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. 

LATEST NEWS

By Bandits Staff 28 Mar, 2024
The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that Fraser Valley-based home improvement and hardware solutions company, RONA Fraser Valley Building Supplies, has renewed its dedication to supporting Canadian professional basketball by extending its community and marketing partnership with the Bandits for the 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. RONA Fraser Valley Building Supplies has been aligned with Bandits Basketball since 2023 when its inaugural year of partnership was announced following the club’s ownership acquisition by Bandits Sports & Entertainment . The focus of Fraser Valley Building Supplies’ partnership with British Columbia’s professional basketball team is to contribute to the game day experience at Vancouver’s home venue of Langley Events Centre (LEC) and to support basketball communities throughout the Lower Mainland through the Court Projects program and the Community Champion Initiative where Fraser Valley Building Supplies supports hundreds of youth from the region through the sponsored provision of tickets to the game. Dave Deobald, Sales Manager at RONA Fraser Valley Building Supplies, expressed, "Our ongoing partnership with the Vancouver Bandits reflects our deep commitment to supporting Canadian basketball and fostering community engagement. We are proud to renew our partnership with the Vancouver Bandits, reinforcing our commitment to fostering community development through the power of sports. We're looking forward to continue our support for initiatives like the Court Projects Program, which aligns with our core value of Community Connection." RONA Fraser Valley Building Supplies is a leading home improvement and hardware solutions provider with locations across British Columbia. With a dedication to Helping Communities Prosper, RONA Fraser Valley Building Supplies strive to support local initiatives and organizations that make a positive impact. “The Vancouver Bandits are grateful to build on our community-driven partnership with RONA Fraser Valley Building Supplies for the 2024 CEBL season. Fraser Valley Building Supplies displayed their commitment in 2023 to growing the game of basketball at the grassroots level through their support of Court Projects and the Community Champion Initiative. RONA Fraser Valley Building Supplies’ support of Court Projects has improved more than 25 outdoor courts in the Lower Mainland and has been integral in the development of four outdoor basketball courts in four Indigenous communities in British Columbia,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “RONA Fraser Valley Building Supplies has renewed their commitment of both Court Projects and the Community Champion Initiative for the 2024 season so that more kids can play and be introduced to the game of basketball.” Season tickets and flex packs for the sixth season of Bandits Basketball are available for purchase at this link . A complete CEBL regular season schedule is expected to be announced this winter. Individuals interested in learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming 2024 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email tickets@thebandits.ca . More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .
By Bandits Staff 26 Mar, 2024
The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday that the club has signed American guard Zach Copeland for its upcoming season at Langley Events Centre (LEC). Copeland is currently in the middle of his fourth professional season, suiting up for Bamberg Baskets in the Basketball Bundesliga, the top division of men’s basketball in Germany and a league renowned for helping produce various NBA players, as well as being regarded as a top 10 league globally in terms of its talent pool. A 6-foot-4 guard from Oakland, Calif., Copeland currently sits fifth in points per game in the Bundesliga, scoring 18.1 points per game while also leading his team in three-pointers made with 83. Rounding out Copeland’s contributions are his four assists and 1.4 steals per game, as well as his 84.4 per cent free throw percentage – all of which are team highs. “I am excited for what is to come this summer; to experience a great city like Vancouver and to contribute to a prominent organization while keeping my game sharp. I am grateful for the opportunity,” Copeland said. Copeland will report to the Bandits following the conclusion of his current European pro season. Exclusive single game tickets for the Bandits’ highly anticipated ‘Home Opener Weekend’ featuring games on Thursday, May 23 and Sunday, May 26 are on sale now at this link . Copeland is one of the international basketball scene’s rising stars. His prior overseas stops include England (2020-21), Ukraine (2021), Finland (2021-22) and Italy (2022-23). A proven scorer with each of his previous clubs, Copeland demonstrated his elite production and reliability by helping Pistoia Basket win the Italian Serie A2 championship in 2023 after averaging 15.7 points per game spread over 40 games; culminating in Pistoia’s promotion to the Italian Serie A top division. “Zach is an elite combo guard who has proven himself at the highest levels in Europe. He has climbed the ladder every year. Zach is a leader and he will definitely enhance our culture. He plays with a ton of passion and energy. I can't wait to get to work with Zach,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. Copeland has elevated his game throughout his collegiate and professional career. He began his collegiate tenure at City College of San Francisco where he was named Coast-North Conference Player of the Year and the California Community Colleges Men's Basketball Coaches Association Co-Player of the Year following his second season with the Rams in 2016-17. His strong play at the junior college level paved the way for Copeland to transfer to Illinois State University where he played two seasons of NCAA Division I basketball with the Redbirds from 2018-20. In his final year at Illinois State, Copeland emerged as not just the Redbirds’ leading scorer, but one of the top players in the Missouri Valley Conference, leading his team with 14.5 points per game, which also ranked him 7th among conference