Lori (Black) Hiscock (1997–2003)

In 1997 the Gateway Community Centre was contacted by Mike Ruta asking for their support and involvement in creating a basketball league for youth. I was at this time a Gateway Community Centre board member (Baseball Convenor) and immediately wanted the club to participate. I had spent my Junior and Senior school years living in the suburbs of Montreal and played basketball in a league such as what I thought Mike Ruta was proposing. I recognized that this could open the door to entry level basketball to many children. Children that perhaps were unable due to costs or lack of interest in other winter sports such as hockey could then have an additional option in winter. The way I saw Basketball was that it was low cost and inclusive, entry level for all ages - just bring some runners and you are on your way to play!

Gateway at this time was a fast and growing Community Club and volunteers were being spread thin. It was due to having played myself in such a league that Mike’s idea was easy to visualize, I was all in and was able to convince the Gateway Community Club board to participate especially since I agreed to be the basketball convenor for Gateway. This entailed taking care not only getting the word out- advertising, but registration for all ages, ordering and distributing the uniforms. I was fortunate to be able to team up with Jan (Mashinter) Voss, the Valley Gardens Convenor and also a WMBA board member by getting the coaches, gyms and referees lined up for each of the teams. It was by working together that we were able to ensure that all children that registered had a team and a place to play.

By the second year it was evident that the league needed policies and procedures for this fast-expanding league. Jan and I worked diligently over many months to draft what we thought was required. Once the draft policies and procedures were completed, they were presented to the rest of the board for editing and approval. With these policies and procedures, the WMBA ensured that a Fair Play philosophy was upheld and that the core values of the organization were represented.

One of the successes that I feel is worth highlighting was that at the beginning the WMBA league recognized it was a challenge to provide and promote basketball to youth girls. The WMBA board realized that there was a disproportionate gap in girls enrolment and participation compared to boys and was committed to trying to improving it. I was able to take the lead on developing an advertising campaign that would focus on improving girls participation with the emphasis targeting girls at risk. The campaign was named “Girl, She’s Got Game!” and was a huge success over the years and continues to this day.

My participation in the annual Hoopfest was a given. Hoopfest was one of the most successful and fun events of the season for players, this annual event was meant for all players to show off their skills and have some fun doing it! Another huge success for WMBA.

Throughout the time I spent on the WMBA board I worked in several capacities; Vice-President of Administration; Chairperson of the Discipline Committee including the WMBA designate on the Board of Basketball Manitoba for several years. It would be remiss of me if I didn’t say how grateful I am to Mike Ruta for his vision and that I am honoured and proud to have been one of the founding members of the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association. To have worked along side such dedicated, committed people like Mike, Jan (Mashinter) Voss, Larry Kabez, Dale Gamey and Adam Wedlake was a privilege.

Thank you to all the board members, coaches, convenors, parents, players, referees and volunteers over the last 25 years and congratulations WMBA on your 25th year anniversary!