The Outreach Basketball Team brings together students from across the Outreach Network to form a unified and competitive team. Competing in the Greater Montreal Athletic Association (GMAA), the team plays throughout the late fall and winter seasons, building teamwork, resilience, and school spirit along the way.
Guided by dedicated coaches Colin Throness and Paul Berry, and supported by the lasting contributions of former staff members, the Alternative United Pit Bulls are a true success story. Through teamwork, perseverance, and a strong sense of community, the program continues to make a positive impact on the lives of Outreach students both on and off the court.
We are extremely proud of their hard work, commitment, and accomplishments both on and off the court.
Be sure to watch our “Win From Within” Gatorade video, which highlights the spirit, determination, and sense of community that define the Alternative United Pit Bulls.
Alternative United Pit Bulls: From the Beginning to Today
In 2013, Outreach Network teachers—Paul Berry, John Cummins, John Devlin, Geoff Saunders, and Colin Throness—approached the Greater Montreal Athletic Association (GMAA) with the idea of bringing students from the alternative schools together to form a basketball team. Read The Gazette story here. The initiative was an immediate success, fostering student engagement, teamwork, and school pride both on and off the court. The following year, Gatorade recognized the program’s impact and featured the team in its “Win From Within” video series.
Since then, Alternative United has continued to grow and expand its reach. In 2015, the team launched a crowdfunding campaign that raised more than $3,000, enabling the creation of the Alternative United website and supporting new student-focused initiatives.
Alternative United Voices
Building on this momentum, coaches and Outreach staff organized additional athletic opportunities, including multiple basketball teams and boys’ and girls’ futsal programs. In 2016, Alternative United introduced “Voices,” an annual creative writing contest and anthology open to all Outreach students. The contest quickly became a signature program, attracting more than 70 submissions in its first year and providing students with a platform to share their creativity and experiences.
With the support of visual arts teacher Heather Hardie, Voices evolved into a polished publication featuring original artwork, compelling cover designs, and a dedicated visual arts section. The program also welcomes guest judges each year, giving students the opportunity to connect with accomplished artists, writers, and community leaders, including Joseph Culpepper, Helen Chau Bradley, and Heather O’Neill.
Today, Alternative United remains a proud example of the Outreach Network’s commitment to student success, providing opportunities for athletic achievement, creative expression, personal growth, and community connection.
