UFV supports Indigenous youth athletes as co‑presenting sponsor of Junior All Native Tournament

The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) supported Indigenous youth athletes as a co‑presenting sponsor of the 2026 Junior All Native Tournament (JANT), the largest Indigenous youth sports gathering in British Columbia and one of the largest basketball tournaments in Canada.

Held in Langley from March 15 to 20, 2026, the landmark 50th edition of JANT welcomed more than 1,200 youth athletes, over 100 teams, and upwards of 10,000 travellers from more than 100 Indigenous communities across the province. The tournament was hosted jointly by the Vancouver Bandits, Bandits Community Foundation, Vancity Nation Basketball, and Kwantlen First Nation.

As part of its sponsorship, UFV supported on‑site athletic therapy services throughout the tournament. Students and faculty from UFV’s School of Kinesiology provided athletic therapy coverage under the supervision of UFV head athletic therapist Grant Ammann, helping to ensure the health, safety, and well‑being of participating athletes during the week‑long event.

In total, 32 UFV students volunteered their time at the tournament, including 15 students from the varsity student trainer program. Varsity student‑trainers stepped into leadership roles, mentoring kinesiology peers while gaining valuable hands‑on experience in a fast‑paced, high‑impact environment.

“The energy in the sports centre during the opening ceremony was incredible,” said Grant. “Seeing the sheer number of athletes involved really highlighted how significant this tournament is — and how important it was to have strong athletic therapy support in place. Our students rose to the occasion and represented the university exceptionally well.”

The experience offered meaningful professional development for students while reinforcing UFV’s commitment to community engagement and Indigenous Reconciliation. Through volunteer service, students applied classroom learning in real‑world settings, supported youth athletes, and contributed in a way that had immediate and tangible impact.

“Volunteering at JANT was an incredibly meaningful experience,” said UFV student Ellie Cusworth. “Being part of such a large and culturally significant event, and having the opportunity to support Indigenous youth athletes, really put into perspective the impact we can have as students. It was fast-paced and challenging at times, but also very rewarding to contribute to an environment where athletes felt supported and cared for.”

“Supporting Indigenous youth through sport reflected UFV’s commitment to community engagement and experiential learning, and was consistent with our responsibilities toward Reconciliation,” said Michael Gaetz, director of UFV’s School of Kinesiology. “Our students gained valuable, hands‑on experience while contributing to the health and well‑being of young athletes and communities from across British Columbia.”

UFV President James Mandigo emphasized the broader significance of the partnership. “The Junior All Native Tournament represented the power of sport to bring communities together and inspire the next generation,” he said. “UFV was proud to support this important event and to contribute the expertise of our School of Kinesiology in helping create a safe, supportive environment for Indigenous youth athletes.”

Community partners also highlighted the strength of the collaboration.

“We were incredibly excited to partner with UFV to support the young athletes participating in JANT,” said Dylan Kular, Vancouver Bandits Team President and JANT co‑chair. “Seeing UFV students and faculty step in to support these athletes demonstrated the university’s commitment to youth across British Columbia and the power of coming together with a shared purpose.”

For nearly 50 years, the Junior All Native Tournament has been a cornerstone event, celebrating sport, culture, and community while inspiring Indigenous youth to pursue their goals on and off the court. UFV was honoured to play a role in supporting this legacy — helping students grow as capable, thoughtful changemakers while strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities across the province.