The power of sport – and who holds it – takes center stage in the latest episode of Joe’s Basketball Diaryhosted by Joseph Wanginternational vice-president of the University of Toronto.
Guests include Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, who shares his thoughts on the role coaches and teachers play in nurturing player and student growth on and off the field.
“I start each season with this mural, this pyramid or this coliseum of our thoughts, our ideas and our vision for the season,” says Nurse. “One thing at the top is to be global leaders for cultural change.”
The conversation also touches on questions about leadership, women, economics and globalization in the world of sport – and the role of sports organisations, governments, athletes and fans when it comes to having a positive impact beyond stadiums and arenas.
“It is incredibly unfair to ask athletes to solve problems that governments themselves are not ready to solve or are unable to solve,” says David ShoemakerCEO and Secretary General of the Canadian Olympic Committee.
“I get it, but athletes also have extraordinary power,” says Wong, while Fitriya Mohamed, co-founder of the Muslim Women’s Summer Basketball League, notes that many athletes are aware of their power but are reluctant to get too involved. “Once they’ve tweeted something, they literally have to be the expert on it – so every press conference [they get asked about it],” she says.
This episode features:
- Vivek Jacobreporter at Raptors.com
- Fitriya Mohamed, co-founder of the Muslim Women’s Summer Basketball League
- Nick Nurse, Raptors head coach and founder of the Nick Nurse Foundation
- Ansh Sanyal, Senior Director of Brand and Marketing, Canadian Elite Basketball League
- David ShoemakerCEO and Secretary General, Canadian Olympic Committee
Watch Joe’s Basketball Diaries Ep. 5
“Gamer. Introvert. Problem solver. Creator. Thinker. Lifelong food evangelist. Alcohol advocate.”