BANDITS TEAM UP WITH FRASER HEALTH TO RAMP UP PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS FOR COVID-19 VACCINATIONS

Bandits Staff • May 11, 2021

Bandits, Fraser Health unveil ‘Get your shot so we can all get back to the game’ campaign

ABBOTSFORD, B.C., May 11, 2021 – The Fraser Valley Bandits announced Tuesday that the club has launched a new promotional campaign that builds upon its community partnership with Fraser Health that has seen the club work in tandem with the regional health authority to support the day-to-day non-clinical logistics at its COVID-19 vaccination sites in Abbotsford and in Chilliwack.

To help promote a safe return to attending live events, the Bandits and Fraser Health unveiled the “Get your shot so we can all get back to the game” campaign, which was rolled out online and on social media this morning.

Designed to encourage individuals in the Fraser Health region to get their COVID-19 vaccination, the initiative is focused on creating awareness regarding registering for a COVID-19 vaccination and to convey the importance of getting vaccinated as communities work toward achieving immunization.

The campaign builds upon the provincial government’s March 24 news release that announced that various organizations from the tourism and hospitality sectors, including the Bandits, were teaming up to support B.C. immunization efforts.

“The Fraser Valley Bandits are honoured to work together with Fraser Health to encourage vaccinations and to assist the dedicated efforts of healthcare workers who have been working tirelessly at clinics across our region and province,” Bandits vice president Dylan Kular said. “This campaign is intended to further drive our community to get their COVID-19 vaccination shot. We hope that everyone does their part by getting their shot once eligible so we can all return to enjoying the activities that we know and love in our beautiful region.”

Since late March, Bandits front office and game day staff have been working with Fraser Health, which serves more than 1.8 million people from Burnaby to Boston Bar, to support operational tasks at vaccination sites at Abbotsford Ag Rec (32470 Haida Drive, Building 1) and Chilliwack Mall (45610 Luckakuck Way). 

“Sports and regular physical activity in children and youth are foundational to leading healthy and active lives,” said Dr. Victoria Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer for Fraser Health. “Getting our communities immunized as quickly as possible to achieve community immunity will mean getting back to the things we love to do.” 

The Bandits open the 2021 season on the road at Edmonton on Thursday, June 24. The Bandits welcome Saskatchewan for Fraser Valley’s home opener on Saturday, June 26 at Abbotsford Centre. All regular season games will be live streamed on the free CBC Gem streaming service, cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices and on a new OTT streaming platform that the CEBL will unveil this spring.

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 80 percent of its 2020 rosters being Canadians. Players come from the NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian national team program, and top NCAA and U SPORTS programs.
More information about the Bandits is available at thebandits.ca.

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For Fraser Valley Bandits media inquiries, please contact:
Andrew Savory, Director of Operations, (604) 217-6213, asavory@thebandits.ca

For Fraser Health, please contact:
Fraser Health media line: 604-613-0794

About the Fraser Valley Bandits:
The Fraser Valley Bandits are British Columbia’s professional basketball team. As the westernmost club in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the club is proud to call Abbotsford Centre home. The Bandits offer a riveting entertainment experience that combines a fast-paced game day atmosphere with a presentation of some of Canada’s top professional athletes within a world-class venue. PerfectLens, a Vancouver-based contact lens supplier, is the official presenting partner of the Bandits’ 2021 season. Head to thebandits.ca for more information.

About Fraser Heath:
Fraser Health is one of five regional health authorities in B.C. working together with the Ministry of Health. Fraser Health is responsible for the delivery of hospital and community-based health services to over 1.8 million people in 20 diverse communities from Burnaby to Fraser Canyon on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations. 

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