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Tip-off is less than 50 days away as UBC Okanagan prepare to host the 2010 Canadian Colleges Athletics Association (CCAA) Women’s Basketball National Championships.
Canada’s top teams will compete at UBC Okanagan for the national women’s collegiate basketball championship in 2010.
Rob Johnson, director of athletics and recreation for UBC Okanagan revealed what it means to host the 2010 Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Basketball Championship — Canada’s premier event for women’s collegiate basketball.
“Hosting the national championship tournament not only offers great exposure for the campus and community, it also provides many opportunities for all those who wish to become involved,” said Johnson.
The tournament, which runs March 17 to 20, brings together the champions from each of the CCAA’s five conferences in addition to the host school and two wildcard teams. It’s the first national event of its kind to come to Kelowna since the former Okanagan University College hosted the CCAA men’s volleyball championships in 2001 and 2002.
“An event of this magnitude is a big undertaking, and we hope to encourage many people to get involved – including students and staff from all across campus, and our great supporters from the Okanagan community,” said Johnson. “Committees are being established to provide leadership to all aspects of the tournament including accommodations, transportation, hospitality, media services, promotions and publicity, marketing, ceremonies and awards, translation, team services, competition and technical, and finance.”
As the campus prepares to roll out the red carpet for the nation’s top teams, Johnson also announced the tournament’s two presenting partners: the Dino Gini Personal Real Estate Corporation, and Investors Group Okanagan Region.
“We are very fortunate to have these two organizations take a lead role in sponsoring this event,” said Johnson. “Without them and all our other sponsors, putting on a national championship would be next to impossible.
“Basketball fans in the Okanagan region are in for a real treat,” he said. “This event brings together the top eight teams from across the country to compete for national bragging rights. The level of play is exceptional.”
Dino Gini has been selling real estate in Kelowna for 19 years and is actively involved with Kelowna’s basketball community, either as a coach for successful high school teams or as a community sponsor.
“I am thrilled to play a role in such an elite tournament at UBC Okanagan,” said Gini. ‘This tournament will show case the top players in Canada and our very own UBC Okanagan Heat. I look forward to watching coach Heather Semeniuk and the Heat players work towards their ultimate goal of winning the national championship at home in front of family and friends.”
Investors Group Okanagan Regional Director Paul Demay said he is very excited to be a part of a tournament in which top student athletes from all over Canada will come together to decide a champion.
“Attaining the national championship level is a great achievement built on the hard work and dedication of many people working together,” said Demay, whose years of community involvement include serving on the boards of the Kelowna Family Y and the United Way. “Investors Group is proud to be a Presenting Partner and we salute the athletes, coaches and team officials who continue to compete at a very high level and strive for excellence.”
The first game of the championship will take place Thursday, March 18, at 1 p.m. with the championship game slated for Saturday, March 20, at 8 p.m.
For more information on the tournament including schedule and ticket information visit www.goheat.ca/nats.
Tags: 2010 Canadian Colleges Athletics Association (CCAA) Women's Basketball National Championships, UBC Okanagan, women's basketball
