‍TORONTO (February 28, 2024) – As Canada Basketball sets its sights on the podium at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games podium, the Canada Basketball Courtside Club continues to help turn this dream into a reality through its unwavering national team support.

Launched in 2022, the Courtside Club was founded by Nav Bhatia, Global Community Ambassador of Canada Basketball and Toronto Raptor's Superfan, to support the podium aspirations of the organization financially.

“With both our men’s and women’s basketball teams representing Canada at the Olympics for the first time in 24 years, now is our time,” said Bhatia. “Canada Basketball’s goal is to have both teams standing on the podium in Paris, and to achieve that requires a significant financial contribution.  With the Courtside Club, we want to support the organization by helping raise the funds needed for the teams to compete globally.” 

The Canada Basketball Courtside Club offers donors and supporters exclusive behind-the-scenes access to training camps, games and courtside experiences at all Canada Basketball games and tournaments in Canada and worldwide. 

Bhatia enlisted the services of Rinku Ghei and Push Marketing Group, the marketing company behind the Superfan Brand, to bring the Courtside Club dream to life.

“When Nav approached us with the idea of raising money for Canada Basketball, the Courtside Club was born,” Ghei said. “The organization supported the concept, and we began recruiting members immediately. What better way to raise money and grow the game than offering a “Superfan” experience with Canada Basketball worldwide.”

Over the last several years, the Courtside Club has experienced tremendous growth in membership and donations as over $1.2 million has been raised to ensure our Canada Basketball teams and athletes have the tools and resources to succeed internationally.  In addition to Bhatia, other members of the Courtside Club include Dave Padayachee, Sahib Rana, and Sam McDadi.

“Reaching our podium objectives and performance trajectory requires significant contributions from dedicated basketball supporters like Nav and the Canada Basketball Courtside Club,” said Michael Bartlett, President & CEO of Canada Basketball. “As a long-time supporter of Canada Basketball and basketball in Canada, Nav recognizes first-hand the power our game has to unite people of all ages and backgrounds. This backing from private donors is helping to elevate our national team performances and athlete experience to new heights.”

By investing in our competitive advantages through Canada Basketball’s Courtside Club, donors will receive the following:

- Priceless hospitality and behind-the-scenes experiences with Canada Basketball athletes and coaches

- VIP access to all Canada Basketball competitions on home soil and ticket package options for all international competitions.

- Exclusive fan experiences, including but not limited to:

- Private dinner and chalk talk with Senior National Team head coaches

- Exclusive trip to Las Vegas with VIP event access as Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team faces USA Basketball.

- Access to purchase tickets for all Team Canada 5-on-5 and 3x3 basketball events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Membership to the Courtside Club involves a donation program to Canada Basketball starting from $50,000.  If you want to learn more about the Canada Basketball Courtside Club and become a member today, contact Rinku Ghei (rinku@pushmarketinggroup.com).

An annual tax receipt for the donation amount, less advantage, will be issued by Canada Basketball, and this contribution can be made personally or via your business.