AUNDECK OMNI KANING—For several years Noojmowin Teg Health Centre healthy youth program coordinator Mark Peltier has been running a series of recreational sports events for youth on Manitoulin, enticing semi-pro athletes from hockey and basketball teams to come and interact with the youth. This year, Mr. Peltier was able to host a one-hour basketball clinic featuring two members of the Sudbury Five basketball team.
Through his program, Mr. Peltier helps provide programming for youth in several sports, including hockey, soccer, golf, basketball, volleyball, bowling, swimming and badminton. His success in attracting athletes to assist with his work comes from knowing the power of picking up the phone and simply asking.
“I reached out to the Sudbury Five this year and they said they would be happy to help,” he said. The result were two outstanding players coming to the Four Directions Complex in Aundeck Omni Kaning to help Island youth up their basketball chops.
DeVante Jamison, a 5’8” point guard from Dorchester, Massachusetts, signed with the Sudbury Five for the 2025/26 Basketball Super League season. He joined Nervens Demosthene, a 6’2” guard from Terrebonne, Quebec who is returning to the Sudbury Five for the 2025/26 season in taking Island youth attending the November 24 workshop through several drills and a scrimmage.
Judging from the excited interplay between the youth and their instructors, the event was an outstanding success.
