Fraser Valley Bandits Announce "Berry" As Name of Official Team Mascot in Honour of Region's History, Culture and Perseverance
Bandits Staff • January 22, 2019
Mascot Dedicated to Respective Provincial Berry Farmers Associations
ABBOTSFORD, JAN. 22, 2019 –
The results are in and the first member of the Fraser Valley Bandits has officially been named. Meet Berry the Bandit.
Following a mascot naming contest launched in partnership with Highstreet Shopping Centre and the Abbotsford News, the Bandits have announced Berry as the name of the team’s official mascot in advance of its inaugural season in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). The name was submitted by Janine Ebel, a local resident and keen fan of the Bandits.
“We were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of entries that were made for our mascot naming contest. Not only were the names clever, but they were thoughtful and reflected the history and culture that have helped make Abbotsford and the surrounding Fraser Valley the great place that it is today,” said Bandits President and COO of CEBL Western Operations Lee Genier.
“Janine’s entry was the perfect tribute to the berry farming industry that has been the backbone of the region for generations. It’s a nod both to Abbotsford’s past and its promising future. I thank Janine for her entry and I’m excited to welcome her to Abbotsford Centre for our inaugural season.”
Ebel wins two bronze season tickets, a photo-op with the mascot at centre court of Abbotsford Centre and a Bandits t-shirt. The name “Berry” was a fitting tribute given that Abbotsford is affectionately known as the “Raspberry Capital of Canada” and that the Fraser Valley is responsible for roughly 95 per cent of B.C.’s berry production thanks to its climate and soil conditions for growing various types of berries, according to B.C’s Ministry of Agriculture. Berry's first appearance tomorrow at the grand opening of the Salton Road Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge.
“We are excited to hear that the Fraser Valley Bandits made their first big personnel move by selecting Berry to be their mascot! Agriculture, and more specifically the blueberry industry, is such a key part of the economy, the people and the landscape that it seems like the perfect fit. It is a positive reflection of the Fraser Valley’s demographic, who choose to embrace a healthy lifestyle through being active and eating right! Go Berry and go Bandits!” Travis Drew, Director of the Promotions Committee for the BC Blueberry Council, said.
“BC Raspberries and BC Strawberries are thrilled that the Fraser Valley Bandits are honouring the generations of berry farmers in the Fraser Valley by naming their mascot Berry. As the Raspberry Capital of Canada, BC’s raspberry growers and BC’s strawberry growers look forward to supporting the Fraser Valley Bandits and Berry from the stands when the Fraser Valley Bandits take to the court in May,” said the Board of Directors for the Raspberry Industry Development Council and the BC Strawberry Growers Association.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Andrew Savory, Marketing and Communications Manager, Fraser Valley Bandits, (604) 217-6213,
asavory@thebandits.ca
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