ABBOTSFORD, BC, May 4, 2021 – The
Fraser Valley Bandits
launched the #IAmValley movement Tuesday with the release of a cinematic hype video that uses a diverse cast of 35 athletes, artists and business leaders filmed across more than 16 locations in the Fraser Valley to celebrate the voices, histories, identities and industries of the region.
The cast includes past, present and current amateur, Olympic and professional athletes, as well as local artists and entrepreneurs who participated in a robust shooting schedule earlier this year.
The goal of the video and overall campaign is to showcase the Fraser Valley as a dynamic region that is defined by the various cultures that occupy its rich landscape and to spotlight the accomplishments and bright futures of the artists, athletes and leaders who are writing an exciting chapter in Fraser Valley and Canadian history. A full list of cast members and scene locations can be found below.
“The #IAmValley movement was built on the premise of celebrating our community and encouraging youth and adults alike to take pride in where they are from. The Fraser Valley is a special place because it is enriched by individuals and families who have lived here for generations or are new to British Columbia and chose this region as their home,” said Bandits vice president Dylan Kular. “Whether it be on the court or in the community, we are an organization that is committed to honouring the heritage and numerous cultures of the Fraser Valley and we invite everyone to be part of what we are building together as a team.”
To produce the video, the Bandits collaborated with esteemed Abbotsford-based videography company
Colla Films. The voiceover for the video was performed by local hip hop artist
Saint Soldier
(Amrit Saggu). By blending a combination of off and on-court Bandits highlights with an array of cinematography, the #IAmValley campaign video serves as an important recognition of the region’s status as a basketball hotbed and an inclusive home for everyone.
The campaign also stands as a rallying cry ahead of the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season, which begins on June 24 with a rematch of last year’s championship that saw the Fraser Valley Bandits fall to the Edmonton Stingers in the final. The launch of the campaign is accompanied by the grand reveal of two new branded elements, an #IAmValley slogan wordmark and an “FV” monogram secondary logo, which will be introduced to fans and a global audience on social media through the Bandits’ respective Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube pages throughout this week.
Fraser Valley fans can rep the new branding (see below) thanks to a fresh line of New Era Cap merchandise by visiting the Bandits online team store or in-person at the TELUS Bandits Athletic Centre (located at West Oaks Mall in Abbotsford).
Cast: In alphabetical order, listed from left to right
Adam Paige
- Player, Alberta Golden Bears
- U SPORTS & Canada West all-rookie team, 2018-19
Arata Nakanishi
Boseko Lokombo
Charley Ball
- Player, GW Graham Secondary
Dalton Silver
- Chief, Sumas First Nation
Daniel Adediran
Ebony Bracewell
Felix Flowers
Gibi Saini
- Fraser Valley-based photographer
Harshaan Dhaliwal
Jag Alamwala
- CEO, PNP Packers
- Berry industry
Ja’Qualyn Gilbreath
Jeremy Hamilton
- Fraser Valley-based artist
Jessica Zawada
- Former player, UFV Cascades, 2016-20
Jonas Dower
Julia Tuchscherer
- Class of 2021 (committed), UFV Cascades
- 2A provincial runner-up 2018, ’19 with GW Graham
Levon Kendall
- 12+ years with Canada’s senior men’s national team
- Player, Fraser Valley Bandits, 2019
Matthias Klim
- Player, UFV Cascades
- 2020 3A provincial champion with GW Graham
Navjot Bains
- Former player, UFV Cascades, 2014-19
Parminder Singh
- Adult cast member
- Berry industry
Parmvir Bains
- Canada West first team all-star, 2019- ’20
- Former player, UFV Cascades, 2017-20
Ransford Brempong
- 8+ years, Canada’s senior men’s national team
- Player, Fraser Valley Bandits, 2019
Ray Kaufman
Ray Nickel
Riley Braich
Sahana Kanagasabay
- Player, BC United & Fleetwood Park Secondary
Scott Johnson
Sukhjot Bains
- Canada West third team all-star, 2019-20
- Former player, UFV Cascades, 2018-20
Surinder Sarowa
- 1983 provincial champion and second team all-star with Abbotsford Senior Secondary
Takuo Nakanishi
- Adult cast member
- Lumber industry
Taylor Claggett
- All-time leading scorer, UFV Cascades women’s basketball
- Former player, UFV Cascades, 2015-20
Teresa Gabriele
- Former player, Canada’s senior women’s national team & SFU Clan
- Player, Sydney 2000 & London 2012 Olympic Games
- U SPORTS’ Top 100 After 100’
Tianna Page-Willox
- Player and 2020 3A provincial champion with Abbotsford Senior
Ella Bohn
Zachary Klim
- Player, UFV Cascades
- 2020 3A provincial champion with GW Graham
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. 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.
###
For media inquiries, please contact:
Andrew Savory, Director of Operations, (604) 217-6213, asavory@thebandits.ca
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.