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HAZEL MINER – FOUNDER AND MANAGER

OTTAWA ROOKIES BASKETBALL CLUB

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Click here for Information on Reception to Honour Hazel

Hazel Miner, herself a decorated softball player, will be inducted into the Ontario Basketball Hall of Fame on October 30, 2010.

Hazel began her involvement in basketball as a young mother in 1970, just wanting to fulfill her eldest daughter’s desire to play the game. She did that and much more, creating an Ottawa basketball dynasty spanning two decades. Daughter, Debbie Bowes explains: "When I discovered the joy of basketball as a public school aged girl, Hazel embraced this sport, one she knew nothing of, in order to create opportunities for young girls like myself. In those days there were no programs and she started from scratch. Her energy and hard work morphed this grass roots idea into the first “Rookies” team, and then into a successful multilevel women’s developmental program."

Hazel helped form the Nepean Amateur Basketball Association in 1970, and was President from 1971 to 1983. In addition, she was Director of Player Development for Ontario Basketball from 1974-1988 and also ran summer basketball camps during those years.

Most notably, in 1973, she started a competitive girls basketball team after a group of high school girls approached her about improving their skills through better coaching and competition. The team was named the Ottawa Rookies and began a training program including 40-50 games per year, primarily against university and senior women’s teams. In a letter dated November 17, 1977, then MPP for Carleton, Sid Handleman stated: "The Rookies are rapidly gaining the same reputation which was earned by the Edmonton Grads many years ago. Not only are they making a practice of defeating much better known institutions as indicated in the enclosed press clippings, but they are rapidly gaining recognition as one of the foremost ladies basketball teams on the continent."

The Rookies team of the 1970’s consisted mainly of high school players and was without an age-specific competitive league to play in. The team entered university tournaments and senior women’s basketball leagues and championships. In one such tournament, the Ottawa Rookies beat the University of Toronto and University of Windsor 71-46 and 81-26, respectively. During those years, the Ottawa Rookies produced one Canadian National & Olympic team member, six players to earn national team tryouts, two Canadian Jr. National team members and the majority of players on the Ontario provincial team.

In 1979, the Ottawa Rookies became the first Ottawa team to earn a berth to the Canadian Senior Women’s Basketball Championships and with only one player of senior age (the average age of the team was 17). At the time, Ontario did not field an all star provincial team to compete in the national championships (1 of only 3 provinces that didn’t). Ottawa placed 5th at “nationals” that year. Repeating as Provincial champs in 1980, the Ottawa Rookies again represented Ontario at nationals and finished 5th in the country.

Hazel expanded the Rookies team to become a multi-tiered program, where more than 150 girls played competitive basketball at the bantam, midget, junior and senior levels of play. In 1985, the Rookies won the Ontario Basketball Association Championships in bantam, midget and junior. Her Rookies won five consecutive OBA Championships (1984-1988).

The Rookies program wrapped up in 1989. When one looks back at what Hazel accomplished, there is a treasure-trove of awards and accolades documenting the success of her programs. Probably most important, is what she gave to each girl who played on one of her teams or at one of her camps. As expressed by the Ottawa Rookies first Olympian, Donna Hobin: "She instilled in me to not only dream but to have the confidence to go after those dreams."

The Ottawa Rookies has developed this website to chronicle the story of this amazing woman, the coaches who shared her vision of excellence and the girls who played the game.

List of Awards for Hazel Miner: