Vancouver Bandits return from visit to Haida Gwaii
Published 5:45 pm Monday, October 12, 2026
Kids aged 10 to 17 in B.C.’s Haida Gwaii got a chance to meet and get basketball tips from members of the Langley-based Vancouver Bandits recently.
The team and the Bandits Community Foundation headed to the islands off B.C.’s north coast from Oct. 2-4 as part of its series of community visits, in partnership with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I∙SPARC).
Langara Lodge and the Skidegate Band Council also made the trip possible.
“Haida Gwaii has an incredible passion for basketball, and it was an honour for our staff to spend time on the court with so many talented young athletes,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “Our partnership with I·SPARC through the Indigenous Basketball Collective is about building lasting relationships with communities across the province and making sure every young player has access to the game.”
“Programs like this show what is possible when partners come together for Indigenous youth,” said I·SPARC’s CEO Rick Brant. “We are proud to work with the Vancouver Bandits to bring high-quality basketball coaching to Haida Gwaii, where the game is so deeply loved.”
Bandits staff members led classes with students at Chief Matthews School in Old Massett and skill development clinics for 13 to 17-year-olds in Old Massett, Masset, and Skidegate.
“Basketball plays a big role for our youth in Masset, and the Bandits coming to town provides an opportunity for them to work with some high-level coaches at the professional level. Our youth are very happy to have this opportunity,” said Trevor Russ, head coach of the Old Massett Raiders boys basketball team.
“To be able to have the Vancouver Bandits come to Skidegate and Haida Gwaii is very important,” said Desi Collinson, recreation coordinator and elected representative to the Council of the Haida Nation. “Basketball means a lot to Haida Gwaii; it brings excitement, hope and inspiration to our communities. Organizations like the Bandits and I·SPARC give us different insights and outlooks that our young athletes have not experienced before, and we are happy to have them here to uplift our youth.”
Since the Bandits established their collaboration with I∙SPARC, they have visited Ahousaht, Bella Coola (Nuxalk First Nation), Kitimat (Haisla Nation), Nanaimo (Snuneymuxw First Nation), Victoria, West Vancouver and Williams Lake. More youth camps and seminars are being planned for 2027.