ACROSS THE GLOBE AND BACK AGAIN: DAVE SINGLETON PREPARES TO TAKE THE REINS AS HEAD COACH
By Bandits Staff Writer: Diana Hong • May 6, 2021
Dave Singleton has already begun to prepare for his new role as head coach of the Fraser Valley Bandits this summer. The transition will see Singleton, who spent last summer as an assistant coach under the watchful eye of mentor and then-head coach and general manager Kyle Julius, take the reins as bench boss.
Julius, who currently serves as head coach for the Formosa Dreamers, will remain in Taiwan this summer and will serve as general manager of the Bandits this season.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for me to get back to North America and coach there with the quality level of basketball in Canada that’s forever growing and expanding,” Singleton said
Singleton actually grew up as a football player and later pursued a career in coaching basketball. Since starting his coaching career with the Nelson Giants in New Zealand’s National Basketball League (NBL), he has focused on bringing the toughness and camaraderie learned from his time spent playing wide receiver for Tiffin University’s football team to each club that he works with.
“Blocking for another player to get that person open is like giving yourself up, being selfless in the way that you operate every day,” Singleton said. “Playing football has taught me a lot of valuable lessons. I was able to have that mental toughness as well and being ready physically even at a young age when I played high school as a freshman on varsity because I was used to physical contact.”
From New Zealand, Vietnam and Indonesia, Singleton has plenty of experience coaching professional basketball in a variety of cultural contexts. Singleton is currently the head coach for Bima Perkasa of the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL).The team recently qualified for the playoffs. All the teams in the IBL are celebrating Ramadan, which Singleton respects as an important part of the team, league and country’s culture. In the meantime, Singleton has adjusted the team’s training plans to ensure they stay in shape and to ensure the safety of his team.
As an international coach, having a translator has been crucial for Singleton to swiftly and clearly communicate with his team. He has learned about different cultural values and has developed an appreciation for each player’s willingness to learn. He recognizes that patience is required when teaching new plays because he needs to make sure his players clearly understand his feedback and instruction, even if it means revisiting certain topics or spending extra time to convey a key point.
“I've used a translator basically over the last five years, so I've been very blessed with that,” Singleton said.
Although Singleton has been busy with Bima Perkasa, he has continued his efforts to build toward the start of Fraser Valley’s season, which is slated to begin June 24.
“From managing this team here and the beginning of our Bandits season, our acquisitions, our roster moves and connecting the team on Zoom calls, it's a forever process. I'm working basically 24 hours – calling people back in Canada and then obviously doing my job here so it's been quite the experience but I don't mind it at all,” Singleton said.
Singleton has also been in close contact with his coaching staff. “What we've already done over the first month and a half, even two months, is I've organized Zoom calls with the assistant coaches (soon to be announced). We stay connected and we talk basketball, roster and philosophy,” Singleton said.
Singleton has also been in close contact with Julius. Julius and Singleton talk daily and stay up to date amid the flux of the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s (CEBL) free agency period.
Although his staff are spread across the world, Singleton and the rest of the basketball operations department have made it a priority to show Bandits fans that last season’s success was just the beginning. After finishing first in point differential and second in steals and assists per game, the Bandits lost against the Edmonton Stingers in the finals at the CEBL Summer Series. The team is eager to prove that the best has yet to come for Fraser Valley’s pro ball club.
Competing within the format of a single-site season last year at the Summer Series, Singleton and the coaching staff were able to develop a workout plan that can be done by players remotely. The rigorous routine has carried forward to this season with players being held accountable through virtual meetings.
“It was a way that we were able to put these guys in situations where they can post videos, post pictures of themselves working out into our group chat on WhatsApp. What it does is it creates a lot of chemistry and continues to push our culture forward,” Singleton said.
“It’s a new season and a new team. We don’t want to look to the past too much. We know that this is a new challenge and a new opportunity, but our goals remain the same. We want to make sure that we do everything that we can now, so that we can get back to that championship.”
