Saskatchewan Rattlers host training camp in Regina for first time

WATCH: For the first time ever, the Saskatchewan Rattlers hosted a practice in the Queen City as part of the team’s outreach.

The Saskatchewan Rattlers have stepped foot in Regina for the first time in preparation for this year’s season in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL).

As part of their training camp, the Rattlers invited the public to their practice on Saturday at the University of Regin with the goal of bringing the basketball community together.

“We’re a provincial based team, and everything about sports is community,” said the team’s president Lee Genier.

“It’s great having a ton of people here today to watch and interacting with the kids, which is fantastic, and making fans, building those connections as well.”

Genier added that people from across the province travel to attend the team’s home games in Saskatoon every year, and in return wanted to show their appreciation.

“Basketball is the number one growing sport in Canada, in North America right now, right across the province, basketball programs are exploding,” he shared.

“It’s great. It’s on a huge upward trajectory.”

With the season beginning shortly, Rattler’s head coach Eric Magdanz said he is excited for the community to see “sheer athleticism” of the team.

• Download the CTV News app for local breaking news alerts on your mobile device

“I’ve really liked how we’ve come together. Our energy, our camaraderie, has been great throughout all of our training camp,” he shared.

“Hopefully we can keep that together and get us our first big win.”

The team’s first home opener game will be in Saskatoon on May 15 against the Vancouver Bandits.

“It’s a great entertainment. If basketball is not even your sport, that’s not even a big thing because there’s so many different parts of the game to enjoy,” Magdanz said.

“The halftime show is amazing, the venue at SaskTel is first class. We hope to see people come out.”