryouts.

🏀 U10 Girls & U10 Boys Competitive Tryouts
📍 Register today at westottawabasketball.com
📅 Registration closes August 31

Know a family with an 8 or 9-year-old basketball player? Tag them below or share this post!

🏀 HUGE News for Our West Ottawa Basketball Community

We’re excited to officially announce our new partnership with OSA Private School (OSA), launching this September.
West Ottawa Basketball will be the exclusive training provider for OSA’s basketball program. In its pilot year, the program will be open to female student-athletes enrolled in Grades 7-10 at OSA.

Consideration may be given to athletes outside these grades.
This program brings together:
✅ Elite on-court basketball development
✅ FitQuest off-court performance training
✅ A full academic curriculum through OSA

It’s a unique, all-in-one pathway for student-athletes to grow, on the court, in the classroom, and beyond.

We’re proud to partner with OSA and align around a shared vision: developing confident, capable athletes and people.

👉 To learn more about this opportunity, join us tonight for a virtual program information session at 7:00 PM. Register at https://westottawabasketball.com/wobasketball/OSA.

🏀🎉 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡! 🎉🏀

🎉 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁—𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲–𝟮𝟳 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗼𝘄!

Whether you're stepping onto the court for the first time or getting ready for another exciting season, we've got a place for you!

🔥 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻:

🏀 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺
🔥 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀
⭐ 𝗡𝗘𝗪! 𝗨𝟭𝟵 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝗚-𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺
📋 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
🦓 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Join one of the largest basketball communities in Ottawa and be part of a season filled with skill development, teamwork, friendships, and unforgettable memories.

⏰ 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁—𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆!

👉 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘄: www.westottawabasketball.com

🏀

🏀💙 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲?

💙🎉 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 $𝟭𝟵,𝟬𝟴𝟬 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲! 🎉💙

The 7th Annual Hoops4Hope 3-on-3 Charity Tournament was an incredible success, and we are beyond grateful for the amazing support of our basketball community.

From the first tip-off to the final buzzer, the day was filled with great basketball, friendly competition, community spirit, and countless smiles.

🏀 Hundreds of players competed and gave it their all
🍕 Hundreds of slices of pizza were enjoyed
🛍️ The Silent Auction was a huge hit
👏 Volunteers, referees, coaches, and families helped make the day run smoothly
🏛️ We were honoured by a visit from Mayor Mark Sutcliffe

Most importantly, every team, player, volunteer, sponsor, official, spectator, donor, and supporter helped make a meaningful difference for youth in our community through their support of the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre.

𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 to everyone who:
💙 Registered a team
💙 Played hard and competed with great sportsmanship
💙 Refereed games
💙 Volunteered their time
💙 Cheered from the sidelines
💙 Donated and bid in the Silent Auction
💙 Sponsored the event

𝗔 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗧𝗢 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗦 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗦:

🏆 RCCH Foundation
🏆 E Landscaping Inc.
🏆 Demand Spring
🏆 Thomas Cavanagh Construction Limited
🏆 One Court Alliance
🏆 Hall of Fades
🏆 Royal Plumbing
🏆 District Realty Corporation Brokerage
🏆 iPlay
🏆 Carelivia HomeCare
🏆 Black Ridge Consulting
🏆 The Beauty Spot
🏆 Legacy Small Engines
🏆 La Provence Bakery
🏆 Tailored Home Improvement
🏆 Kainos Basketball Academy
🏆 Stittsville Men's Basketball League
🏆 Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball
🏆 Fleming Fitness
🏆 Alloy Wheel Repair
🏆 Bill Freeman DDS
🏆 Domino's Pizza
🏆 Upper Canada Elevators
🏆 Papa Johns Pizza

This tournament continues to grow each year because of the incredible people who believe in giving back through sport. Thank you for making the 5th Annual Hoops4Hope our biggest and most impactful event yet.

💙 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝘁, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗱, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗶𝘇𝘇𝗮, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.

Thank you for helping us support youth in our community through the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre.

💙 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝘄𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁. 🏀

Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre Mark Sutcliffe

🚨 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡! 🚨

🏀 The wait is over! Registration is now open for:

✅ 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹
✅ 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀
✅ 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀

🙋 We are also now accepting registrations for:
🏀 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀
🐝 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀

Whether you're stepping onto the court for the first time, returning for another season, or looking to help lead a team, we have a place for you!

⏰ 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲! Register before July 1st to save on your registration fees.

🌐 Register today at https://westottawabasketball.com/wobasketball/WelcometoWestOttawaBasketball

📣 Referee registration coming soon!