Basketball Tournament for Special Olympics

On Saturday, February 11th, Durham Regional Police Service's (DRPS) Youth in Policing (YIP) Initiative hosted a basketball tournament in partnership with Special Olympics Ontario! The Basketball Tournament aims to connect Special Olympic athletes with YIP students to build positive relationships through sport.

The event had over 100 attendees including nine athletes, their families, DRPS members, and YIP students. The day began with inspirational words from DRPS Chief Administrative Officer Stan MacLellan, followed by a surprise visit from the DRPS Canine Unit! Participants rotated between basketball games, skills, drills, and fun activities throughout the day. The day ended with a final game between the top two teams, and then an awards ceremony to celebrate the athletes' success.

Athletes and their families remarked on how exciting the day was and expressed their appreciation for the positive connections they were able to form. The Basketball Tournament provided an opportunity to improve community unity while providing an experience to remember. YIP members demonstrated excellent leadership skills and built mentorship relationships with the athletes. The YIP team is grateful for all who participated and is looking forward to hosting our next tournament in 2024!

The YIP program is currently accepting applications for our 2023 Summer Initiative! Check out www.drps.ca./yip for more information, email us at youthinpolicing@drps.ca or visit our social media accounts; @drps_yip.