Vancouver Bandits and FortisBC Extend Partnership for 2025 Season, Expanding Commitment to Youth Basketball Across British Columbia

The Vancouver Bandits are proud to announce the renewal of their collaboration with FortisBC Energy Inc. (FortisBC) for the 2025 season, continuing a shared commitment to empowering youth through basketball development. This marks the fourth consecutive year of collaboration between the Bandits and FortisBC, reinforcing a strong community-driven initiative that provides coaching and mentorship opportunities for aspiring young athletes across British Columbia.

As part of this renewed sponsorship, FortisBC will once again be the official co-presenter of the coaching and youth clinics hosted by the Indigenous Basketball Collective (IBC). These clinics, designed to foster skill development and leadership among Indigenous youth, will continue to offer a structured environment where young players can learn from experienced coaches while also building confidence and teamwork skills through the game of basketball across British Columbia.

“We’re proud to continue our work with the Vancouver Bandits as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting local community initiatives where we live, work and play,” said Doug Slater, vice president, Indigenous relations and regulatory affairs at FortisBC. “This collaboration will help empower Indigenous youth to thrive through basketball. By promoting sports, we’re fostering meaningful connections, investing in the next generation, and building stronger, more inclusive communities.”

New to this year, FortisBC will expand its impact by becoming a co-presenter of the BC Basketball Festival, one of the province’s premier youth basketball tournaments and one of the only youth basketball tournaments in British Columbia that does not charge spectators to watch games. This addition marks a significant milestone in the collaboration, strengthening FortisBC’s presence in the basketball community while providing young athletes with more opportunities to showcase their talent on a larger stage.

“FortisBC has been an incredible partner in our mission to grow the game of basketball and make it more accessible to youth in British Columbia,” said Dylan Kular, President of the Vancouver Bandits. “By extending our collaboration and adding the BC Basketball Festival as a new initiative, we are creating even more opportunities for young athletes to develop their skills, engage with the sport, and benefit from the positive impact of mentorship.”

The extension of this partnership aligns with both organizations’ ongoing efforts to foster community engagement, youth development, and the overall growth of basketball in British Columbia.