MWSBL x HIJABI BALLERS

2nd Annual BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

May 19 & 20, 2024 | MLSE LaunchPad

In collaboration with Hijabi Ballers and in partnership with MLSE LaunchPad, we are uniting Muslim women to compete in an annual basketball tournament and connect through hands-on workshops. Teams and individuals will compete in either the recreational or competitive tournament bracket. Winning teams will be awarded with prizes and medals!

EVENT THEMES:

  • Holistic Wellness

  • Connecting to your Spiritual

  • Self Self- Care & Self-Development

  • Connecting with community

EVENT GOALS:

  1. To create a fun environment where Muslim women can unapologetically express and celebrate themselves

  2. To make Muslim women feel valued, seen, heard and appreciated

  3. To use basketball and wellness as a tool to bring together the Muslim female community

  4. To provide hands-on opportunities for their physical, spiritual and

    holistic wellness

INDIVIDUAL & TEAM REGISTRATION FOR THE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT IS NOW CLOSED.

FAQ:

  • To accommodate the growing interest in the various components of the event, we decided to host it over two days. This way, all players, workshop attendees, and spectators can take advantage of the full range of programming we have to offer.

  • Of course! In addition to the basketball tournament, there will be plenty of workshops and other programming incorporating themes of holistic wellness, spiritual growth, and self-care that all Muslim women can take advantage of. You can also attend the event just to watch the basketball games! The full schedule of all programs being offered at the event will be released in late April.

  • Registration is only required for the tournament and select workshops. Tournament registration opens on March 24. Some workshops will require registration, while others will follow a drop-in format until capacity is reached. All workshops are free. Registration for select workshops will open in late April. If you do not register for the tournament or any workshops, you may still drop in and attend the event on the day of and take advantage of the drop-in programming or watch the basketball games.

  • ItemNope! Attendees have the option to compete in the tournament, participate in the workshops or BOTH! You may also attend just to watch the tournament as a spectator. description

  • Yes, the event is female-only and open to all girls and women aged 8 and above. Only Muslim women and female allies aged 13 and above may register for the tournament portion of the event. Please note that photography will be present at the event.

  • In alignment with the themes of our event, we are targeting mature girls and women through our programming. The tournament is open to females aged 13 and up, while the rest of the event is open to women and girls aged 8 and up. There is no maximum age for tournament participants or any attendees. We will offer a few workshops specifically targeted for younger girls (aged 8-12) and a few targeted specifically for adults, while the rest will be open to all attendees. Please note that there will be no childcare or programming offered specifically for children aged 7 and under. However, mothers who lack childcare options may bring their children with them (boys and girls aged 7 and under). Strollers must be left in the foyer area. Children aged 7 and under will not be able to participate in any workshops but can enjoy watching the tournament.

  • There is no fee to attend the event as a tournament spectator or to participate in the clinics and workshops. However, there is a minimum fee of $25 for individuals or $200 for teams to register for the tournament.

  • We are looking for committed volunteers (ages 13+), who are available all day on May 19 AND May 20. Volunteers CANNOT also compete in the tournament. However, volunteers can take part in workshops while on break. If you meet the criteria above, and are interested in volunteering please email hijabiballers@gmail.com.

  • No, there is no such requirement. However, the tournament will span over two days, with the semi-finals and championship games continuing on Day 2. Therefore, tournament players must be available for both days. As for spectators and workshop participants, while you can choose which day to attend, we recommend attending on both days to fully experience the event, as different programming will be offered each day.

  • We’ll let you guess! Stay tuned to find out more!

  • The exhibit will showcase 6 to 8 modest activewear brands featuring innovative products tailored to Muslim women and girls who participate in sports and prefer modest attire. We will highlight their best-selling products, and attendees will have the opportunity to take them home in a giveaway!

  • Yes, individual sign-ups are accepted. You will be assigned to teams by MWSBL.

  • Individuals may register for either the Competitive (Div A) or Recreational (Div B) division based on their own assessment of their skills and experience playing in organized settings. We will place you in the division you have chosen. Registration for individuals opens on March 31, 2024.

  • Teams must consist of 8-10 players. If you have a group of 7 or fewer players, you must register as individuals to be assigned to a team for the tournament. During registration, you may request to be placed on the same team (all members must register for the same division), but there is no guarantee of being placed together. If you need assistance in expanding your team, you can download the Hijabi Ballers Community App (available on the App Store and Google Play) and create a post indicating that you are searching for players for your team in the tournament.

  • Yes, the tournament is open to Muslim women and their female allies. However, we encourage teams to reflect the diversity of our community, so teams should have a majority of Muslim players. For example, if your team consists of 10 players, you should have at least 6 Muslim players.

  • Minimum of 8, maximum of 10 players. It is advisable to register more players on your roster, in case of injuries or last-minute changes.

  • No, the team roster submitted at time of registration is final. All players on event day must be on the roster submitted at the time of registration.

  • Winning teams for both divisions will receive medals along with prizes proudly provided by Nike. There will also be prizes for MVPs, and other competitions throughout the event. The winning team’s name will also be added to the Trophy.

  • Teams and individuals may register for one of two levels of competition: Competitive (Div A) or Recreational (Div B).

  • Yes! Teams outside of Toronto planning to attend the tournament can apply for a travel and accommodations subsidy by visiting www.mwsbl.com. Travel subsidy applications close on March 29, 2024.

  • Yes! Female spectators are allowed to watch the games free of cost.

  • Tournament registration closes on April 19, or earlier if we reach capacity.