Indigenous hoops team takes Flight
Meet Team Flight: an elite indigenous girls basketball squad.
A coach from Grimsby is running a girls team of elite under-18 Indigenous basketball players.
They’re representing Canada at a large tournament in Arizona, the Native American Basketball Invitational, from July 7 to 15.
The tournament, which is sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), comprises 64 girls teams and 64 boys teams.
Jon Nolan created Team Flight for girls across Ontario in 2014, and putting together such a team is easier said than done.
“The major hurdle is logistics,” he said. “We had girls from London, Timmins, Sudbury and Treaty 3 area (Dryden) Walpole Island, so we never practised, yet we were like Voltron. We came together and formed a solid unit.
“My idea was to make this affordable, so money would not dictate if a player could play. We divided all costs between the team.
“Sometimes, a player would be short and families which are a little better off would help by paying for rooms, or food or whatever. It’s a real community team. We all ate together, we laughed, it’s a fun environment.”
The team roared out of the gate and brought home a silver medal from the North American Indigenous Games in the U14 division.
Since then, the team has participated in the Ontario Native Basketball Invitational three times and has won a gold and two
silver medals.
“I want my girls to feel safe, I want them to know that there is more than just The Rez out there,” said Nolan, who grew up playing basketball and soccer in Grimsby.
Recently, Team Flight competed against Conestoga College’s team and won both games. It was the impetus for the Waterloo Region community college to sign two of their players this spring, said Nolan.
“I want them to dream and dream big. Someone is always watching. Be that change in your community,” he said. “Winning is great. Losing, not so much fun, but at least we tried.
“I want the girls to have the guts to try, and if they fail then lose graciously and smile. I see it
now with my teams. The stronger girls are always trying to help and offer advice.
“My ultimate goal is to get these girls as much exposure as possible. I’m happy they are continuing on to post-secondary education and playing varsity ball,” said Nolan.
Team Flight currently includes Madelyn Strongitharm, who is from Beamsville and is very likely to land on a post-secondary women’s basketball team.
“Team Flight has made such an impact on me this year. This was my first year, and the players were so nice and welcoming, and everyone plays as a team,” said Strongitharm.
“The coaching is awesome, and I always enjoy playing for the team.
“This team has allowed me to become more confident playing with people I don’t know, and make new friends.”