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In the Community > Partnership Profiles > Somali Youth Basketball League (SYBL)

Somali Youth Basketball League (SYBL)

Provincial Grant Awarded to Somali Youth Basketball League (SYBL)

Premier Dalton McGuinty was in Ottawa on Wednesday, February 9, 2005 at Lisgar Collegiate High School, to announce a Provincial Grant to be awarded to the Somali Youth Basketball League (SYBL).

SYBL, founded in 2004, is a volunteer, not-for-profit basketball league designed to offer a fun and competitive environment for youth and to maintain a drug and violence free environment. It has developed into an outstanding league today and continues to grow and enrich more and more young lives everyday.

The League welcomes a diverse group of youth to participate. The first season saw the participation of 144 young boys and girls.

The League is attempting to develop youth leaders so they can help one another. This includes:

  • Establishing leadership and mentorship activities that will help them develop skills that can be used anywhere, including the school environment.
  • Teaching youth how to effectively communicate, debate (substitute for violence) and help address some of the challenges and issues that youth face in school and the community.
  • There will be positive role models in efforts to encourage youths and build unity within the community.
  • Enhanced leadership and communication skills will help increase chances for future employment.

Apart from the obvious health and athletic benefits, the opportunity to bring young people together in a positive setting will help them become more socially engaged through volunteering and also increase parents' awareness. The youth will be made more aware about crime and its consequences. SYBL also allows youth to spend their free time in an activity that is not only productive but will give them information, and teach them their rights and responsibilities as a citizen, as more youth become engaged, it will reduce the number of youths at risk on the streets.

Individuals interested in helping with the League can contact SYBL for more information at (613) 325-9052 or email us at info@ottawapolice.ca.