Slam dunk summer for Aliyah Fraser

X-Women basketball student-athlete creates science, sport camp for kids

By Corey LeBlanc

Antigonish, NS - Aliyah Fraser has combined her two passions – science and sport – to create a unique summer camp experience for children.

The soon-to-be third-year forward with the STFX X-Women basketball program is the founder of Up and Atom, a three-day camp that more than 40 kids participated in earlier this month in her hometown of New Glasgow.

"Everything went really well – we were so pleased with the strong turnout," the 21-year-old says.

Fraser – a fourth-year health science student – came up with the idea earlier this year while working as a summer student with IGNITE Atlantic – which its website (igniteatlantic.com) describes as a "rural innovation hub that brings people together to explore how to make change possible in rural communities." It also "aims to create a culture of innovation by engaging youth, communities, start-ups and industries to find solutions and create opportunities."

She remembers pitching what would become Up and Atom during an IGNITE staff meeting, when the discussion turned to creating "unique" opportunities for youth.

"Everyone thought it was a cool idea," Fraser says.

After receiving the greenlight, she started putting together the pieces of the puzzle, including bringing her X-Women teammates and X-Men basketball players on board; not to mention – as part of the athletic part of the equation – members of the Canadian Premier League's (CPL's) Halifax Wanderers.

STFX, the Discovery Centre – the province's hands-on science centre based in Halifax – and Michelin North America in Pictou County were also brought in as community partners.

Once the groundwork was completed, the campers took centre stage from Aug. 15 to 17.

During a two-part day, one group of youngsters would spend the morning conducting science experiments with Discovery Centre representatives, while the other one would hit the court or the pitch with the X student-athletes and Wanderers, respectively. After lunch, the groups would switch places.

Fraser notes that the campers – and their parents and guardians – were pleased with what was often described as a 'enjoyable experience.'

She adds, "I think everyone had a great time."

That includes her fellow STFX student-athletes. "They thought it was great – really meaningful. They couldn't wait to get there every day," Fraser adds.

She notes that it has been "really great" to have tremendous support from the broader community and her partners, including IGNITE. "Their plan is to continue," she says of making the summer camp an annual event.

Creating Up and Atom – and its first-time success – was the most recent milestone for Fraser during her time as a Xaverian, a list that includes a spot on the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) women's basketball all-rookie team in 2020.

Two years ago, the African Nova Scotian student-athlete, she was one of six inaugural recipients of the StFX Frank McKenna Centre's Racial Justice Leadership Grant. The annual award, which includes $4,500, is – as the Antigonish university indicates – provides Black and Indigenous students with funding and institutional resources "to support projects that include research, organizing and outreach work, or advocacy and activism in racial justice."

Fraser has contributed her talent to the Black and Indigenous Athletes' Association (BIAA) – an initiative aimed at collecting information from Black and Indigenous athletes, including their struggles.

"I am not really sure," she says, when asked about her plans after graduating from STFX next spring.

The possibilities include graduate school, along with any opportunities available to continue her basketball career.

Speaking of hitting the hardwood, Fraser will be a key contributor to a varsity program that is now under the leadership of first-year X-Women head coach and Antigonish native Matt Spencer.

"I am really excited. I can't wait for the season to start," she says.

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