With conversations around the Ontario basketball community about a probable teacher's strike or a work-to-rule looming, this fall many athletes may find their gym doors locked at the end of the school day- leaving them what seems like no opportunity to play high school basketball. 

However, school strikes will not negatively impact the National Prep School Athletic Association and it's athletes. September 2012 will mark the 3rd year of the NPSAA's existence.

Wayne Dawkins, the commissioner of the NPSAA and a teacher for the Toronto District School Board remembers the impact of the last strike on student athletes in 1997. 

"The NPSAA League has become more important to our student athletes because  they cannot afford to lose opportunities over something they have no control over. With the open membership for high school teams in the NPSAA, it will ensure that aspiring student-athletes will not miss out on a high school basketball season." 

The League has grown from its 4 original teams (PHASE 1 Academy, REDA, Metro Prep and CFCA) in its first season to 14 in the second, including teams from across Ontario, Quebec, and North Carolina. This season the NPSAA will host additional powerhouse programs like BOUNCE, Grassroots, U-Play, Triple Balance, Oakville Venom, CBA and the first high school program to enter the League, Bill Crothers School. The NPSAA has grown to become the most competitive leagues in Canada. 

The launch of the NPSAA's girls high school and prep division will also start in September. This means much more than an alternative to the short 2 month regular season; Female athletes will receive the exposure and platform that they have long awaited at the high school level. With the addition of teams around Ontario into the league, these athletes can play year round without worrying about participating on multiple teams throughout the year. The length of the season will mimic that of the boys season, more than doubling the amount of time players will receive for pre season training, development, and competition throughout the year.

Lee Anna Osei, well known in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)  for her playing days at Eastern Commerce high school, and her recent involvement in the exposure of girls basketball through her website, "Get Recruited Canletes" shared her view on the newly founded girls league.

"I think this is something that can really change the girls game. For so long our season has been seen as almost comical, because of the length of it, and the lack of competition in regions around the GTA. Developing a female platform to play basketball will help get our girls the exposure they need- backed by stats and game tape, all while the girls play on a single team throughout the year."

The NPSAA was created for student athletes to stay home in Canada and have the same opportunities as they do in America. 

With the creation of the National Prep School Athletic Association’s (NPSAA) Prep School League, serious Canadian athletes are now able to stay home and receive the same opportunities that U.S. prep schools offer.Talented Canadian student-athletes aspiring to become post-secondary student athletes now have the chance to receive the training, exposure, and competition necessary to be prepared for the next level – all while remaining in Canada.