U17 player Jayden Thomas will be among the participatants at the JANT 2023 basketball tournament, set to be hosted by Snuneymuxw First Nation in March. (Chelsea Cavanagh/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Chelsea Cavanagh

JANT 2023

‘It’s bringing the hype to the community:’ Snuneymuxw First Nation ready for major sporting showcase

Feb 9, 2023 | 11:40 AM

NANAIMO — Snuneymuxw First Nation is gearing up to host the Junior All Native Tournament (JANT) for the first time in eight years.

JANT is an annual basketball tournament dating back to 1960, showcasing athleticism of First Nations youth in B.C. The event includes U13 and U17 teams for both boys and girls.

It’s the largest First Nations tournament in B.C, travelling to different territories every year, according to SFN councillor and tournament director, Kate Good. She added the event also promotes active lifestyles and healthy habits.

“It’s exciting for our youth because it’s one full week of high-intensity basketball. Promoting health and wellness within our youth and creating that foundation is very important for us to set the stage and help guide our kids down that way,”

A Wednesday, Feb. 8 rally marked roughly six weeks until tip off, with SFN’s young athletes already getting hyped for the upcoming tournament.

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Organizers expect to see 94 teams and over 1,200 youth athletes and 200 coaches participating.

More than 1,200 spectators are expected with representation of over 100 First Nations and communities.

Good said having the tournament back at home also helps promote a sense of comaraderie for the youths.

“I think having it come back shows great pride for our athletes, being able to really showcase where they live and be proud of Snuneymuxw, and be proud of who you are.”

Along with bringing recognition to the community, the athletes are also looking forward to getting competitive, and enjoying their “home court advantage.”

“I’ve only seen and been at one tournament that’s been here in Nanaimo, so it means a lot more to me to be playing at home than anywhere else,”Jayden Thomas, a U17 player for Snuneymuxw, told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Thomas said he looks forward to the intensity and energy spectators bring to the game, and getting to play with his team.

“We’re all close friends you know, we talk all the time, almost everyday, I feel like we’ve got great chemistry.

The Junior All Native Tournament will run from Mar. 19-24 with games played at six gymnasiums across Nanaimo.

Opening ceremonies are scheduled for Mar. 19 at Frank Crane Arena.

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chelsea.cavanagh@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW