‘World’s most unique basketball tournament’ in Halifax highlights more than athletics

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N.S. basketball tournament highlights more than athletics

Full Court 21 hits Halifax

The self-described “world’s most unique basketball tournament” arrived at Square Town Courts in Halifax Saturday.

It’s every player for themselves – with no teammates – in the Full Court 21 Canada Tournament, but local ballers playing solo are hardly alone. Full Court 21 tournaments will come to more than 30 cities across four continents this year.

“It’s all about community,” said Will Strickland, Full Court 21 Canada’s director of operations. The event is celebrating its 10th year in Canada. Strickland says it’s a celebration of basketball across the country.

“We communicate through the game, utilize the game as a platform to talk about things. Like, we have a thing called Ladies First – our speaker series on women of colour in sneaker culture and basketball.”

Strickland joined CTV Atlantic’s Brianne Foley in studio Friday with Solitha Shortte, the CEO of Soli Production Management in Halifax and the curator of the speaker series. She said their message for women is about confidence.

“I think owning your confidence starts from inside,” Shortte said.

Strickland said the partnership is about being better allies to women in these spaces which is why he went to Shortte, who is an icon in the local fashion industry.

“It only made sense to go to the boss lady,” Strickland said.

Fashion has always crossed over with sport but Shortte says that tying her industry to basketball only scratches the surface.

“Fashion belongs in all spaces.”

Shortte says it doesn’t matter if you’re in sneakers or heels, confidence comes from the freedom to express yourself.

“It’s an individual thing,” she said. “You express yourself and through that expression that confidence follows, whether it’s on the court or you’re on a runway with the Mills Halifax Fashion Week coming through, it’s all about celebrating you and celebrating women and the power that we stand in.”

Shortte said fashion is about defying standards and conventions – just like the world’s most unique basketball tournament where Canada’s confidence and Strickland’s coaching have led to five straight all-world championships for Canadians.

“Going for our sixth,” he said.

Halifax is one of the last stops on the Full Court 21 tour. Next weekend’s event in Toronto is the last Canadian date. Winners will be flown to New York City for the all-world finals on Aug. 19.

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