Queen’s, Kingston to host 2020 Canada Basketball Nationals
In just under a year, Kingston and Queen’s University will play host to approximately 20 of the most impressive young male basketball teams competing for national titles.
Canada Basketball and Ontario Basketball (OBA) announced on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019 that Queen’s University and the City of Kingston will host the 2020 U15 and U17 Boys National Championships. Competition dates for the 2020 National Championships are tentatively scheduled for August 3 to 8, 2020, with the finals taking place on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020.
“We are thrilled to be working closely with Kingston and Queen’s University to run a successful National Championship in our province,” said Jason Jansson, executive director of Ontario Basketball. “We plan to innovate wherever possible and host a memorable experience for the visiting teams and all basketball fans.”
All venues for the competition, practice courts, residences, and banquet hall meals will be on Queen’s campus, making for an all-in-one destination for the athletes and participants, who can easily walk between all locations, Queen’s Athletics expressed in a press release. The playing courts have full-FIBA lines, and can accommodate 800 spectator in one gym, and up to 1,900 in the main gym – which will surely be packed for the gold medal determining games.
“National Championships are a critical component to the continued growth and development of the game of basketball across our country,” said Glen Grunwald, President and CEO of Canada Basketball. “Many players within our national team programs have proudly represented their province or territory in the past and I look forward to watching some of the nation’s top players in Kingston next summer.”
Those organizers here in Kingston expressed excitement to host the “U15 and U17 teams comprised of the best basketball talent their provincial and territorial area has to offer.”
“We are thrilled to work with Canada Basketball, Ontario Basketball, Tourism Kingston, and our Jr. Gaels partners in Kingston Impact to bring this National competition to Kingston,” said Jeff Downie, Director of Business Development at Queen’s University. “We look forward to rolling out the red carpet for all the competitors while on Queen’s campus – from accommodations, to meals, and to the competition venue in the Athletics & Recreation Centre (ARC). What an opportunity for our Kingston community, and our youth athletes and Jr. Gaels, in Kingston to watch and experience a level of competition they can aspire to.”
While the teams and fans alike gather on Queen’s campus for the competition, they’ll also get to experience Kingston.
“Hosting this event is a privilege for our city since the national championships are based on a provincial hosting rotation,” said Megan Knott, Executive Director of Tourism Kingston. “We are proud to showcase what Kingston has to offer teams and fans across the country.”
And Kingstonians will also have the chance to cheer on Team Ontario, as they seek a comeback following their 2019 National Championships finish with silver medals in both boys’ divisions.
“Team Ontario continues to be a reflection of the wealth of basketball talent in our province, but even more than our team’s end result we are excited to play host to our counterparts from the other provinces and territories and show them what Ontario and Kingston have to offer,” said Stephanie Rudnick, President of Ontario Basketball’s Board of Directors. “In less than a year we hope to see you all at National Championships.”