Who We Are
Our history
Between 2001-2004, the acronym DARE (Discipline, Attitude, Respect, Effort) are virtues that were established by Lillian Mendoza during the development of a basketball camp in Brampton. In 2011, the DARE initiative was resurrected as “The DARE Sports Academy” as a Division of Corporate Sports. Before its first day of introduction, there was an addition of LOVE (Listen, Obey, Volunteer, Every day) to incorporate family values. Virtues and values have been promoted in our programs to encourage character development and enrich the lives of families.
In 2013, DARE to LOVE Sports Club became its own entity and has offered different sports programs throughout the GTA.
Our Journey
2014
In 2014, with the partnership of Corporate Sports and with the help of the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School board, We raised over $8,500 for victims of Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines. It was matched by the Canadian Government and over 17,000 was donated to the Canadian Red Cross
In 2014, DARE to LOVE Sports Club established Summer FUN camp for ages 4-13.
2015
In 2015 DARE to LOVE Sports Club adopted the Steve Nash Youth Basketball (SNYB) Program in partnership with Canada Basketball. Our coaches obtained their National Coaching Certificate Program (NCCP) recognition as being Trained Community Basketball Coaches by Canada Basketball.
In the same year, Founder Lillian Mendoza, extended her Coaches Training to become a Learn to Train (LTT) Coach Developer. Then a Learning Facilitator (LF) for Canada Basketball to train interested candidates to become trained Community Coaches.
In the 2015-2016 season, with the help of Corporate Sports Inc, DARE to LOVE Sports Club started hosting youth basketball events on the Raptors Court, at the Air Canada Centre (now the Scotiabank Arena). Young players were given the lifetime experience of playing on Raptors Court.
2016
In 2016-2017, DARE to LOVE Sports Club offered house leagues for ages 7-14.
2017
In 2017-2018, DARE to LOVE Sports Club partnered with Ball 905 to produce an inter-city Youth Development Basketball League (YDBL) for ages 10-12.
2018
In 2018-2019 we expanded into Toronto and Scarborough offering rep and adult basketball. This is also the year we added and encouraged spirituality in our program which has proven to add value and inspire better behavioural outcomes from our young players.
2020
Our 2019-2020 year started off with great promise of skills development, clinics, leagues, combines, and special Raptors Court events but was unfortunately affected by Covid-19 by mid-March 2020.
Being fueled by faith, powered by prayer, and driven by purpose, we carried on via Zoom; hosted a summer camp with 6-8 campers in 2020
2022
This 2022-2023 school year has been a miracle. We started in the first part of 2022 with 2 “FAITH over Fear” Raptors Court events and used these days to raise funds to help keep DARE to LOVE Sports Club running
With the help and faith of volunteers, we hosted another successful “FAITH over Fear: Play on the Raptors Court” event on December 30, 2022.
We raised over $3,000 towards the cost of gyms that will help DARE to LOVE Sports Club continue offering FAITH over Fear programs which allows youth to participate in over 10 FREE basketball clinics on the Raptors Court (and soon Play on the Raptors 905 Court), and other events to youth ages 5-17 and adults 18 and older.