LANGLEY, B.C. (September 26, 2017) - Canada Basketball and Basketball BC announced Tuesday that British Columbia will host the 15U and 17U National Championships beginning next summer.

"It is very exciting for us and basketball in this province to again host Canada Basketball sanctioned Nationals," said Lawrie Johns, Basketball BC Executive Director.  "Teams from each province as well as the three territories are invited and we expect at least 12 to compete for a national championship."

Kamloops and Thompson Rivers University will host the 15U/17U Boys National Championship from August 6-11, 2018, while the University of Victoria will be the host venue for the 15U/17U Girls National Championship on August 5-10, 2019.

"We look forward to returning to British Columbia and partnering with Basketball BC on the 2018 and 2019 National Championships," said Michele O'Keefe, Canada Basketball President & CEO.  "Representing your home province and competing for a national championship is an experience these players will never forget."

Earlier this summer, Canada Basketball and Basketball New Brunswick (BNB) announced that the Richard J. Currie Center on the campus of the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton will host the 15U and 17U Girls National Championships in summer 2018 and the 15U and 17U Boys National Championships in summer 2019.

"We are thrilled with the two sites that will be the venues and establish host committees," Johns continued.  "The selection of sites was not easy given a number of possible BC venues but the facilities including gyms, dorms, catering for over 350 athletes/coaches, location of accommodation for parents and supporters, experience in hosting and their excitement about teaming with us and Canada Basketball were all important factors.  Working with Ken Olynyk (TRU) and Clint Hamilton (UVic) has been a joy and they both bring previous Nationals hosting experience to the event."

The 2017 15U Boys and Girls National Championships were held earlier this summer at the University of Regina (Centre for Kinesiology Health and Sport) in Regina, Saskatchewan from July 24-29, while the 17U National Championships were part of the Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg, MB.

Scott Clark, Head Coach of the TRU Wolfpack said "The National Tournament has been a precursor to playing at a higher level, whether that be CCAA, U SPORTS, National Team, or pro. This tournament has marked the coming out of many great players including Kamloops own Kelly Olynyk. We look forward to hosting our country's finest players."

Byron MCCorkell, Director Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services, City of Kamloops said "The City looks forward to working with Basketball BC and Thompson Rivers University in hosting the Male Nationals in 2018. It will be an excellent opportunity to showcase our updated track and new third hardwood court in the Fieldhouse of our world-class Tournament Capital Centre."

Dani Sinclair, Head Coach of the University of Victoria Vikes said "We are very excited to welcome teams and athletes from across Canada to our campus and our new performance gym at CARSA for the 2019 Basketball Championships.  It is always an incredible opportunity to represent your province and I have no doubt that we will provide an amazing experience for everyone involved. Many of these athletes will move on to play at the U SPORTS level, and some will even have the chance to represent Canada Basketball on the International stage. We hope to engage our wider basketball community to be involved and to come out and watch these elite players and teams compete for a National title."

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