Vancouver Bandits Announce Inaugural "Bandits Basketball Play Day"

Bandits Staff • March 24, 2023

LANGLEY, B.C., March 24, 2023 – The Vancouver Bandits announced Friday that the club will host its first-ever “Bandits Basketball Play Day” on March 27th and 29th featuring free youth tournaments at Langley Events Centre (LEC) for local Grade 6 and 7 boys and girls students that are participating on behalf of a combined 13 schools.


In collaboration with the Langley School District, 12 teams will participate in the girls edition of the event hosted at LEC on Monday, March 27. Similarly, 18 teams will be involved with the boys tournament hosted on Wednesday, March 29.


In total, 13 schools and 30 teams will compete in a fun atmosphere over the course of two days with a goal of encouraging healthy active living and friendship through sport.


Both Play Days will begin with a brief welcome message from the Vancouver Bandits to all participating teams and will be followed by a group photo with Berry the Bandit, the official mascot of BC’s professional basketball team.


The first games of each tournament will tip-off at approximately 4:40 p.m. PT. Each team will play three games as part of the free event.


Various community partners have come together to help host and organize this inaugural event; including: Encompass Support Services Society, Langley School District, Langley Events Centre, the Township of Langley, the Township of Langley Fire Department and Trinity Western University Athletics.


In addition, the Vancouver Bandits would like to extend a special note of appreciation to all participating schools for their collaboration in the inaugural Bandits Basketball Play Day. Schools interested in participating in a 2024 edition of the event are kindly asked to reach out to community@thebandits.ca for more details.


A complete list of all 13 schools with teams competing at next week’s Bandits Basketball Play Day can be found below in alphabetical order:

  • Alex Hope, Coghlan Fundamental, Dorothy Peacock, Fort Langley, Glenwood, Gordon Greenwood, HD Stafford, Langley Fundamental, Noel Booth, North Otter, Peter Ewart, Topham and Yorkson Creek


“We are fortunate for the opportunity to work with some great partners to launch what I hope will be the first of many ‘Bandits Basketball Play Days.’ There is no better venue than LEC for hosting a community-driven tournament like this and we are excited to welcome all students to a fun and inclusive atmosphere where they can make new friends and play a wonderful sport,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular.


The Bandits tip-off their 2023 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) campaign on Saturday, May 27 when the club takes on the Winnipeg Sea Bears at Canada Life Centre. Fans will have their first chance to watch the Bandits on home soil at 7 p.m. PT on Saturday, June 3 when Vancouver welcomes the Calgary Surge for its first-ever visit to LEC.


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.

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