Bishop McNally Basketball Program

We are setting up this GoFundMe to help raise money for a program that is changing future outcomes for students in an underprivileged community! Rob Hing, the Athletic Director and Boys Basketball Coach at Bishop McNally - a school in the Northeast of Calgary – has been using the Basketball program to try to change the culture and outcomes of the student athletes on the team since coming to the school just over 3 years ago. He has since been promoted to Athletic Director to try to increase the reach of the initiative.

Outcomes: Since taking over the program, they’ve had increasing success getting students to qualify for post secondary admission.

- In 2022-23, 5 of the 9 graduating students (55%) are currently attending post secondary, with two playing for their school’s basketball programs.

- In 2023-24, 5 of the 6 (83%) qualified for post secondary, with two playing for a school basketball program. *3 have had to delay admission a year to work to help with the costs

- This year, projected players are all in very good academic standing which should allow the program to be at or close to 100%, with several having a good chance to play post-secondary basketball

Methodology: the way they have achieved these results is two fold.

- Fundraising has allowed them to begin to address some of the things in the school that have been well used and needing replacement. This has allowed the school access to the kind of additional funding many other schools benefit from and help maintain a sense of pride for the school community.

- Fundraising and personal contributions have also allowed them to provide students dress shirts and ties, which are worn on game days and can be used for job interviews. Items like new backpacks and tracksuits also further incentivize students to want to be part of the team and motivate them to do the extra things required of them to be involved in the program (extra study hall sessions, mandatory community volunteer work, behaviour contracts, minimum grade requirements, etc.)

Our Role: We are hoping to assist with this deserving initiative. The program needs fundraising beyond what it has procured to continue to grow and to extend its reach to other programs. Much still needs addressing and the school needs help to bridge the fundraising gap that exists between schools based on location and community resources. Additionally, given the obstacle finances continue to present for students in this community, they are looking to create several bursaries or scholarship opportunities that students can access specific to the community. We want to help them and their students fulfill all of their ambitions and continue to do the incredible work they’ve been doing.