Daniel Wigfield

This article explores the development and implementation of Canada Basketball’s new club Verification Program, designed to enhance accountability and alignment within the country’s basketball system. In response to the rapid growth of basketball and the rise of unregulated private enterprises, the program aims to professionalize community-based clubs, ensuring safe and developmentally appropriate environments for athletes. Through collaborative governance, Canada Basketball worked with provincial and territorial sport organizations (P/TSOs) and local clubs to tailor the program based on stakeholder feedback. The Verification Program supports athlete safety, fosters alignment, and improves the overall health of Canadian basketball, benefiting coaches, administrators, and participants alike.

Keywords: collaborative governance, basketball, trust, resource allocation

Citation: Wigfield, D. (2025). Hooping together: Enhancing basketball programming in a federated sport system via collaborative governance. International Journal of Sport Management, 26(3), 298-314.

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