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The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that Dylan Kular, President of the Vancouver Bandits, has been named the 2025 CEBL Executive of the Year, earning the honour for a league-record third time (2021, 2022). The recognition comes a day after the Bandits secured the 2025 CEBL Community Champion Award, marking the second Business Award for the franchise this season and the fifth in just two years . The CEBL has now revealed three of its four annual Business Award winners this year, with the Calgary Surge capturing the Digital Excellence Award on Monday. The league’s 2025 Franchise of the Year recipient will be announced tomorrow (October 30). EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR Awarded to a team executive who best lives the values of the CEBL by leading with integrity and good governance, fosters a positive organizational culture, leads a franchise that has demonstrated success on the basketball court, in the community and with the overall performance and development of their club’s business during the past year, demonstrates a long-term vision to grow their franchise in its market, and contributes to the success of the league beyond their own club while being an inspiration and valued colleague to peers around the CEBL. 2025 Winner: Dylan Kular, President, Vancouver Bandits Under Dylan Kular’s leadership in 2025, the Vancouver Bandits combined on-court excellence with strong business and community performance. The team finished the regular season with the league’s best record (19-5), led all CEBL franchises in ticketing and group sales growth, and achieved the highest year-over-year gains in digital engagement and social media followership. The Bandits also earned top individual basketball honours this summer at the 2025 CEBL Awards , including Coach of the Year (Kyle Julius), MVP (Mitch Creek) and Canadian Player of the Year / Clutch Player of the Year (Tyrese Samuel). Off the court, Kular oversaw the successful launch of the Bandits Community Foundation, leading to the aforementioned back-to-back Community Champion Awards, and helped secure the addition of renowned basketball content creator and viral sensation Tristan Jass to the CEBL , in collaboration with the league and Electrolit Canada. Other notable off-court highlights include: Fifth Business Award in two seasons for the franchise Expansion of fan and group engagement initiatives across British Columbia Kular’s leadership continues to set the standard for excellence in the CEBL, blending competitive success with business growth, community engagement, and innovation. The 2025 CEBL Business Awards consist of four awards, given in recognition of accomplishments at both the team and executive levels ( Award – Announcement Date – Winner): Digital Excellence Award – Monday, October 27 – Calgary Surge Community Champion – Tuesday, October 28 – Vancouver Bandits Executive of the Year – Wednesday, October 29 – Dylan Kular, President, Vancouver Bandits Franchise of the Year – Thursday, October 30 – TBA Award winners were voted on by various groups comprised of league and team executives, including, but not limited to, members of the CEBL’s Leadership Team and all 10 team presidents.
The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that the Vancouver Bandits have been named the 2025 CEBL Community Champion, earning the honour for a second consecutive season . The Community Champion Award is the second of four 2025 CEBL Business Awards to be presented this week.  COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD Awarded to the franchise that has demonstrated a dedication to and understanding of local communities through notable, creative, and sustainable outreach that prioritize the CEBL values of innovation, inclusion, diversity, and meaningful experiences for fans and others. 2025 Winner: Vancouver Bandits In 2025, the Vancouver Bandits expanded their community reach through the launch of the Bandits Community Foundation , a charitable organization overseeing programs such as the Community Champion Initiative, Indigenous Basketball Collective, First Buckets, Secondary Buckets, and Inspiring Bandits Scholarship. The club also became the first CEBL team to unveil a Filipino Heritage jersey and logo , with proceeds benefiting United Way BC and the Canadian Red Cross to support those affected by events following the Vancouver Lapu-Lapu Day Festival. Continuing their commitment to the Terry Fox Foundation, the Bandits signed a multi-year partnership supporting Canadian cancer research, including the return of their Terry Fox tribute jerseys. Community engagement remained a cornerstone of the Bandits’ efforts this year, with additional highlights including: Hosting the fourth annual BC Basketball Festival at Langley Events Centre Awarding six scholarships through the Inspiring Bandits program at the BC High School Basketball Championships Delivering 77 on-court sessions and 12 free coaching clinics through Secondary Buckets, led by Bandits head coach Kyle Julius Refurbishing Grays Park in South Vancouver through the Court Projects initiative Hosting three cultural heritage theme games (Filipino Heritage, South Asian Heritage, and Indigenous Celebration), each ranking among the club’s top five attended home games in 2025 The Bandits also launched a successful bid to host the 2026 Junior All Native Basketball Tournament, one of the largest youth basketball events in Canada, in partnership with Kwantlen First Nation and Vancity Nation youth basketball. The 2025 Community Champion Award recognizes the Vancouver Bandits’ sustained leadership and impact across British Columbia, reflecting their ongoing commitment to community, inclusion, and excellence in basketball. The 2025 CEBL Business Awards consist of four awards, given in recognition of accomplishments at both the team and executive levels ( Award – Announcement Date – Winner): Digital Excellence Award – Monday, October 27 – Calgary Surge Community Champion – Tuesday, October 28 – Vancouver Bandits Executive of the Year – Wednesday, October 29 – TBA Franchise of the Year – Thursday, October 30 – TBA Award winners were voted on by various groups comprised of league and team executives, including, but not limited to, members of the CEBL’s Leadership Team and all 10 team presidents.
