Building Healthy & Vibrant Communities Starts Here

As a middle school principal, I've had the privilege of witnessing the positive impact of the Play Forever Program firsthand. This 3-on-3 basketball initiative has been a powerful force in our school community, providing students with a free afterschool opportunity that not only builds athletic skills but also emphasizes respect, responsibility, and making positive choices. On Play Forever days, I saw students—especially those who are often disengaged—show up to school excited and ready to participate. The energy was contagious, and the sense of belonging was unmistakable. What truly sets Play Forever apart is the presence of dedicated volunteers and mentors, including student-athletes from the UVIC Vikes. These role models connected authentically with our students and offered a glimpse of what life and success can look like beyond middle school. Play Forever has made a meaningful difference for our youth here at Spencer Middle School, and I'm grateful for the continued partnership and the commitment to helping kids stay on the right path.

Partnering with PlayForever and starting up the Breakfast Hoops program has, in a short amount of time, had a strong impact in the Westshore community. PlayForever has made a welcoming space where participants are both learning both basketball and basic culinary skills. Through these two components, PlayForever is helping to nourish and build community among those who need it most. Since most of the participants are new Canadians, the program has been instrumental in giving these youth the opportunity to build relationships—something many of them haven't had the chance to do before. After the very first session, a parent of one of the participants approached PlayForever and me to express how grateful they were for the program. Being new to Canada, their child had not yet made any friends, and this was the first opportunity to do so. You could truly see the impact it had on the family and how hopeful the parent was that their child might make even one meaningful connection. All of this is in addition to the programs PlayForever has developed with SD62, providing middle schoolers with after-school activities that foster community, leadership skills, and simply keep them engaged and out of trouble. As the Westshore Parks & Recreation contact for PlayForever's programs here, I believe it would be tremendous to have them continue with us and build on the momentum they've so quickly created.

My role in the school district is to support Indigenous student engagement and I have seen the benefits of the Play Forever program in action at Journey Middle School! Play Forever is an accessible, inclusive, and welcoming program where students have felt comfortable, engaged, and celebrated while having fun and building a stronger school community. There are so many ways the Play Forever program supports students. Having pizza at every session is a fun bonus for some students, but for many other students, including those at our school who have to travel 90 minutes home after the program ends at 5:00PM, it is an essential part of making the program inclusive and supportive. Play Forever also brings in diverse adult guests and coaches, which shows the students that people of all backgrounds are valued. Play Forever encourages positive and respectful interaction between students, which strengthens the school culture and builds the confidence of many students. While providing all of these amazing supports to students, Play Forever also helps students improve their basketball skills and promotes student health and well-being through physical activity. I have personally witnessed multiple students gain notable confidence through their 6 weeks in the program. Confidence in their basketball abilities, but also confidence in themselves and in their role as important school community members. I look forward to continuing to connect students with the Play Forever program and building on the amazing successes that have taken place during this inaugural season in our school district.

The Play Forever coaches are dedicated to developing fundamental basketball skills while prioritizing the cultivation of core values—respect for oneself, teammates, and the integrity of the game itself. Through their thoughtful approach, these coaches are creating meaningful impact in the lives of the students involved.

Thank you so so much for making basketball meaningful for me. I honestly couldn't imagine basketball being fun.

I am really grateful for playing with you guys. It is really teaching me a lot. Thank you.

Thank you Play Forever! Play Forever has been an amazing time. It's a great community and place based on respect. It gives opportunities to students like me to play and love the sport of basketball. As for what it means to me, it really changed my perspective of basketball. I used to think that it was just about shots and scoring but while playing at Play Forever I realized it's all about the memories and dimes.

Since I was 9/10 I had a dream to play on a basketball team or be in a basketball community. Since my parents had to focus on my figure skating bills, I didn't have many opportunities until my friend recommended Play Forever. Play Forever was a massive opportunity for me to finally be able to play basketball and have fun. It also teaches people to show respect. It was great playing with Play Forever.

Play Forever is a very welcoming and supporting basketball community. At Play Forever we not only improve our basketball skills, as well as emotional control, communication, respect, gratitude and sportsmanship. All the coaches are really kind, supportive and encouraging. Some coaches tell us personal stories about how they overcame certain obstacles in life and how using, for example, communication is important. This not only helps us grow in basketball but as a person too. Everyone at Play Forever is so welcoming and respectful, not just the coaches – the players too! The second I walked into the gym for the first time, there were coaches and players coming up to me to welcome me. The coaches tell us to carry the respect and gratitude we learn at Play Forever to wherever we go, helping us build a respectful and kind community.

Play Forever has meant a lot to me because it helped me make new friends and get better at basketball.

Play Forever taught me to be respectful and it means a lot for me. I will always be grateful of what it taught me.

Play Forever is really fun, and all the people here are really kind and supportive. I have really enjoyed coming here. Thank you so much for all the time you have put into this for us.

Play Forever is a place where others can support their peers and have fun and eat snacks hehehe. Thank you coaches.

Play Forever is respectful and fun and has great and supporting teams. Thank you for taking your time to coach us!!

The 3v3 helped me improve with shooting and learning how to respect people with how to play basketball.

What Play Forever means to me is respect. For example, if someone misses a shot you can give them a high five and give them pointers/tips on what they can do to get that perfect swish the next play. Play Forever is also an opportunity to meet new friends, have fun, and play together. That's what Play Forever means to me.

3v3 Forever taught me about this loving and fun community.

3v3 helped me improve on respect.

3v3 Play Forever has been so much fun. I met lots of new wonderful people and learned how respect is so important. I would like to thank Coach Clint, Whitney, Nate, Chad, Gord, Damien, Shibby and Rondo for always being there to teach us more about basketball and respect. I would finally like to thank Lorraine for greeting me and giving snacks out.

Play Forever means to me when I joined this team everyone was so kind and I wish I could stay in this team forever!

I feel safe around Play Forever.

Play Forever to me means respect to everyone and appreciate everyone.

Play Forever was a really fun experience and I felt like I was in a community. There was a lot of sportsmanship, gratitude and respect.