The tournament will take place at Simon Fraser University from
August 10th-13th, 2016
The Skidegate Saints Men’s Basketball Team in Haida Gwaii is excited to announce they will be hosting the first-ever HaiCo World Indigenous Basketball Challenge at Simon Fraser University, from August 10th – 13th, in Burnaby, British Columbia.
Aboriginal teams from across North America, as well as indigenous and island nation teams from around the world, will be traveling to BC to compete in the exciting new tournament, which provides an opportunity for not only some friendly competition between international competitors, but also a unique opportunity for culture sharing and teaching.
Some of the teams confirmed to be participating in the new event include: Bermuda, Zimbabwe, South Sudan, Zambia, Maori, Haiti, Oklahoma and Montana (a full list of confirmed teams is detailed below). Day passes for the tournament are $5 at the door and weekend passes are $15. All games will be broadcast online by Via Sport Media.
The new tournament stems from the success of the popular All-Native Tournaments in Prince Rupert (which the Skidegate Saints have won for the past five years!). This tournament, which has been hosted annually for the last 55 years, has demonstrated incredible support and interest from fans—with over 180,000 people watching the championship game online last year.
The inaugural HaiCo World Indigenous Basketball Challenge was also inspired by a visit from the Haida Gwaii team to New Zealand, to play against the Maori National Team. This experience involved not only fierce competition, but also an invaluable and moving opportunity for cultural sharing.
It is this new tournament’s goal to continue to help nourish the connection between cultures from around the world, while competing at a sport they share a passion for.
The 16-team tournament will follow the same model as the BC High School Championships where all teams play 4 games. Basketball BC and Basketball Canada have certified the tournament, which aims to continue every two years going forward, in different locations around the world each time.
Committed Teams
North America
Skidegate Saints, Team Vancouver, Team – Vancouver Island, Team Alberta – War Scouts, Team Blackfoot Confederacy, Team Montana or Winnipeg, Team Gitnamaax, Lords of the Plains – Oklahoma
International
Maori National Team, Zambia National Team, Zimbabwe – Foxes (Pro Club), Team Haiti – Bongu, Bermuda National Team, South Sudan National Team, Team BC – China, IATE Tonga – Senior Men’s National Team
Game Schedule – all games will be played in the West Gym at SFU
Wednesday to Friday, August 10th – 12th
Game 1: 10:30 am
Game 2: 12:00 pm
Game 3: 1:30 pm
Game 4: 3:00 pm
Game 5: 4:30 pm
Game 6: 6:00 pm
Game 7: 7:30 pm
Game 8: 9:00 pm
Saturday August 13th Final Games
Consolation Final: 2:00 pm
3rd Place Game: 3:30 pm
Aboriginal High School All-Star Game: 5:00 pm
Cultural Sharing: 6:30 pm
Final: 8:00 pm
For more information about the HaiCo World Indigenous Basketball Challenge:
Dave Wahl | dwahl@sd50.bc.ca or Desmond.Collinson1@skidegate.ca
To request an interview regarding the event, please contact:
Lesley Diana | lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604.726.5575
Jasmyn Rowley | Jasmyn@thepromotionpeople.ca | 705-255-6887
World Indigenous Basketball Challenge on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/IndigenousBasketball2016/?fref=nf
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