Vancouver Bandits and I·SPARC extend partnership of Indigenous Basketball Collective

Bandits Staff • December 20, 2023

Traditional Territory of the Coast Salish peoples / Langley, BC, Dec. 20, 2023 – The Vancouver Bandits and the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) announced Wednesday the extension of their partnership with a renewed emphasis on coaching and officiating clinics as well as youth camps that will be hosted throughout 2024 as part of the Indigenous Basketball Collective.


The Indigenous Basketball Collective is a collaborative effort between the Bandits as BC’s professional basketball team and I·SPARC that is designed to offer basketball programming across the province. The partnership also includes the development of outdoor basketball courts through the Court Projects initiative. 


I·SPARC and the Bandits maintain regular communication throughout the year to ensure that any and all programs hosted by both organizations meet the diverse needs of Indigenous youth, coaches and officials from across B.C. The dates for future coaching, officiating and player development camps will be announced at a later date.


The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is a provincial organization established with the purpose of improving the health outcomes of Indigenous peoples by supporting and encouraging physically active individuals, families and communities. The programs and services delivered by I·SPARC are designed to build capacity and increase access to sport, recreation and physical activity in First Nations communities, Métis Chartered Communities, Aboriginal Friendship Centres, schools and other delivery agencies throughout BC.


“Basketball is one of the most popular sports among Indigenous youth in BC. We greatly value our partnership with the Vancouver Bandits as it reflects our shared commitment to Indigenous basketball development. Together we are continuing to design innovative initiatives that deepen relationships with communities and fuel the passion for the sport through programming for Indigenous athletes, coaches, and officials,” said I·SPARC’s CEO Rick Brant.


Earlier this fall the Bandits and I·SPARC hosted a free basketball camp in North Vancouver for youth from across the Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley regions.


The goal of the Indigenous Basketball Collective since its inception in 2022 has been to create increased opportunities for Indigenous players, coaches and others involved in basketball to participate in training camps, competitions, workshops and more. 


“There is a thriving Indigenous basketball ecosystem in British Columbia and we are grateful for our partnership with I·SPARC to connect with both current and aspiring basketball players, coaches and officials by creating more opportunities for them to play and learn,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular, who also sits on I·SPARC’s provincial basketball committee.


More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok, as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter. An overview of I·SPARC programs and grants are available at isparc.ca and @isparcbc on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. 

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