The Vancouver Bandits may have changed their name from Fraser Valley, but the organization is maintaining its roots in the area.
On Tuesday (May 2) afternoon, Bandits co-owner Bryan Slusarchuk and president Dylan Kular presented new basketball rims, nets and outdoor basketballs to Mission Central Elementary School. The 10 rims donated will be spread across five Mission elementary schools.
“We’ll continue to donate more rims as schools identify outdoor courts that need upgrades, in addition to donating these basketballs,” Kular said.
The Bandits are focusing on donations to outdoor courts because of the ability for students and the community to access the locations outside of school hours.
The organization has already upgraded outdoor courts at all of the middle schools in Abbotsford, with upgrades to elementary school courts on the horizon.
Slusarchuk, who grew up and played high school basketball in Mission, says the organization will look to further support basketball in the area through donations, camps and club initiatives. The Bandits will also host a “School Day Game” on June 6 against the Winnipeg Sea Bears at 9:30 a.m. at Langley Events Centre.
“Basketball is arguably the most accessible sport in the world,” Slusarchuk said. “I think that doing things like this helps make basketball more accessible and live up to that reputation.”
Mission Central vice principal Frank Chan was appreciative of the Bandits’ support for the school. Students from Mission Central and Hatzic Middle will attend a Bandits game during the upcoming season.
READ MORE: Volunteers invited to be part of Bandits’ summer season
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