In the heart of Regina’s North Central neighborhood, the squeak of basketball shoes against polished hardwood echoes through a community center gymnasium. Here, 14-year-old Adnan practices his three-point shot with newfound confidence. Just eight months ago, he arrived in Saskatchewan from Syria, speaking minimal English and feeling isolated in his new Canadian home.
“Basketball is the same in any language,” Adnan tells me with a shy smile during a water break. “Here, I don’t need perfect English to belong.”
Adnan is one of thirty-six youth participating in Regina’s Newcomer Basketball Initiative, a free six-week program designed specifically for immigrant and refugee youth between ages 10-17. The program, now in its third year, has seen participation double since its inception, reflecting both growing need and word-of-mouth success among Regina’s newcomer communities.
“We’re not just teaching basketball skills,” explains program coordinator Samantha White from the Regina Community Association. “We’re creating a space where these kids can build friendships, improve their English through natural conversation, and most importantly, feel part of something when so much in their lives has been disrupted.”
The initiative bridges multiple social gaps through strategic partnerships. Funding comes jointly from Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Immigration and Career Training and the Canadian Tire Jumpstart program, while coaching support draws from University of Regina’s varsity basketball players who volunteer weekly.
Regina Cougars point guard Marcus Thompson has been volunteering since the program began. “These kids teach me more than I teach them,” he explains while demonstrating dribbling techniques. “Their resilience is unbelievable. Some have survived experiences I can’t imagine, yet they show up here with such enthusiasm to learn.”
Statistics from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada show Saskatchewan welcomed over 1,700 refugees in 2022 alone, with approximately 40% being under the age of 18. Traditional settlement services focus primarily on housing, language training, and employment for adults, often leaving youth integration as a secondary consideration.
Dr. Amina Ibrahim, a researcher studying newcomer integration at the University of Regina, believes sport programs fill a crucial gap. “Structured activities like this basketball camp address the ‘belonging deficit’ many newcomer youth experience,” she explains during a sideline interview. “Physical activity also helps process trauma in ways that talking therapies alone cannot accomplish.”
The program deliberately incorporates practical life skills beyond basketball fundamentals. Volunteer translators assist with weekly workshops on topics ranging from Canadian winter safety to navigating public transit – everyday challenges that can seem insurmountable to recent arrivals.
Parents observe from bleachers along the gym’s perimeter, many forming their own impromptu support network. Fatima Mohammed, whose two sons participate, tells me this program has transformed their family’s experience in Canada.
“Before, my boys stayed inside our apartment after school, watching videos from our home country,” she says through a translator. “Now they practice English phrases to use at basketball. They have Canadian friends. They feel like they can be part of this place.”
The initiative’s impact extends beyond the gymnasium. Local school teachers report improved classroom participation and social integration among students who attend. Principal Eleanor Greene from Wascana Plains Elementary notes: “We’ve seen remarkable improvements in English acquisition and overall confidence. Sports create natural opportunities for language practice without the pressure of formal instruction.”
Not everyone arrives with basketball experience. The program deliberately includes skill development at all levels, ensuring newcomers with no prior exposure can participate comfortably alongside those who’ve played before.
“I never touched a basketball until three weeks ago,” says 16-year-old Mei, who recently arrived from the Philippines. “Now I can dribble and even make some baskets. The coaches make it fun to try new things.”
Regina police community liaison officer Constable James Wong visits regularly, building positive relationships with youth who might otherwise view authorities with suspicion based on experiences in their countries of origin.
“Many of these kids come from places where police represent something to fear,” Wong explains. “Here, they see me missing easy layups and laughing about it. It humanizes the uniform and shows them that community policing in Canada is different.”
The program culminates in a friendly tournament where participants showcase their skills for family members and community supporters. Last year’s event drew over 200 spectators, including Mayor Sandra Masters, who presented participation medals.
For Adnan and others like him, the basketball court has become more than a place to play – it’s where Canada begins to feel like home.
“I was nervous to come to a new country,” Adnan says, returning to practice with newfound determination. “Now I have friends who help me with my homework. We play basketball on weekends. I’m teaching them words in Arabic, and they teach me Canadian slang.”
As funding partners consider expansion to other Saskatchewan communities, program coordinators are collecting data on long-term outcomes. Early indicators suggest participants show improved school attendance, faster language acquisition, and stronger community connections than peers without structured recreational opportunities.
Perhaps the most telling measure of success comes from 12-year-old Gabriela, who arrived from Venezuela last year: “In my old country, I was always afraid. Here on this court, I can just be a kid again.”
For a few hours each week, basketball transcends sport, becoming instead a powerful tool for belonging in a country these young people are just beginning to call home.
