First Nations in B.C. receive new basketballs courts to bolster the sport

Four First Nations in B.C. are bolstering their outdoor recreation facilities with new basketball courts to encourage more youth to play the sport.

The installation of the full and half courts is thanks to a partnership by the province, Fortis BC, B.C.’s professional basketball team the Vancouver Bandits, and the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I·SPARC).

Shxwhá:y Village and Soowahlie First Nation in Chilliwack, Snuneymuxw First Nation in Nanaimo and Sumas First Nation in Abbotsford are all receiving either full or half courts.

“Basketball is one of Canada’s most inclusive sports and we hope these new courts can serve as an added resource to help encourage recreation, as well as active and healthy lifestyles,” said the Bandits’ team president Dylan Kular.

Chief Brenda Wallace of the Soowahlie First Nation says basketball, soccer, soccer and baseball are the main sports within the Soowahlie First Nation, but not all are equally accessible.

“Basketball has been on the back burner because of not having a court, but now having the court is going to bring it to our community in a greater way,” Wallace said. “For youth, it is an easy sport to play because you can play it one-on-one or you can play it with a team or individually.”

These courts are part of an initiative called Court Projects, which aims to “make basketball courts fun, productive and safe places for individuals to play,” according to the Vancouver Bandits’ website.

“Facilities close to home that are safe and also help remove economic barriers for participation in the sport, encourage active lifestyles and help create a new gathering place for community members of all ages,” said Rick Brant, chief executive officer of I·SPARC. “We are grateful to these four Nations for their efforts and investment to bring their communities together through the sport of basketball.”

In addition to the four court installations in Indigenous communities, the Bandits have also installed new rims at 24 schools and parks across the Lower Mainland.

Court Projects is an extension of the Indigenous Basketball Collective, co-hosted by I·SPARC and FortisBC every summer, where more than 50 Indigenous youth gather in Langley to learn to fundamentals of the sport from the Bandits’ coaching staff.