The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday a significant community partnership with Brampton Minor Basketball Association (BMBA) which will set the table for long-term growth and development in one of the largest basketball markets in Canada.

BMBA will play an important role in celebrating the City proclamation: “Brampton Honey Badgers, We Are Brampton Day” in the City of Brampton on July 26. From joint media opportunities to community appearances, and culminating in the nationally televised TSN Game of the Week at CAA Centre later that evening, the Honey Badgers and BMBA will showcase this new partnership throughout the city. The game itself will be deemed “Brampton Minor Basketball Association Night” with hundreds of athletes, parents, coaches and volunteers in attendance supporting the Honey Badgers.

“For more than four decades, Brampton Minor Basketball Association and the Brampton Warriors has been a leading club for basketball development in this country. Athletes and parents have benefited from their breadth of programming, good governance, and quality coaching,” said Michael Cvitkovic, president, Brampton Honey Badgers. “One day, we will see graduates from the Brampton Warriors coaching and playing with their local pro basketball team, the Brampton Honey Badgers. We are excited to partner with BMBA to further enhance their programming and promote participation.”

BMBA is a City of Brampton affiliated non-profit youth basketball organization and the foundational building block of many basketball programs in the Brampton community. The BMBA is governed by the Ontario Basketball Association (OBA) and a Canada Basketball verified club that integrates important aspects of coaching, Safe Sport and organizational leadership. Since 1979, thousands of participants have trusted the BMBA Player Development Pathway to provide opportunities for personal growth and development of athletes all while reinforcing positive influences: self-confidence; self-esteem; and the ability to excel on and off the basketball court. Many players that have been through BMBA have received scholarships in Canada and the United States, and several alumni have moved on to rewarding careers in various industries, including playing in the NBA. The concept “We Win or We Learn so We Never Lose” instills in athletes that in winning and losing there is always a learning opportunity for growth and improvement. From introductory programming, house league, rep teams and elite training, BMBA provides its members with the complete pathway of basketball development.

A highlight of the new partnership is the BMBA + Brampton Honey Badgers Coach Apprenticeship Program. One BMBA coach will be selected to join the Honey Badgers coaching staff for the 2024 CEBL season, participating in training camp, team practices, and a number of Honey Badgers games.

“We are so proud to partner with the Brampton Honey Badgers on a long-term plan for basketball development within our city,” said Leslie Johnson-Carmichael, president, Brampton Minor Basketball Association. “Together, BMBA and the Honey Badgers will collaborate on facility advocacy, coach development, event hosting, and new programming for our thousands of athletes. Having our own local professional basketball team will provide so many more opportunities for our members.”

The Honey Badgers travel to Montreal on Sunday for a pivotal game against the Alliance at 4 p.m. before returning home for the TSN Game of the Week on July 26 at 8p.m. against Scarborough at CAA Centre in Brampton. Tickets are available at www.honeybadgers.ca/tickets. 

About the Brampton Honey Badgers

One of the original franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Brampton Honey Badgers are the defending league champions. Having recently relocated the team to Brampton from Hamilton, the team now proudly calls the CAA Centre home. The Brampton front office and basketball operations department bring NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. With a vision of promoting Brampton grassroots basketball and local businesses through community and corporate engagement, the Honey Badgers will leverage the explosion of basketball as a vehicle for innovation and change. For more information visit www.honeybadgers.ca.

About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) 

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 71 percent of its 2022 rosters being Canadian. TSN, Canada's sports leader, is the official broadcast partner of the league. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps during October. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

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Media Contact:
Kyle Warrener

Brampton Honey Badgers

kwarrener@honeybadgers.ca

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