As excitement has been mounting with the first ever appearance of 3x3 women’s basketball as an Olympic sport, and Humboldt’s own Paige Crozon at the centre of the frenzy, a new documentary on the team and the sport hit streaming today.
The documentary short is the brainchild of Andrew Savory and Hardcut Films, the Vancouver-based film production company. The short “Podium Dreams: The Rise of Canadian 3x3 Basketball” has just been released on YouTube and across the company’s social media channels.
A release from Hardcut Films notes that the mini-doc shines a light on the rapidly growing sport with a lens on the six Canadian first-time Olympians.
● Coach: Kim Smith Gaucher (Hometown: Mission, B.C.)
● Player: Katherine Plouffe (Hometown: Edmonton, Alta.)
● Player: Michelle Plouffe (Hometown: Edmonton, Alta.)
● Player: Kacie Bosch (Hometown: Lethbridge, Alta.)
● Player: Paige Crozon (Hometown: Humboldt, SK)
● Alternate/Reserve Player: Cassandra Brown (Hometown: Vernon, B.C.)
Savory talks about the impetus for the mini-doc.
“The company is based around documentary storytelling, trying to bring great stories from the field of play, the theatre of sport, to a wider audience. With Canada’s 3x3 team, featuring Humboldt’s own Paige Crozon, going to the Olympics, they’re actually the first 3x3 team, men's or women's, to compete at an Olympic Games. It’s important we take a pause and commemorate these great athletes.”
The documentary allows the viewer to better understand the sport and its evolution, particularly in Canada. It also spotlights each of the women who have worked hard to hone their skills, but also to champion the sport. The team members have clearly made an impression on the filmmaker.
“This team is built of great humans, I’ll start with that,” Savory affirms. “These are great individuals, and they all bring their own skill sets to the squad. You have Kacey Bosch from Lethbridge, who’s that blue collar, glue style kind of player. You have Paige, the talented marksman – the 3-point shooter. And then, you have the Plouffe sisters, Katherine and Michelle, who are typically numbers 1 and 2 in the world in the FIBA 3x3 rankings.”
Savoury says that the success of the squad has excited a larger conversation about the growth of the 3x3 sport, which evolved out of the full court 5-aside game. With just a half court and a specially sized ball, the game is faster with greater scoring and turnover opportunities. It’s an ideal format for youth development, says Savory.
“As Paige will tell you, you get more touches on the ball, less people are required to play, and there are just so many benefits to playing the 3x3 game. Spending time with those athletes, they’ve all become such spokespersons for the sport.”
Savory explains that the developmental seat for the sport has been Europe and overseas where games are typically played outdoors in town squares, a common theme in European communities. The North American version has appropriated that feel by hosting tournaments downtown in makeshift piazzas, including downtown Saskatoon and the Ice District in Edmonton. This ‘taking it to the streets’ attitude is reeling in spectators who have begun to evolve a deep interest in the sport. More than just an adaptation, Savory maintains that 3x3 ball is beginning to emerge with a unique identity. The Olympics are sure to bolster that.
“They have people converging to watch where the games are only 10 minutes long, it’s first to 21, and you play multiple men's and women's games throughout the day. So, it brings a festival atmosphere that’s very condensed, fast-paced and energetic.”
With its accessibility and low-cost entry, it’s become a great sporting option for families to attend, and as the sport continues to roll out, for youth to play. In fact, Paige Crozon is slated to return to her hometown Humboldt for some basketball clinics with youth who will no doubt be curious about her experience in the game. All four players are deeply committed to exporting 3x3 ball to new participants, spectators and markets.
“You have the Toronto Raptors, the Canadian Elite Basketball’s Saskatchewan Rattlers in Saskatoon, but if you, but if we host more 3x3 tournaments, that’s going to mean more boys and girls playing basketball, more local tournaments, and just a greater grassroots system to help build the pipeline for potential future national team athletes.”
Enjoy the full conversation with filmmaker Andrew Savoury, and be sure to catch his enlightening mini-doc “Podium Dreams: The Rise of Canadian 3x3 Basketball” on YouTube.