About Us
We are a dedicated basketball academy offering proper teaching and mentorship of basketball training and life lessons to both boys and girls from grades 1 to 12 (ages; 6 to 18).
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Our focus is on building student athletes of great character, tremendous talent and team players. We are passionate about helping every student achieve their maximum potential through our programs and we believe strongly in developing our students both in and outside of basketball.
Our key components are:
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Accepting all genders and age (grades 1 - 12)
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Helping all skill levels of basketball players reach the next level.
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Providing children an opportunity to maximize their talent, grow within the sport of basketball, and develop leadership qualities for success in and outside of basketball.
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Offering a consistent basketball curriculum to teach basketball fundamentals, skills development, offensive and defensive drills etc.
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We hold true to our Core-Methodology and fundamental approach to developing our students every aspect of both basketball and life. Though our mission may evolve overtime, our promise to our students will always remain; to develop great students with positive and passionate outlook to life. Come join us and lets take your skills to the next level! ​​
Coach alex
Alex was first introduced to basketball by Coach Labefo at an early age, basketball soon became his world and would take him to the highest levels of basketball and places he would otherwise have never seen, including 4 continents, more than 30 countries and an education worth the world. As an athlete Alex played NCAA division one Basketball at Rider University on a full basketball scholarship. Played for Coach Bill Lewit while leading the college Basketball team to a 25-8 record and a regional championship, the first in the school history. Played for the all time winingest College Basketball coach (Coach Gene Bess) in US history. Played 6 years of professional Basketball all over Europe, and Coached intermediate Basketball in Europe. Basketball gave Alex the world and Alex's passion is giving basketball to the world in return. Alex is blessed with four children and has a B.Sc. in Business Management from Rider University.
Alex's passion is to continuously develop and foster our basketball program to a level of producing highly skilled student athletes of character, whom are great team players, exceptional and positive influences to their various community.
Alex places great emphasis on a student athlete current abilities and skills needed to be successful at all levels while enabling the student athletes to be the best they can be through easy to understand methods and progressions.
Coach Vincent
Coach Vince started playing basketball in grade 5 during recess and fell in love with the game ever since. He played on his junior high and high school senior teams. He played point guard and helped lead his teams to many deep playoff runs and tournament wins. He continued his passion for the game past high school and joined men's league teams the next few years.
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Now well into his 40's, his love for the game is still going strong. When he enrolled his son Ethan into TNBA 2 years ago and watched him from the stands, he knew that he wanted to get involved and help. Coach Alex gave him the opportunity and he haven't looked back since.
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Coach Vince coaching philosophy is simple: "respect the game, respect your teammates, communicate, outwork and outsmart your opponents. If you can pair a relentless work ethic with smarts and skill, you will be unstoppable. Always strive to be a better player than you were the day before. Always keep working on your craft. Never stop learning and asking questions. Fear nothing and be humble as you dominate. Basketball is a beautiful sport. The sound of the ball ripping the mesh, the way the ball finds energy as it moves between each player that touches the ball; that all ignites and energizes the team. The foot work, the hustle, the brother and sisterhood that comes out of the team experience is priceless."
Coach Vince is always watching and continue to learn about basketball. The game has changed, "so as a coach you must learn to adapt as well. I hope the kids here at TNBA learn a few things from me, and I know I will also learn a few things from them."
Coach Tristan
Tristan’s two main advocacies in life are youth and environment. Supporting youth by engaging them into sports and supporting environment by engaging environmental awareness and the importance of its protection. His favorite leisure activity is playing, watching, reading, anything about basketball. Basketball is by far his favorite thing in this world. Tristan picked up a basketball at the age of eight. He has played all his life ever since. His parents supported him with his early love for basketball by enrolling him to B.E.S.T. Center sponsored by Milo back in 1992 up to 1996. The program B.E.S.T. stands for Basketball Efficiency & Scientific Training Center which continuous to be the benchmark of basketball training in the Philippines. It is a dream of a lot of young boys to grow up and join a professional basketball league and Tristan was one of them. Tristan ended up becoming the analyst of the game instead of being the MVP of the game. Till date, Tristan and his family continuously sponsors small community leagues in the Philippines.
Since his moved to Canada in 2017, his love of the game has guided him into coaching and that summer, he’s gotten the chance to work in the TNBA. “I actually reached out to Coach Alex because my son is enrolled to his TNBA trial clinic” said Tristan. Coach Alex gave Tristan an opportunity and has given the task to coach U11 Red and he will be forever thankful.
Tristan’s coaching philosophy centers around three core principles - commitment, selflessness, and teamwork. His coaching system elevates players to play beyond their skill level where it is built around getting open looks around the rim. He freely gives credit to the players when they win, and takes accountability when they lose. His philosophy is “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game”. Lastly, his inspiration to become a successful coach is the late coach Jerry Sloan of the Utah Jazz.
Our Coaches/Instructors are former professional Basketball players that have played the game at a higher level and for various successful coaches. They are practitioners of the game therefore they are better positioned to teach our methodology.​
Why Us
True North Basketball Academy offers a wealth of training sessions all year round for individuals and groups with emphasis on breaking down the fundamentals of the game into various steps, and as such allowing us to teach the proper techniques with drills proven to provide results as well as target our students conditioning in a positive and encouraging atmosphere.
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Basketball Camps; Skills development and building lasting friendships with other students.
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Basketball Clinics; Fundamentals, different coaching styles and skills development.
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Group Training; Fundamentals, skills development, conditioning, and drills in smaller group.
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Team Training; Offensive/defensive drills from a different coaching style.
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Workshops and Specialty Clinics; Tailored program to meet your team/group needs.
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Conditioning; Conditioning drills coupled with skills development.