leaders. The Vancouver Bandits open the club’s sixth season when the club tips off on May 23rd at 7 p.m. for its highly anticipated home opener against the Montréal Alliance. Vancouver will play a total of 10 regular season home games in 2024 between Thursday, May 23 and Thursday, July 18. The Bandits wrap up regular season action on the road against Montréal on Sunday, July 28 at 1 p.m. PT. All CEBL regular season games including playoffs will be live-streamed on TSN+, as well as the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ , and on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices). Individuals interested in ticket flexibility or purchasing a bundle of tickets are invited to consider a flex pack or season tickets . More information can be found at thebandits.ca/tickets or by speaking with a Bandits representative by calling (604) 455-8881 or emailing tickets@thebandits.ca . A complete regular season schedule can be found by clicking here . More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .
By Bandits Staff 26 Mar, 2024
Bandits align with provincial and national sports organizations to strengthen British Columbia’s 3x3 basketball ecosystem and announce first tournament.
By Bandits Staff 21 Mar, 2024
The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that longtime Canadian Senior Men’s National team forward and seasoned international pro, Ransford Brempong, has been announced as its lead assistant coach for its upcoming season at Langley Events Centre (LEC). Brempong played his last year of pro basketball with the Bandits in 2019, averaging 5.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 16.5 minutes played per game over 11 games of action with BC’s pro basketball team. Since retiring from professional play, Ransford has provided insight and analysis as Vancouver’s colour commentator for its broadcasts from 2021-23. “Being part of the Vancouver Bandits as a player, broadcaster and now as the club’s lead assistant coach is an honour that I do not take lightly,” Brempong said. “The organization has high expectations for our roster and I am excited to lend my decades of experience and skills developed at the collegiate, international and national team levels to help our players get better and to achieve success this summer.” A native of Thornhill, Ont., and a current resident of North Vancouver, B.C., Brempong played at Western Carolina University, where he showcased his defensive prowess over the course of five seasons of NCAA Division I basketball in the Southern Conference between 2000-05. He graduated as both the school and conference’s all-time leader in blocked shots after averaging 7.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game spread over 116 games (81 starts). Today, his 308 blocks continue to rank tops in school history and second in the conference. Brempong’s decorated collegiate career set the stage for an impressive stretch of six years of European pro basketball spread across top leagues in Germany and the Netherlands. He earned an all-star nod twice while in the Netherlands, including recognition as its defensive player of the year in 2006 after leading the Dutch league in blocks and rebounds. Bolstering his professional accomplishments are Brempong’s eight years spent suiting up for the red and white as a key cog in Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team program. While with the national team, Brempong built his relationship with current Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius, who prior to coaching also played NCAA Division I basketball in the early 2000s and later starred at the University of Guelph before taking his career overseas. Brempong and Julius frequented various Canadian national team training camps and competitions together. “Rans brings a wealth of experience and a true passion for the game to our team. He has played at the highest levels and he understands our players and the league. I know what Rans is all about and I am excited to work with and learn from him,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. Today, Brempong continues to give back to the game and is the founder and owner of WCT Hoops, a youth basketball program that develops local players on Vancouver’s North Shore. The Vancouver Bandits open the club’s sixth season when the club tips off on May 23rd at 7 p.m. for its highly anticipated home opener against the Montréal Alliance. Vancouver will play a total of 10 regular season home games in 2024 between Thursday, May 23 and Thursday, July 18. The Bandits wrap up regular season action on the road against Montréal on Sunday, July 28 at 1 p.m. PT. All CEBL regular season games including playoffs will be live-streamed on TSN+, as well as the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ , and on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices). Exclusive single game tickets for the Bandits’ highly anticipated ‘Home Opener Weekend’ featuring games on Thursday, May 23 and Sunday, May 26 are on sale now at this link . Individuals interested in ticket flexibility or purchasing a bundle of tickets are invited to consider a flex pack or season tickets . More information can be found at thebandits.ca/tickets or by speaking with a Bandits representative by calling (604) 455-8881 or emailing tickets@thebandits.ca . A complete regular season schedule can be found by clicking here . More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

LATEST VIDEO

By Bandits Staff 24 Jan, 2024
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By Bandits Staff 23 Dec, 2023
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By Bandits Staff 03 Dec, 2023
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By Bandits Staff 03 Dec, 2023
A provincial education seminar co-hosted by Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits professional basketball club. Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius, Trinity Western Spartans women’s basketball head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul and U SPORTS/CEBL official Trevor West provide their insights on the question, “How does your familiarity with an official affect how you interact with officials during the game?” Click here to watch question 3 .
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