Basketball Manitoba bans use of term “midget” from leagues

Basketball Manitoba says it will no longer use the term midget in its leagues, becoming the first sports organization to make the move in the province.

This comes after a meeting with the Little People of Manitoba last month to discuss banning the term, which is considered derogatory.

The term is typically used in leagues where athletes from 15-17 years old compete.

Basketball Manitoba said some of their local leagues still use the term, but will have to either find a different name or use the actual age of the athletes.

“It’s time we move away as a sport from using a term that has a long negative history in society and ensures basketball is as welcoming and inclusive as possible,” said Basketball Manitoba president Ross Wedlake.

Little People of Manitoba president Samantha Rayburn-Trubyk said they met with 16 people from various Manitoba sports organizations during the January meeting and described it as a very positive conversation and expects “lots of positive change coming.”

“To have (Basketball Manitoba’s) support and respect is truly unbelievable. For this, we are truly and forever grateful,” Rayburn-Trubyk said.


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