The Belleville Spirits Girls Basketball Club began in 1987 with humble roots—just one team of spirited 15- and 16-year-old girls. Dressed in fluorescent orange and comically small uniforms, this original team was brought to life by Paul Gaudet, who served as the team manager, and Mike Kirby, the head coach. Although Gaudet’s time with the Spirits was brief, Kirby would go on to become a cornerstone of the club, dedicating more than 30 years to guiding the players and nurturing the program.

During the 1990s, the Spirits became a fixture in the Ontario youth basketball scene, consistently fielding midget (grades 9 and 10) and juvenile (grades 11 and 12) girls’ teams. This era coincided with a surge in organized youth basketball across Ontario. What had once been a challenge—finding enough teams to compete against—soon evolved into a thriving landscape where every town and city seemed to boast its own competitive teams.

By the early 2000s, the Spirits expanded to include younger, elementary-aged players. Erik Anderson became the first coach to guide the girls’ teams at the bantam (grades 7 and 8) level. As the program grew, so did its influence, with hundreds of girls donning the iconic Spirits uniform over the years. Many players began their basketball journeys at just 8 years old and played until they aged out of the program at 19, fostering a deep sense of community and continuity within the club.

The 2000s marked a period of significant growth for the Spirits, under the leadership of successive Presidents including Steve McCurdy, Lisa Howard, Ken Smith, Drew Davidson, and Erin Rose. With each new chapter, the club flourished, producing an increasing number of graduates who went on to play post-secondary basketball while also achieving academic success. The growth of the program enabled the Spirits to field multiple teams across different age divisions, establishing themselves as a formidable force in Ontario’s girls competitive basketball.

A defining moment in the club’s history came in 2019 when the U16 girls’ team, coached by current President Tom Callahan, clinched the Spirits’ first-ever Division 1 Ontario Championship. This monumental achievement underscored the dedication, passion, and talent that had been cultivated within the club over the years, and it solidified the Spirits as a key player in Ontario girls basketball.

In 2024, after steadily climbing the ranks with a bronze finish in 2023 and a silver in 2022, the U19 Belleville Spirits reached the pinnacle of success, securing the Division 1 Provincial Championship and claiming the top spot in the province. Under the leadership of head coach Gord de Vries and with the invaluable assistance of Tim Farrell, the team showcased their relentless dedication, skill, and perseverance to bring home the coveted title. This victory marked a significant milestone in the club's history, solidifying their place as one of the elite clubs in Ontario basketball.

The Belleville Spirits Girls Basketball Club, with its rich history, strong community ties, and unwavering commitment to developing young athletes, continues to inspire and shape the future of basketball in the region.

Check out our alumni page here!