National Preparatory Association Announces Canada Topflight Academy as Fifth Member
The National Preparatory Association is proud to announce its fifth official member, Canada Topflight Academy out of Ottawa, Ontario.
The program is run by Tony House, a cornerstone in the Ottawa basketball community; will be coached by Carleton University and Canada Basketball Junior Academy coach, Aaron Blakely.
House and Blakely came together to create this program in order to provide an opportunity for elite basketball players out of the Ottawa region.
Over the years, the nation’s capital has produced some big names, but the top-tier players have all left for opportunities south of the border, to play against tougher competition. Xavier’s Eddie Ekiyor, Harvard’s Corey Johnson, and Boston College’s Olivier Hanlan all developed in the Ottawa region, but left for prep opportunities in the States.
CTA has aligned itself with the Ottawa Catholic School Board to launch this program, and their players will enrol at Notre Dame High School as full time students. They will go to class there, and be supported by their teaching staff and guidance counsellors; the program will compete as Canada Topflight Academy in the National Preparatory Association, in addition to an independent schedule featuring competition in Canada and the U.S
“From an academic standpoint, they will graduate with an Ontario Secondary School diploma, which ranks amongst the best in the world,” said Program Director Tony House.
“From a basketball standpoint; with our Board of Directors of Leo Rautins, Dave Smart, Milt Palacio, and myself, I think we’ve got a great network and a lot of experience in developing basketball players. On the coaching side, hiring Aaron Blakely and Willy Manigat puts us in very good hands.”
The program will coach up their student-athletes academically and athletically with emphasis on both elements.
“We are going to create opportunities for our student-athletes. If the kid deserves the attention, we will make the call. Our board has connections at all levels of basketball, right up to Team Canada, to pro ball in Europe, to the NBA.”
Ottawa now has a breeding ground for the region’s top basketball prospects–Canada Topflight Academy.
CTA joins New Brunswick’s Rothesay Netherwood, Quebec’s Thetford Academy and Toronto’s St Mike’s and TBA.
Welcome to the National Preparatory Association–A Nation Inspired. #NPA
To learn more about CTA email Thouse@canadatopflight.com