The Vancouver Bandits, Bandits Community Foundation, Vancity Nation Basketball and Kwantlen First Nation are proud to host the 2026 BC Junior All Native basketball tournament, taking place March 15-20, 2026 in Langley, BC. The Junior All Native Tournament (JANT) is the largest Indigenous youth sports gathering in British Columbia and one of the biggest basketball tournaments in Canada, drawing over 1,200 youth athletes, over 10,000 travellers and over 100 teams from across the province. Additionally, more than 100 Indigenous communities will be attending and represented at the annual tournament. “Vancity Nation is proud to partner with Kwantlen First Nation, Bandits Community Foundation and Vancouver Bandits to bring JANT to Langley,” said Nicole Cardinal, team manager of Vancity Nation basketball club. ”This is an opportunity for Vancity Nation to showcase our urban youth who live away from their communities and play a sport they love with Indigenous youth from across BC. Vancity Nation is made of volunteer coaches and managers who provide low cost basketball opportunities for our youth, and together we hope we build pathways that strengthen identity, and community connection. This goes a long way in raising young, productive leaders in a sport they love.” Langley Events Centre will serve as the tournament’s primary venue, hosting the opening ceremony on March 15 and championship games on March 20. Games will also be played at venues that include RE Mountain Secondary, Langley Secondary, Walnut Grove Secondary, Peter Ewart Middle and Yorkson Creek Middle schools in Langley. The 2026 edition of the tournament marks the first time in eight years that the event has been hosted in the Lower Mainland, with the last occurrence in 2018 hosted at North Vancouver’s Capilano University. “On behalf of Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation, we are honoured to serve as custodians of the 2026 BC Junior All Native basketball tournament while standing side-by-side with Kwantlen First Nation and VanCity Nation Basketball. Basketball has always been a powerful connector and the Junior All Native basketball tournament is a testament to that,” said Dylan Kular, president of the Vancouver Bandits. “The Junior All Native basketball tournament represents the very best of what sport can do such as bringing people together, celebrating culture, and inspiring the next generation.” The Junior All Native Tournament has been a cornerstone event for nearly 50 years, uniting young athletes and their families from Indigenous communities across BC. The tournament aims to inspire Indigenous youth to pursue their goals and make the most of their potential, while improving their fitness and skill levels. The tournament rotates annually between the three regions of Northern BC, Coastal BC, and Interior BC, with the most recent tournament hosted by the Syilx Okanagan Nation in 2025. Information on the 2026 tournament, including team registration, can be found at www.jant.ca
Electrolit athlete and viral basketball sensation Tristan Jass has officially broken four Guinness World Records™ titles in just four hours. The record-shattering event took place at the home of the Vancouver Bandits — Langley Events Centre in Langley, British Columbia — with Electrolit fueling Jass’s monumental performance. With laser focus and electrifying energy, Jass shattered multiple Guinness World Records, each verified on-site by an official Guinness World Records judge, including: Longest Basketball Shot (Blindfolded) Farthest Basketball Bounce Shot Most Consecutive Behind-the-Backboard Shots Most Basketball Layups in One Minute With more than 10 million followers across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, Tristan Jass is a global sensation, known for his jaw-dropping trick shots and ball-handling skills. The record-breaking day marks another high point in Jass’s rising career, following his recent stint playing with the Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). Watch the full video on Tristan Jass’ YouTube channel to see every record-breaking moment in action: https://youtu.be/_J6Z71vhe3U “Man, this is unreal. I’ve always been about doing things differently, pushing the limits, getting creative, and just having fun with the game. Breaking four Guinness World Records titles in one day? It was a grind. But Electrolit kept me hydrated, and that’s everything when it comes to performing at my best. I’m grateful, I’m hyped, and I’m just getting started,” said Jass. Electrolit is available at major retailers as well as online through Amazon, to support active lifestyles of all shapes and sizes, from work to play to sports. For more information, visit www. electrolit.com or follow them on Instagram or Facebook @Electrolit
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