January 10, 2000
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

NBA/WNBA Sportsmanship Initiative recognizes fair play in Canadian high schools

High school hoopsters, basketball coaches who exemplify fair play, respect and integrity on and off the court, will be honored as part of the 1999-2000 NBA/WNBA Sportsmanship Initiative.

In January 2000 sportsmanship kits containing posters, certificates and nomination cards will arrive at thousands of French and English high schools across Canada. The athletic director at each school is encouraged to nominate one female basketball player, one male basketball player, one female basketball coach and one male basketball coach who have demonstrated the ideals of good sportsmanship this season. The nominated players and coaches will be entered into a random draw and those selected as Sportsmanship Award winners will be honored in a pre-game ceremony at a Toronto Raptors or Vancouver Grizzlies home game in April 2000.

The program also recognizes NBA and WNBA players who exemplify good sportsmanship, as selected by a panel of former NBA players and media. Last year�s Sportsmanship Award winners, Hersey Hawkins of the Chicago Bulls and Dawn Staley of the Charlotte Sting, will featured in a public service announcement touting the benefits of good sportsmanship. The PSA will air on nationally televised CTV and TSN NBA telecasts starting in January.

"We�re happy to promote the NBA/WNBA Sportsmanship Initiative this year, and to be supporting the principles of fair play and positive on-court behavior in Canadian high school," said Bill Gaskey, managing director, NBA Canada Inc. "This program gives us the opportunity to honor the high school athletes and coaches who bring their best to amateur basketball in Canada."

The NBA launched its league-wide sportsmanship initiative in 1996 to recognize players and coaches who demonstrate the ideals of good sportsmanship. The 1999-2000 program is executed in Canada through partnerships between the NBA, the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies, the Canadian School Sport Federation and Canada Basketball. Local high schools interested in participating should contact their provincial school sport federation.

Contact: Angela Park, NBA Canada, (416) 364-2030, ext. 119 or Karen Richard, Newfoundland and Labrador High School Athletic Federation, (709)729-2795 (Tel), (709) 576-7493 (Fax).

2000 01 10                                                 3:25 p.m.