Editor's note: Thorsten Gohl, director of Physical Literacy NWT and SA国际影视传媒 columnist, got the chance to travel to Whati recently and speak with Cpl. Wesley Neal about his passion for promoting basketball in the community.

Originally from London, Ont., Wesley has made it his mission to foster a sense of community and physical activity through the sport he loves.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 trying to focus on getting a bit of a basketball movement here in town,SA国际影视传媒� he said. 

He's actively engaging with various local organizations, including the community's government, the Tlicho Government, Mezi Community School and the Whati Family Centre to gather support and resources for this initiative. His commitment is evident, as he has personally invested in a basketball shooting machine to spark interest in the sport.

SA国际影视传媒淚 purchased that with my own funds and brought it up as my commitment to basketball,SA国际影视传媒� he said, highlighting his dedication to the community. 

With the shooting machine already generating excitement, Wesley hopes to expand participation from the current group of seven to eight interested individuals to form a competitive team.

He envisions hosting three-on-three and five-on-five tournaments not just in Whati, but also in neighbouring communities like Behchoko and Yellowknife. 

SA国际影视传媒淭o me, we are all Team NT,SA国际影视传媒� he stated, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in sports. 

He believes that providing youth with the opportunity to represent their home community fosters pride and connection.

For Wesley, basketball is more than just a game - it serves as a therapeutic outlet and a way to build relationships. 

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 exercise, itSA国际影视传媒檚 community, itSA国际影视传媒檚 everything coming together,SA国际影视传媒� he explained. 

He sees sports as a vital tool for community policing, allowing officers to engage with residents on a personal level. 

SA国际影视传媒淚f police arenSA国际影视传媒檛 really engaging with the community, theySA国际影视传媒檙e not getting a sense of whatSA国际影视传媒檚 going on,SA国际影视传媒� he noted.

WesleySA国际影视传媒檚 approach to community policing emphasizes prevention over intervention. By building relationships with community members, he aims to create an environment where individuals feel comfortable seeking help and discussing their challenges. 

SA国际影视传媒淚f I can work towards preventing anything through the relationships that I build, itSA国际影视传媒檚 perfect,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

The impact of community sports extends beyond the court as Wesley shared a recent experience where he encouraged a young resident to run home for lunch, demonstrating how community engagement can inspire healthy habits. 

SA国际影视传媒淚t was awesome to see that he was thinking, SA国际影视传媒業 should exercise',SA国际影视传媒� he recalled.

Looking ahead, Wesley is optimistic about the future of basketball in Whati. He is collaborating with people in the community to ensure the sustainability of the program, even as personnel changes. 

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 hoping that these guys continue doing what theySA国际影视传媒檙e doing,SA国际影视传媒� he said, expressing his desire for the program to thrive beyond his tenure.

Wesley's dedication to basketball and community engagement exemplifies the positive impact that sports can have in small communities. By fostering connections and promoting physical activity, he is not only building a basketball program, he's helping to strengthen the fabric of the community.