OTTAWA BLACKJACKS COMPLETE ITS BASKETBALL OPERATIONS STAFF

Campbell is currently a full-time assistant coach for the Carleton Ravens men’s basketball team. A native of Sudbury and Waterloo, Campbell serves as an assistant coach for Canada Topflight Academy. Former head coach of Team Ontario, Campbell also worked as an assistant coach for Wilfrid Laurier University men’s basketball team from 2012-2018. Campbell played university basketball at both Wilfried Laurier and Laurentian University. 

Edwards was born in Ottawa and grew up in Gatineau, Quebec, where he played collegiate basketball at Heritage College. He coached club, high school, and college programs across the Nation’s Capital region for more than 10 years. Edwards coached the men’s basketball program at Heritage College for six years, winning the program’s first provincial championship. Most recently, he joined Brock University men’s basketball program as the lead assistant coach. Prior to coaching, Edwards served as an educator at the high school level. He holds a Master of Education degree in Coaching Studies and Athletics from the University of Victoria.

A First-Team All Canadian who won a national championship with the Carleton Ravens in 2003, Maseruka was born in Uganda and raised in Ottawa. Maseruka started playing basketball for St. Patrick High School in Ottawa. Following his five years wearing the Ravens’ uniform, the point guard played as a pro for two seasons overseas. He spent the 2004-05 campaign in Iceland and the following season in Qatar. In 2015, the law graduate came back where it all started and served as an assistant coach for the Carleton men’s basketball team. Maseruka has been working as a police officer in Ottawa for more than 12 years. 

Dr. Curran completed her undergraduate degree in Biology at Queen’s University and medical school at Dalhousie University. She completed her Family Medicine residency and Sport Medicine Fellowship at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Curran is currently the team physician for the Carleton Ravens Men’s Football team and has worked with various other varsity teams, including Men’s and Women’s Soccer and Women’s Basketball. Dr. Curran has been a team physician with the Canadian Women’s National Basketball program since 2011. She has also worked with the Canadian Men’s National Ski Team. Serving major multi-sport Games as well, Dr. Curran was a member of the medical team for the 2013 Summer Universiade, 2015 Winter Universiade, 2015 Pan American Games, and 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio.

Pereira, the club’s athletic therapist, was born in Dubai and raised Toronto. He is a Certified Athletic Therapist and Registered Kinesiologist. He graduated from York University in 2012 with a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology and an Athletic Therapy Certificate. Since then, he has been a head therapist with Niagara College, Ottawa Fury FC (USL), and the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games. Pereira is the owner of Athletic Therapy Guy, offering high performance consulting and sports rehabilitation services.

The BlackJacks announced last week their first-ever training camp will be held at TD Place Arena in the nation’s capital from July 17-22, 2020. With more than three-quarters of its team roster and basketball operation staff currently residing in Ottawa, and under strict adherence with local, provincial and federal health regulations, the BlackJacks will prepare for the upcoming CEBL Summer Series in their home market.

The BlackJacks will travel to Niagara Region on July 23 to complete training camp and prepare for the round robin competition that will culminate in crowning the second-year league’s 2020 champion. The timing of the CEBL Summer Series, subject to the status of the province of Ontario’s phased in reopening, will make the CEBL the first professional league in Canada to return to play following the COVID-19 outbreak in March.

The 26-game CEBL Summer Series tips off Saturday, July 25 as the Ottawa BlackJacks play their first game in franchise history as part of a nationally televised double-header on CBC. Ottawa will face the Guelph Nighthawks at 3:50 p.m. following the opening game between the Hamilton Honey Badgers and Niagara River Lions, which starts at 1:30 p.m. 

Quotes:

“We’re happy to complete our coaching staff with a group of experienced coaches who will each bring their own unique skill set to the team. These coaches have had the chance to work with some of our players in the past, which will maximize our time leading up to the Summer Series.”

- Dave Smart, General Manager

Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club

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The first expansion franchise of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Ottawa BlackJacks will showcase the best of basketball and entertainment in the nation’s capital. Basketball Operations will be led by General Manager, Dave Smart, the most successful university coach in Canadian history with a total of 13 national titles at Carleton University. The BlackJacks will be a team deeply rooted in the Ottawa / Gatineau community. Head Coach Osvaldo Jeanty, a former student-athlete who captured five national championships as a player for Dave Smart, will bring together a group of professionals poised for success in its inaugural season. The BlackJacks will play its home games out of the world-class Arena at TD Place. For more information and for tickets, visit www.theblackjacks.ca.

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) features world-class professional basketball in a fan-friendly entertainment environment across seven cities in Canada. The 2019 inaugural season saw more than 100 Canadian and international players take to the court, culminating with the Saskatchewan Rattlers earning the first CEBL championship trophy. CEBL players come from NBA G-League clubs, top NCAA programs, the Canadian national program, U SPORTS and other Division 1 FIBA leagues. The CEBL is the First Division Professional League partner of Canada Basketball. 

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Marika Guérin

Manager, Communications and Events

Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club