The Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council is inviting young basketball players from St. Theresa Point, Manitoba, to sign up for the Storm Basketball program. Registration for the 2026 season opened on March 2 and will continue until March 27, 2026. This program gives local youth a chance to join an organized league and gain experience playing against teams in the city.
Players who join the program will compete in the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association from April to June 2026. This initiative is designed to help athletes from the St. Theresa Point Thunderbirds and other local clubs access higher levels of coaching and travel opportunities. The program aims to help more Indigenous youth move from community sports into provincial systems.
St. Theresa Point is a fly-in community located about 610 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg and is usually only accessible by plane, boat, or winter road. Because of this isolation, the council works to coordinate travel and support for remote athletes so they can participate in games held in the city. Mel Whitesell, the council’s executive director, has long supported these efforts to provide better access for northern players.
The sports council has a history of supporting local talent, with athletes from the region such as Sage Handel and Alex Okemow receiving recognition for their skills. By opening registration for the Storm Basketball program, the organization hopes to continue building a path for young players to develop their skills on a larger stage. Families interested in the 2026 spring and summer season can sign up through the council’s official registration portal this month.
