On January 15, 1892, a Canadian changed the world — and he did it with a soccer ball, two peach baskets, and a brand‑new idea.
Dr. James Naismith, born in Almonte, Ontario, published the original 13 rules of basketball in The Triangle, the Springfield College newspaper. That simple list became the foundation of a sport now played by hundreds of millions around the globe.
Naismith’s journey to that moment was anything but simple. Orphaned young, raised through hardship, and shaped by long days of farm labour, he eventually returned to school, earned his education, and discovered the power of athletics to build character.
His belief that sports could shape lives — not just bodies — led him to the YMCA, where he was tasked with inventing a new indoor game for winter.
The result was basketball: a sport rooted in teamwork, discipline, fair play, and cooperation. The original rules banned running with the ball, fist‑punching, and rough play — a far cry from today’s high‑flying dunks and fast breaks. But the spirit Naismith envisioned still lives in every gym, driveway, and arena.
Before you hit the court, the gym, or the morning commute, here’s your Tillsonburg fuel update:
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Pioneer: $113.9
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Esso: $114.9
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Shell: $115.9
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Petro Canada: $115.9
So whether you’re shooting hoops, cheering from the sidelines, or just proud of a Canadian who changed sports forever, keep your tank topped up. Even legends need fuel to get where they’re going.