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Invitational Sessions; skills development, and advance offensive/defensive drills.
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Overseas Tournament; Traveling and competing at various other countries.
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Private Training; Working on various components (shooting, dribbling, passing, offensive and defensive drills, rebounding, defense, and conditioning) of the game.
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Motivational Speaking; Positive, motivational and encouraging workshop about life and the benefit of sport.​
Our Programs & Camps
Our programs are:
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After-School/In-School Programs
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House & Local League Games
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Team Training Programs/Clinics
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Local & International Tournaments
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Spring, Summer & Winter Camps
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Individual/Group Training Programs
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Invitational Only Clinic
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Motivational Speaking
Benefits
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True North Basketball Academy believes passionately that through practice and specialized training, basketball skills are developed and students learn the most at practices that are both educational and entertaining, and that's why we offer camps, clinics, workshops, private and group lessons all year round.
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We tailor our teachings of basketball fundamentals with advance basketball techniques to "group specific" in a positive and encouraging atmosphere that allow our students to grow and achieve their goals of playing basketball at all levels. We provide our student athletes the opportunity of defining their basketball future.
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Our Mission
Our mission is to provide student athletes a well rounded developmental program for all ages and abilities, using basketball as an excellent avenue to teach moral principles and characteristics such as Self-Confidence, Discipline, Dedication, and Teamwork while having fun. And as such developing their athletic skills, leadership skills, work ethic, world view and enhancing their commitment to a goal.
Our commitment to our student athletes is helping them achieve and surpass their expectations through our basketball programs (clinics, camps, overseas tournaments, private and group lessons, skills development, workshops, and motivational speaker forums).
Our Mission
Our Values
Deliver an extraordinary experience to our student-athletes:
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Teach self-confidence, dedication, team-work, focus, passion and disciplined.
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Teach respect for self and other athletes, officials and coaches.
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Teach having and accomplishing long term goals.
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Teach and relate importance of progression, small achievements and success.
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Offer opportunities to create life-long friendships, memories and achievement.
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Teach and promote physical health.
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Teach and develop attributes that will serve our student-athletes throughout their lives and prepare them for life challengers.
Our Vision
Our vision is to provide quality training for all levels of student athletes from beginner to collegiate level, teach sound technical skills, offer positive and passionate methodology to help our students grow as athletes, advice and connect our students with opportunities to play at all levels, teach essential sportsmanship, respect, accountability and teamwork. And for us to be responsive, open, and communicative academy to our students, their parents, their school or organization.
Our Policies
Programs
Participants - Students - Athletes wishing to withdraw from program(s) may do so up to two (2) weeks before the scheduled start date of the program and/or before the registration deadline date (if stated) for a full refund less $30 registration fee (non-refundable). In case of illness or injury to a registered participant; a doctor's note must accompany a refund request. There is NO refund once the program has started.
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In the case of unusual circumstance such as; covid-19, a pandemic etc. resulting in a program suspension, postponement and/or cancellation on our part; credit will be issued towards a subsequent session
in the near future and/or within a calendar year.
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For Overseas Trip/Tournaments; student - athletes wishing to withdraw may do so up to Four (4) weeks prior to departure for a full refund less $200 registration fee (non-refundable). Availability on the day of departure and/or for the trip are the responsibility of the student athlete and his/her family. There is no refund within four (4) weeks of departure or due to missed flight.
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* Refund for POSTPONED programs due to the AHS and GOA COVID-19 restrictions will NOT be available at this time, however credit will be issued towards a subsequent session in the near future or within a calendar year.
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COVID-19 Summer Camp Refund Policy:
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Our camps and programs depends on the Alberta Health Services (AHS) public health guidelines for Basketball, including our TNBA COVID-19 Special Precaution Guidelines for all Participants, Families and Coaches.
Read further details about our COVID-19 special precaution and guidelines here...
Should our camps/programs be cancelled before the starting date due to COVID-19 restrictions/requirements; participants registration fees will be applied to a subsequent camp and/or program within a calendar year!
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Gear/Uniform
Merchandise may be returned for a full refund if not wore and it's still in it's original packaging less shipping. Any shipping cost incurred to return a product will not be refunded. There is the option to return the merchandise in person during program(s) session.
Privacy
As per compliance with legislation: we collect your personal information as to communicate solely with you in-regards to our programs, and all related health and safety matters. The personal information collected may be shared with health care providers in case of medical emergency, and for insurance coverage. We will not disclose or use your personal information for any reason in exception of our programs and all related matters. The information will not be release to a third party without your consent.
Waiver/Release
Our terms of service and parent's/participant's agreement is: I, the undersigned, realizing that there is risk inherent in any recreational and competitive activity, and in consideration of my (my child) being allowed to participate in this activity, I assume all risks in connection of this activity. I further agree to release, indemnify, and hold harmless the True North Basketball Academy, the parent company: Big A Industry Inc., its officers, officials, coaches, other participants, employees, and agents from any and all claims and liabilities of any type whatsoever, and for damages to, loss or destruction of any property or injury, sickness or death which may now or hereafter arise out of, result from, or in any way be connected with my participation in this activity. I understand it is my responsibility to obtain health insurance. I grant True North Basketball Academy permission to seek medical treatment for myself (my child) in the event I am unavailable or unable. I acknowledge that True North Basketball Academy may utilize my name, address, and likeness and hereby waive all rights to compensation for their use in the promotion and operation of True North Basketball Academy. I further state that I am of lawful age and legally competent to sign this release, that I understand the terms herein are contractual and are not mere recital; and that I have signed this document of my own free act.
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If you have question(s) or comment(s) regarding our Policies, please write to us at info@truenorthbasketballacademy.com or call us at +1(780) 232-8598
