The Western Basketball Association
(WBA) leagues offer adult and
youth of both genders the opportunity to develop and
showcase their skills within the community. Being a
member of the various communities in Western Jamaica
for almost two (2) decades, it was apparent that
there was limited opportunity for youth to
participate in organized sport.
Many individuals chose a life filled with dangerous
and criminal activity over other healthy, promising
ambitions. The WBA league was developed leagues and
tournaments based on the strongly recognized need to
have youth of Western Jamaica engage in positive
activity at a critical age. By providing youth
within the community an alternative to a life filled
with hardships, the WBA offers hope, inspiration,
and a sense of belongingness. This organization will
actively promote the growth of community for people
of all races, religions, ages and genders as well as
prepare and encourage the community to believe and
participate in positive and life changing events.
HISTORY
From what has been relayed down
through the years, in
the 1970's the Chinese Association started a
basketball club called the Knicks. They often
traveled to Kingston the capital city of Jamaica to play. Richard McGhie
begun his playing days with the Knicks, whom later
went on to become the first ever player outside of Kingston to
captain the Jamaica National team. There were
no organized competitions for many years, however
the Montego Bay Boys and Girls Club provided a venue
for upcoming enthusiasts to play as time went by.
With the arrival
of the NBA via cable TV, the sport of basketball
exploded giving rise to a resurgent group of young
volunteers. In 1994, the Western Basketball Association (WBA)
was formed. Top priority
for the WBA is to develop the game of basketball
and foster particpation within the four Western parishes of
Jamaica which includes Hanover, St.
James, Trelawny and Westmoreland. Membership provide
members access to the latest information via
newsletters and emails. Insurance coverage for
teams and leagues, and create continued developmental
clinics for its players, coaches and officials.
The WBA is a
member of Jamaica Basketball Association (JABA) and
is headquartered in the city of Montego Bay.
Overview
The
WBA is the governing and controlling body for the
sport of basketball in Western Jamaica – overseeing
and developing the sport at all levels.
Objectives:
The
objectives of the Association include:
- The
establishment of Life skills and Development
Camps for the players
- The
implementation of local and regional
coaching workshops and
symposia to accredit
local and regional coaches
- The
implementation of local and regional
officiating workshops and
symposia to
accredit local and regional
officials
- The
organization of local community and regional
basketball leagues
- To grow the
sport through the medium of
"mini-basketball" at the prep/primary school
and community levels
- To
implement strategies towards strengthening
of the Association
Governance
Its Board of Directors governs
the WBA. The Board is compromised of the executive
members of the WBA and representatives of each of
its affiliates.
The members of the WBA Executive are as follows:
Updated December 20, 2009
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