About

“Pete” Petersen Basketball League

In 1954 four teams and 40 players under the guidance of Donald “Pete” Petersen started a tradition that grows stronger every year. The league that started out as the st. John’s Parish Basketball League soon became known as the Knights of Columbus Basketball League, a name that it had until the 2015-16 season when the name was changed to what it is today. The current name change was done to honour and respect the memory of the league founder Don “Pete” Petersen, and the legacy that he had as a result of his selfless commitment to the children of the community. The league started play at St. Patrick’s School, and now includes Ecole Cathedrale and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School as sites, with 38 teams, 5 divisions, and over 500 participants annually. Our league motto is “just for the fun of it” with no standings being kept and no playoffs but with every night featuring the competitive spirit of sport. A core of volunteers keep the league flourishing and participation is invited at registration or by seeing one of the convenors at St. Patrick’s School during the league season which runs from September to the end of February.

Purposes of the League

To provide the opportunity for any person, between the ages of 8 – 15 for boys and 8 – 14 for girls, to learn the skills, sportsmanship, and above all, the fun that basketball can be.

To provide youth with the opportunity to volunteer in leadership roles to advance their education, while fulfilling their educational requirements, and to help our volunteers understand the needs of the community for social justice and the promotion of accessibility and authentic community spirit.

To provide opportunities for mentorship between adults and youth to learn and develop leadership skills that can provide league continuity and personal development for volunteers.

The league is to promote, govern, and develop the skills for the game while promoting respect for the game and teammates, better health, fitness and physical literacy for league participants. One aspect of player skill development will be the opportunity for selected players to attend off season development camps at no cost to them.

The league may collaborate with any other league(s) or organization(s) in helping achieve these goals.

• We are committed to maintaining a low, affordable, entry fee to reduce the financial burden of those in our community living in poverty to access regular recreational activity through our program. Providing an opportunity to participate increases the physical literacy of participants, and provides families with a safe, affordable place to come together in the community.
• We will provide accessible, affordable, low cost, sports activity for youth, regardless of skill level, to ensure opportunities to play organized basketball for all registrants.
• Provide the opportunity for the development of referee skills through training and opportunities to practice those skills in game situations under the direction, and mentorship of experienced officials.
• The league shall be carried on without the purpose of gain for any of its members, and any profits or other accretions to the organization shall be used solely to promote the objectives as outlined in Article 2 of the league constitution, and to cover the operating costs of the program as approved by the league executive.

More Than A Slogan

The motto Just For The Fun of It is more than just a saying. The league is about having fun and learning the game of basketball. The importance of winning comes second to the importance of enjoying the game and learning the skills of basketball in an environment that encourages player development and celebrates the first basket and the good pass more than the final score. This league is unlike any other in it’s determination to ensure every individual player is having fun and learning the fundamentals of basketball in a safe environment.

League Founder Don ‘Pete’ Peterson