#RepYourRegion: XV Training Academy jumps into Bballnationals with new club teams

When XV Training Academy co-founder and director Manny Dulay learned about Bballnationals last year, they didn’t have club teams. But impressed with the “good teams” and well-organized tournament they saw last year, when they did add club teams to their repertoire this year, they decided to give it a shot.

“It gives us a good chance to see the way we match up, not just with the BC boys, but the teams from [across Canada],” says Dulay.

“You get a good, fair assessment of the talent, and especially for the boys, the competition at their age. You get a chance to play against a few of these people, and I like that it’s kind of closer to school, in the sense that it’s in August, so they only have a month off after, it’s a good, last tournament of the year, a good way to measure off and then go into September, looking to dominate the school season.”

The XV Training Academy, based in Surrey, BC, was founded in March 2018 by Manny and his wife Harleen, both passionate about coaching. Coming off successful high school and university ball careers, the name comes from the number they both wore in high school — 15. The numerals also fit into their motto — “Exclusive training. Extensive approach.”

“We do a lot of training programs, individual training sessions, group training sessions. We focus a lot more on the skill development and also just player development in the overall sense, when it comes to nutrition, mental health, all those factors,” says Manny. “We’re trying to make complete basketball players.”

This year, they’ve added club teams, mainly centred around the boys they coach at Tamanawis High School.

“We started this club program to make sure that we do offer games and tournaments for kids, because that is important — you need game experience in order to be successful and go on to the next level,” he explains.

Running four club teams they have registered their two elite teams, a U16 and a U18.

Spots are still available for Bballnationals, which goes from July 29th to August 5th at the Langley Events Center.

Written by: Austin Cozicar