Kingston Impact Development League joins Jr. Gaels program
The Queen’s Junior Gaels program continues to expand, now bringing the Kingston Impact basketball league into it’s fold.
Queen’s Athletics and Recreation announced on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 that the Kingston Impact Development League and Jr. NBA is joining the Junior Gaels brand and apparel program.
“We are excited about the continued expansion and excitement of the Jr. Gaels program. Local youth leagues are excited about our goal of inspiring Kingston athletes to attend Queen’s, and one day play for the Gaels. We are already seeing our current student-athletes being more involved with the Kingston community,” said Jeff Downie, Director of Business Development and Operations for Queen’s Athletics and Recreation.
Through this partnership, Kingston Impact will rebrand their Jr NBA and development programs as Junior Gaels starting in the fall of 2019. Queen’s Athletics is using a new partnership with T. Litzen and Nike, its apparel and equipment suppliers, to support the Junior Gaels brand, according to the University.
“The Kingston Impact Basketball Club is excited to partner with Queen’s and its Jr. Gaels program. Being able to brand our Jr. NBA and Development League programs as the Jr. Gaels will provide benefits and opportunities to the more than 600 players and their families who play for Impact each year,” said Sheldon Laidman, President of Kingston Impact.
Likewise, those with the Queen’s basketball teams expressed their excitement over the new partnership.
“Our team is thrilled with the expansion of the Junior Gaels to include basketball. Every year Kingston and the Impact are producing great basketball players as well as people, and we have certainly benefited from having former Impact players as members of our program. Youth basketball in Kingston is thriving, and we are excited to be a part of that,” said James Bambury, Interim Head Coach of Queen’s Women’s Basketball team.
“The Queen’s Men’s Basketball athletes and coaching staff are very excited to expand the relationship we’ve had with Kingston Impact. This relationship will help build excitement and support for both the Jr. Gaels program and the Queen’s University program,” said Steph Barrie, Head Coach of Queen’s Men’s Basketball.
According to Queen’s Athletics, all participants in the Junior Gaels program will receive benefits like:
- Opportunities to meet and learn from current Gaels athletes
- Coaching support from current Queen’s coaches
- Free admission to Gaels sporting events
- Special Jr. Gaels programming at Athletics & Recreation Centre (ARC)
- Discounts and promotions and much more
Stay tuned, as Queen’s Athletics has said the new Junior Gaels brand and uniforms will be launching soon.