Ottawa BlackJacks Launch BlackJacks Everywhere Tour to Bring Basketball and Community Programming Across the Region
New community initiative will bring BlackJacks programming directly to schools, gyms and communities throughout Ottawa and surrounding areas
OTTAWA, ON – The Ottawa BlackJacks announced today the launch of the BlackJacks Everywhere Tour, a new community initiative designed to bring basketball, movement and meaningful community experiences directly to neighbourhoods throughout Ottawa and the surrounding region.
The BlackJacks Everywhere Tour represents an expanded commitment to connecting with communities beyond the team’s home court at TD Place. Through a growing collection of programs, the BlackJacks will visit schools, community gyms and local organizations across Eastern Ontario, creating opportunities for young people and families to experience basketball in their own communities.
The initiative will reach communities throughout Ottawa as well as surrounding areas including Carleton Place, Smiths Falls, Brockville, Cornwall, Kemptville and Clarence-Rockland to name a few.
“Being Ottawa’s professional basketball team means being part of the entire community, not just on game days,” said Jason Winters, President of the Ottawa BlackJacks. “The BlackJacks Everywhere Tour is about going directly into communities, meeting young people where they are and using basketball to create positive experiences and lasting connections. We want kids throughout our region to feel that the BlackJacks are their team.”
Two programs will help launch the BlackJacks Everywhere Tour: the School Day Roadshow and BlackJacks Mini Camps.
SCHOOL DAY ROADSHOW
The School Day Roadshow brings the BlackJacks directly into local schools for energetic, basketball-focused experiences led by BlackJacks community and basketball staff.
Students participate in sessions built around basketball fundamentals, movement, teamwork, challenges and friendly competition. The program is designed to be inclusive and engaging for students of all experience and skill levels.
The first stop of the School Day Roadshow will take place on September 22 at R. Tait McKenzie Public School in Almonte, Ontario, providing a fitting starting point for the initiative.
Almonte holds a special place in the history of basketball as the birthplace of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game. More than a century after Naismith created basketball, the BlackJacks will begin the Everywhere Tour in the community where his story began.
“Starting in Almonte makes the launch particularly meaningful,” added Winters. “Basketball has grown into a global game, but its roots are right here in our region. Beginning this initiative in the birthplace of James Naismith is a great reminder of the connection our communities have to the game and the opportunity we have to help introduce the next generation to it.”
BLACKJACKS MINI CAMPS
BlackJacks Mini Camps will bring another element of the Everywhere Tour into community gyms across the region.
The camps are designed to give young athletes an engaging basketball experience close to home, combining skill development with movement, teamwork, competition and the energy of the BlackJacks.
The first Mini Camp is scheduled for September 26 at The Carambeck Community Centre in Carleton Place and October 17 in Clarence-Rockland, with additional communities and dates expected to be announced as the program expands. Registrations are open for Carleton Place now.
MORE THAN BASKETBALL
While basketball is at the centre of the Everywhere Tour, the initiative is ultimately about connection.
The BlackJacks believe a professional sports organization can play an important role in strengthening the communities it represents. By taking programming outside of TD Place and into schools, gyms and neighbourhoods, the organization hopes to create more opportunities for young people to be active, build confidence, work together and develop a stronger connection to basketball in their community.
The BlackJacks Everywhere Tour will continue to grow with additional programming, community stops and initiatives planned throughout Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.
For more information about the BlackJacks Everywhere Tour and its community programming, visit the Ottawa BlackJacks website.
ABOUT THE OTTAWA BLACKJACKS
The first expansion franchise of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Ottawa BlackJacks are a professional men’s basketball team competing out of The Arena at TD Place. The club is committed to excellence on-and-off the court and aims to inspire community pride, foster grassroots development and deliver an unparalleled fan experience. For more information, visit theblackjacks.ca.
ABOUT THE CEBL
The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is Canada’s professional basketball league, featuring 10 member clubs across six provinces. Powered by elite talent, a fast-paced game format, and deep community connections, the CEBL delivers high-level basketball and unforgettable summer experiences for fans nationwide.
The league boasts the youngest fan base in Canadian professional sport, half under age 34, and one of the fastest-growing audiences in the country, now reaching nearly 4.1 million Canadians. This momentum reflects the CEBL’s ability to deliver dynamic, thrilling gameplay while connecting deeply with a new generation of fans and expanding basketball’s cultural footprint across Canada.
The CEBL is where elite performance meets homegrown talent. In 2025, 17 players with NBA experience hit the court, while nearly 70% of the league’s roster was Canadian, the highest concentration of domestic talent in any professional sports league in the country. Running from May through August, the CEBL’s season is a showcase of top basketball talent and a summer hub for fast-paced, high-energy fan excitement.
Join us on social media
Instagram: ottawablackjacks
Facebook: OttawaBlackJacks
TikTok: ottawablackjacks
For further information, please contact:
Alex Forbes
Brand and Creative Manager
Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club