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Durham Men’s Basketball Association looking to expand

The DMBA recently hosted a charity tournament in support of The Eating Well food bank. Tournament winners, the Street Wolves, pose after the big win.

The DMBA recently hosted a charity tournament in support of The Eating Well food bank. Tournament winners, the Street Wolves, pose after the big win.

By Joel Wittnebel/The Oshawa Express

A new Durham basketball league is hoping to help with more than just your jump shot.

Now in its second season, the Durham Men’s Basketball Association (DMBA) is looking to grow from its root as a church basketball league.

Started by Jonathan Knarr, he explains he was just trying to meet the needs of some guys who wanted to play basketball. However, the league has evolved since then into a support system for some players.

“It’s not just for church people,” he says. “It’s got the Christian background, but it’s for those who want to play basketball and that’s how we mentor into people’s lives.”

And mentoring is exactly what basketball has done for Knarr, now a York Region police officer, who struggled growing up not knowing his father.

“It’s kind of kept me on the straight road because I grew up with no father,” he says. “So things have kind of really happened for me, bridging through basketball.”

The league, currently made up of four teams, is looking to double that in the coming years and is not only looking for new players, but coaches and volunteers as well.

Most recently, the DMBA hosted a tournament to raise money and food donations for Oshawa’s Eating Well food bank.

Hosted at Kingsway College, the event drew interest from the Seventh Day Adventice private school who, along with filling the stands, entered a high school team as well

Those interested in getting involved or playing in the DMBA are encouraged to reach out at Jonathan at dmba.basketball@hotmail.com or visit their website at www.dmba.co.

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