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Basketball N.S. offers alley-oop to sidelined student players

Net peeve: Southlands man fuming after city demands removal of basketball hoop from street

Nova Scotia's student athletes have been unable to play or practise since the Nova Scotia Teachers Union started work-to-rule job action this week, but basketball players have a new option.

Basketball Nova Scotia is asking interested teams to pay $240 and register as under-18 teams. That will provide the mandatory insurance coverage for 12 athletes to practise or play games.

If the job action lasts a while, the organization will likely organize weekend jamboree-style events.

"It goes straight to our mandate," David Wagg, the organization's executive director, said Thursday.

"We are here to provide basketball opportunities to athletes and unfortunately they cannot play at this time."

Coaches can't take part

School coaches and assistant coaches won't be permitted to take part. As well, athletes can't wear school uniforms or use the team name.

"You can't have any affiliation with your current high school or junior high team," Wagg said, adding that Basketball Nova Scotia will help teams find coaches outside of the teachers' union.

Players can also join existing local clubs and Basketball Nova Scotia has uniforms it can lend out.

The organization posted a note to its website Thursday. Wagg said they've had lots of interest, but no solid bookings yet.

Teachers are not contracted to work during sporting events, which means they aren't doing them during the work-to-rule job action.

The Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation told participants and parents that all interscholastic sport was suspended Dec. 5 and there will be no games, practices or special events until the contract dispute is resolved.