Our inaugural Regional Basketball Development Program was introduced in the 2017-2018 school year.

Ten (10) student-athletes attended Uchenna Academy part-time and received two high school credits. They also committed to athletic training twice per week with our coaching team; participated in various tournaments and showcase games, and received tutorial assistance every week.

Weekly schedule included a minimum of two team practices, two classes and individual (or small group) tutoring sessions as required by the student athletes. Our principal also kept track of the students’ homeschool achievements – every student athlete was required to submit their report cards as well as any teacher notes (ex. to explain a declining grade and what the student athlete was doing to improve) to our principal.

One of the courses was delivered in collaboration with the University Health Network (UHN). The course (course code IDC4U) required students to read and write scientific literature, conduct mobility research studies, design an assistive device & prepare a ‘Dragon’s Den’ inspired idea pitch to the research team at UHN. The second course included a collaboration with Deloitte Canada and focused on Economics (course code CIE3M).

 “A great discovery solves a great problem but there is a grain of discovery in any problem.”          

Uchenna Academy student athletes worked on the following projects:

• Development of a screening protocol for student athletes
• Assistive device development for fall prevention

Each project was showcased at the end of the term during the Annual Research Day at UHN on January 23, 2018, and again at Deloitte Canada in May 2018.

Student athletes participated in the following tournaments and game exhibitions:

• CYBL League
• Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Georges Vanier Tournament
• TDSB L’amoreaux CI Tournament
• Toronto French School (TFS) Exhibition Game

Our new Athletic Grounds in the heart of Toronto have allowed us to introduce a  full-time Regional and Preparatory Program so we can provide even more academically and athletically diverse opportunities to our student-athletes.