About S.W.B.L.
Strathcona Women's Basketball League was established in 2005 as an extension of the youth basketball program at Strathcona Community Centre. Our 16+ drop-ins on Tuesday nights became so popular and packed that teams emerged to form the only women's league in Vancouver.
S.W.B.L. started its inaugural season in the Summer of 2005 with 5 teams - Flaming Rons, Bulldozing Munchkins, Can't Touch This!, Don't Have A Name Yet and Individuals - with the Flaming Rons squeaking a one point victory over Don't Have A Name Yet to claim the first SWBL Championship title. Many of the "original" players continue to play a vital role in the league to this day, especially on teams like the Flaming Rons and Fantastic Four. We are proud to announce that over 80% of our female players from the Strathcona Youth Basketball Program graduate into the women's league.
To date (Summer 2016), there have been 33 seasons of play with S.W.B.L. running three seasons per year outside of the high school basketball season:
Fall (Sept to Nov)
Spring (Mar to June)
Summer (July & Aug)
As part of the Strathcona Community Centre Association mandate, S.W.B.L. strives to sustain, promote and develop a league that supports the changing social and recreation needs and aspirations of the Strathcona community.
Our core staff are mostly made up of volunteers who are committed to keeping costs low for the love of the game. In return, S.W.B.L. expects all participants in the league to upkeep the sports"woman"ship and integrity that is reflective of the Strathcona Youth Basketball Program and its affliate programs.
S.W.B.L. started its inaugural season in the Summer of 2005 with 5 teams - Flaming Rons, Bulldozing Munchkins, Can't Touch This!, Don't Have A Name Yet and Individuals - with the Flaming Rons squeaking a one point victory over Don't Have A Name Yet to claim the first SWBL Championship title. Many of the "original" players continue to play a vital role in the league to this day, especially on teams like the Flaming Rons and Fantastic Four. We are proud to announce that over 80% of our female players from the Strathcona Youth Basketball Program graduate into the women's league.
To date (Summer 2016), there have been 33 seasons of play with S.W.B.L. running three seasons per year outside of the high school basketball season:
Fall (Sept to Nov)
Spring (Mar to June)
Summer (July & Aug)
As part of the Strathcona Community Centre Association mandate, S.W.B.L. strives to sustain, promote and develop a league that supports the changing social and recreation needs and aspirations of the Strathcona community.
Our core staff are mostly made up of volunteers who are committed to keeping costs low for the love of the game. In return, S.W.B.L. expects all participants in the league to upkeep the sports"woman"ship and integrity that is reflective of the Strathcona Youth Basketball Program and its affliate programs.
Founders & League Coordinators
Cindy "Clutch" Sengsavang is a local Strathconian, having lived and worked in the area for over 20 years. A graduate of Britannia Secondary and the Strathcona Youth Basketball Program, Cindy started coaching a talented group of Grade 6 Strath players, leading them to numerous championships in various Vancouver youth leagues like Real Basketball League, Night Hoops and Filcansa. She was dubbed the nickname "Clutch" for hitting numerous game winning shots throughout her basketball career. Two of her crowning moments as a S.W.B.L. player were hitting a league record six treys in a game and making two clutch free throws to win a league championship. Since retired from the game of basketball, Cindy can be found cruising and weaving through players in the Canlan Women's Ice Hockey League in Burnaby. Her other favourite past time is bringing her pug, Homer, to S.W.B.L. games as the unofficial official league mascot.
Mitra "Mini Meetz" Tshan has coached basketball for over 18 years and has a passion for working with inner-city youth. As a coach, Mitra firmly believes that "the more things we can get kids to do correctly off the court, the more they will do correctly on the court." Her favourite Strathcona basketball moment is coaching a great group of senior girls who went undefeated for 50+ games over 2.5 years - many of whom continued on to play post-secondary and/or in the S.W.B.L. Mitra's signature move in the S.W.B.L. was "The Platter" where she served the ball to the hoop past tall post players. Plagued by injuries, Mitra retired to take on more coaching and admistrative roles for VSB Athletics, Vancouver Girls Basketball Association, Vancouver Strathcona Basketball Club and Night Hoops. She has been recognized by Basketball BC with the Investors Group Volunteer Sport Adminstrator Award and the Mary Campbell Award for a woman who has (is) making a significant contribution to the game of basketball. Mitra was also award the Bobbie Steen Legacy Foundation Award as an Emerging Leader by ProMotionn Plus for her outstanding contribution to advancing gender equity in physical activity and sport within the community. Most recently, she was recognized this Spring at the Sport BC Gala with their President's Award.