The Junior Reds
“We started out with a vision and a certain expectation of what we wanted to offer in a youth program and a decade later, we’ve gathered a lot of great stories,” said Jeff Speedy, the former head coach of the UNB REDS women's basketball team, now UNB's Associate Director of Athletics and founder of the Junior Reds program. “Players have had the chance to travel, play with others who may have been rivals in youth leagues and now are friends because of their Junior Reds experience. And we helped make them better basketball players along the way.”
The Junior Reds offer spring and early summer basketball opportunities for girls, in four different age classes; under-11, under-12, under-13, under-14.
Current members of UNB's women's basketball team and distinguished alum, including the likes of former AUS MVP Jayda Veinot, Grace Wade, Colleen Daly, Laura Fowler, and Rachel Cleary have worked as coaches within the program, ensuring young players have a chance to benefit directly from athletes competing at the U SPORTS level. This also allows the younger players to develop bonds with current Reds they see on court, competing during the AUS season.
Teams play a series of exhibition games, travel to major tournaments regionally and host the popular "UNB School’s Out Shootout," each June.
None of the funds raised through Junior Reds go into UNB women’s basketball program. The program is designed to increase awareness of the REDS, while helping mold younger players in the region. Junior Reds teams from the past have included players from Saint John, Woodstock and Harvey. Teams practice two to three times a week and wear the red, black and white for approximately 16 games a season.
During the 2015-16 AUS season, Eva Tumwine became the first former Junior Red to join the REDS. For Speedy, that was special. "It’s very rewarding to have had one of them in the fold and it’d be really cool to have four or five at some point, knowing that we played a part in them reaching that dream and reaching that goal.” In 2020-21, Speedy's own daughter, Kylee, a former Junior Red, joined the REDS women's team and is a Junior Reds coach.
"We hope every member of this program go on to rewarding basketball careers, academic studies, and flourish as future community leaders,” says Speedy. “We are basketball teams, but there is a commitment to creating a program and creating good habits as a player. We see them at our games throughout the year and we get a chance to watch them on the court for their mini or bantam or high school teams. It’s a rewarding feeling to see so many of them excelling.”
The program has added a Hoop School.
Now in its fourth year, Hoop School is an introductory, non-competitive program for girls in Grades 3 and 4 (U10). It's a ten-session program for those interested in playing competitive basketball in the fall.
Coaches focus on fundementals, individual offensive skills and they introduce team concepts through 4-on-4 games.
Now, individuals and families who've benefited from the Jr. Reds experience, or those who want to ensure everyone who wants to experience the Jr. Reds can do so, are able to donate to a fund that will provide Jr. Reds scholarships to applicants who may require financial assistance. You can donate any amount. All donations will provide access to the Jr. Reds program for deserving individuals from less fortunate situations.
U11 Team
Cora Barrett
Klaire Collier
Callie Devereaux
Lola Giroux
Zoe Kennedy
Penny Lawrence
Charlotte McCartney
Kate Olford
Amy Stafford
Hannah Tardiff
Mila Van Roaden
Reese Wager
COACHES: Colleen Daly, Jayda Veinot, Chelsey Collette
U12 Team
Eden Eliaba
Macy Farrel
Madie Giggie
Elin Lamkey
Mya Lenehan
Emily MacNaughton
Kaiya Mattinson
Chloé Morris
Lilly Murphy
Lily Sheppard
Drew Whitlock
Lilly Wood
COACHES: McKinley Bezanson, Hannah Howland, Katie McAffee, Kylee Speedy
U13 Team
Elena Brideau
Keeland Campbell
Camryn Clark-Taylor
Dorothy Compas
Sophia Dickinson
Ella Durette
Addi Forbes
Natalie Iyoha
Charlotte McKnight
Jahnee McQuinn
Regan Tarr
Lily Vaughan
COACHES: Sydney Campbell, Alex Dickson, Deedee Kean
Testimonials:
I can’t say enough about the positive experience we've had with the Junior Reds.
Coaches were amazing with the girls – so patient, kind and an excellent role model for the girls. We need more young women like them around our very impressionable girls!!!
Angie Godin - Woodstock, NB
Hoop School focuses on fundementals and development in a systemic way.
It provides a fun, inclusive environment where all players have opportunities to progress.
Karen Howland - Fredericton, NB
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Our daughter was on a bantam team and it's hard to put into words what a positive experience it was for her. Her progression on the court has been remarkable and the positives she'll take forward athletically will benefit her always.
The relationships she has formed, the positive influences from coaches and coping with tough competition has helped prepare her for whatever she may face in the future.
This program is a great benefit to the kids, and basketball in this area.
Mark and Kim Corey - Harvey, NB
