Hamilton teen off to Halifax on a basketball scholarship, a 1st for local athletic program

An athletic development program for racialized high school athletes in Hamilton is marking a major milestone as one of its participants heads to university on a basketball scholarship. 

Kibrom Kefte, who joined the Steel Town Athletic Club (STAC) last October, will depart Hamilton for University of King's College in Nova Scotia on Aug. 27. 

It's the first time a participant from STAC, which launched nearly two years ago, has received a sports scholarship.

Kefte, 19, credits his involvement with STAC for helping him get the offer.

"The experience at STAC has been amazing," he told CBC Hamilton.

While Kefte was a "great" and "gifted player" when he joined the program, the experience with his coach helped him to develop communication skills "and just be a great person on and off the court because that'll get me to be the best player I want to be," he said.

"So, coming to STAC really showed me how to become a real leader."

Kefte, who hopes to explore business for a future career, has enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program at King's.

In September 2021 Vincent Kuber — a personal trainer and run coach — launched the STAC program for racialized youth from 14 to 18 years old.

The program is offered in two streams — recreational and competitive basketball.

Kuber previously told CBC Hamilton that he wanted kids to be busy doing something, and that the end goal was to help them achieve their sports milestones, while taking away personal and team skills that they can use in life.

"The bonus would be for them to receive post-secondary opportunities to further their athletics and education," Kuber added.

Earlier this week, Kuber said the program started with 15 kids in 2021. By September 2022, the number climbed to 80 kids. Today,