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
Back in
the 1970's the Chinese Association started a
basketball club called the Knicks. They often
traveled to Kingston to play. Richard McGhie
started to his playing days with the Knicks. he
became the first ever player outside of Kingston to
have captained 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.
In 1994, the Western Basketball Association (WBA)
was formed. The level of competition has been no
surprise to the players in the region. Top priority
for the WBA is to develop the game of basketball
within the county of Cornwall. The County of
Cornwall consists of the Parishes of Hanover, St.
James, Trelawny and Westmoreland. We are now the
leading resource for basketball this side of the
island. A membership in the WBA provide members
access to the latest information via newsletters,
web pages and email, provides insurance coverage for
teams and leagues, and creates developmental
programs for the parishes athletes and coaches.
Basketball has exploded in Jamaica with the arrival
of the NBA via cable TV and the WBA has grown along with it
especially since 1997. The WBA is a
member of Jamaica Basketball Association (JABA) and
is located 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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