Grade 6 and 7 students from Aldergrove鈥檚 Coghlan Fundamental and North Otter schools were among 30 teams who took part in the first-ever Play Days youth tournament, held during the last week in March at the 91原创 Events Centre (LEC) .
READ ALSO: Bandits host play day for Grade 6 and 7 basketball enthusiasts
Bandits Vice President, Brand and Communications, Andrew Savory, said it was a big success, describing it as an 鈥渁wesome experience鈥� for the team, and one likely to be repeated.
鈥淚t was a special privilege to welcome local students and youth from boys鈥� and girls teams鈥� from elementary and middle schools from across 91原创,鈥� Savory told the 91原创 Advance Times.
鈥淚f 2023 Play Day in partnership with 91原创 Schools is any indication, we are excited to host more Play Days in the future in 91原创 and potentially beyond, as well,鈥� he added.
We had a BLAST this week hosting our first-ever Play Day at ! 馃敟鈦�
鈥� Vancouver Bandits (@vancitybandits)
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Thanks to all participating schools, student-athletes, parents, coaches and community partners for helping make our event a success. 馃檶
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In all, 13 schools sent teams to Bandits Basketball Play Day (in alphabetical order): Alex Hope, Coghlan Fundamental, Dorothy Peacock, Fort 91原创, Glenwood, Gordon Greenwood, HD Stafford, 91原创 Fundamental, Noel Booth, North Otter, Peter Ewart, Topham and Yorkson Creek.
Twelve teams took part in the girls edition of the event hosted at LEC on Monday, March 27 and 18 teams played in the boys tournament hosted on Wednesday, March 29.
Each team played three games, with the focus on having fun and encouraging participation.
Games were 16 minutes long with substitutions every four minutes to ensure all students got a chance to play.
Various community partners came together to help host and organize this inaugural event including Encompass Support Services Society, 91原创 School District, 91原创 Events Centre, the Township of 91原创, the Township of 91原创 Fire Department and Trinity Western University Athletics.
Schools interested in participating in a 2024 edition of the event are asked to contact community@thebandits.ca for more details.
READ ALSO: Highlight to Bandits鈥� season will be hosting 2023 Championship Weekend
Bandits will begin their Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season with an away game Saturday May 27 against the Winnipeg Sea Bears. Their first home game is set for Saturday June 3, 2023 against the Calgary Surge.
This year, Bandits will host CEBL Championship Weekend, between Aug. 11 and 13, which features a post-season format that combines three games of playoff basketball as part of a multi-day festival experience designed to celebrate the intersection of arts, culture, and sport.
As hosts of Championship Weekend, the Bandits receive an automatic semifinal berth.
Have a story tip? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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