The Winnipeg Wesmen are partnering with the Winnipeg Sear Bears for the pro basketball team's winter initiative aimed at getting underserved youth more access to the sport. 

The Sea Bears officially launched their Winter Sea Bears program, a series of winter-time camps aimed at giving youth the opportunity to discover, learn and develop in the game of basketball while under the tutelage of Sea Bears players, as well as student-athletes from the Wesmen and Manitoba Bisons. 

The goal of the program is to give youth a place to learn skills so that they may develop lifelong habits and reap the benefits of sport and activity.

"We are excited to be able to partner with the Winnipeg Sea Bears on an initiative that will be positive for not only the sport of basketball, but for so many in our community as well," Wesmen Athletics director Dave Crook said. "The Sea Bears have taken great lengths to make themselves a prominent and positive contributor to our city, and we are honoured to be asked to help further that work by being partners in the Winter Sea Bears camps."

The first camp runs Nov. 29 and welcomes youth enrolled in BGC Winnipeg (formerly the Boys and Girls Club) to the Sport For Life Centre, the home practice facility of the Sea Bears. Wesmen women's basketball player Jennifer Kallon is slated to be one of the players who will help Sea Bears head coach Mike Taylor facilitate the camp.

Other dates are to be announced, but will run throughout Winter 2024.

"We saw just how powerful basketball was in uniting community this past season and want to continue that work year-round," Sea Bears president Jason Smith said. "This initiative allows us to reach more young people and give them all the benefits that come with active participation in sport, from the mental and physical attributes to life-learnings and skills."