Saanitch’s St. Margaret’s School hosted a world-class athlete on campus last week, providing a unique opportunity for female students in Grades 5 through 8 to learn from the best in the sport. Paage Crozon, a Canadian basketball player who has made a name for herself on the international stage, led a special basketball clinic as part of her Half Court Hoops program. This initiative is designed to inspire young athletes through sports and leadership, and it has been a huge success in its outreach to economically disadvantaged, rural, and Indigenous Canadian communities. The clinic was a two-hour session that provided technical instruction and personal insights from Crozon’s professional journey. She shared her experiences, challenges, and lessons learned from her time as a professional athlete, including her journey to the Olympics. “My journey to the Olympics was filled with challenges – injuries, self-doubt, moments of disappointment, and navigating the high-performance sporting system as a single mom,” she said. “But I learned that adversity is part of the process. I leaned into my support system, kept my why close, and stayed grounded in the belief that resilience is built in the hard moments. Every setback taught me something and added to the strength I needed to keep going.”
Crozon also emphasized the importance of sports in building confidence and passion for the sport. “Getting girls involved in sport at this age is critical – it’s when confidence is built, friendships are formed, and passion is sparked,” she said. “If we can create positive experiences now, we’re more likely to see girls stay involved in sport for life. Growing up in a small rural community in Saskatchewan, a visit like this would have meant the world to me. Seeing a female athlete doing what they dreamt helped me believe it was possible for me, too.”
Crozon has been a key player for Canada’s national team since joining in 2019. Her achievements include winning two FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series titles in 2022 and 2023, a silver medal at the 2022 World Cup, and helping Canada qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics. During her visit, Crozon also shared five specialized 3×3 basketball lesson plans with SMS staff to support physical education delivery.
- Paage Crozon’s visit was part of a broader initiative to reach out to schools in economically disadvantaged, rural, and Indigenous Canadian communities.
- Her Half Court Hoops program prioritizes outreach to 20 to 30 schools in these communities.
- Crozon aims to create positive experiences for young athletes and inspire them to stay involved in sports for life.
Key Highlights of Paige Crozon’s Visit
• Paage Crozon led back-to-back on-court sessions for female students in Grades 5 through 8. • She shared her personal insights and lessons learned from her professional journey. • Her visit included a presentation on the importance of sports in building confidence and passion for the sport. • Crozon shared five specialized 3×3 basketball lesson plans with SMS staff to support physical education delivery. • Her visit was part of her Half Court Hoops program, which prioritizes outreach to economically disadvantaged, rural, and Indigenous Canadian communities.
| Year | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Joined Canada’s national team | Paage began playing for Canada’s national team, becoming a key player in the country’s 3×3 basketball program. |
| 2022 | FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series title | Paage won her first FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series title, solidifying her position as a top player in the sport. |
| 2022 | World Cup silver medal | Paage helped Canada win a silver medal at the 2022 World Cup, further cementing her reputation as a leading athlete in the sport. |
| 2023 | FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series title | Paage won her second FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series title, continuing her dominance in the sport. |
| 2024 | Paris Olympics qualification | Paage helped Canada qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking a significant milestone in her career. |
“Sport has given me so much – opportunity, community, confidence – it’s important for me to pay it forward,” she said. “Seeing girls light up on the court, challenge themselves, and walk away a little taller and more confident – that’s what fuels me. It’s about creating spaces where girls feel seen, strong, and inspired.”
Page Crozon is visiting several communities, including Tsawout First Nation, Ahousaht First Nation, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, Hitacu First Nation, Alert Bay, and Bella Bella. Her Half Court Hoops program aims to inspire and empower young athletes in these communities. Page Crozon’s visit to St. Margaret’s School was a huge success, providing an opportunity for female students to learn from a world-class athlete and be inspired by her journey. Her Half Court Hoops program has made a significant impact on the lives of young athletes, and her visit to St. Margaret’s School is just one example of the positive influence she is having on the world of sports.
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