Brandon, MB – The Brandon Wheat Kings, along with Equipment Manager Scott Hlady are proud to launch a new charity initiative, “Wheat Kings Fight.” The program, which will launch on December 1st will help raise money for different charities and organizations around Westman. Hlady, who started the BIRT Cup Charity Golf Tournament back in 2007 says sometimes a small idea can turn into a big boost for the community. “Little things that we can do go a long way towards giving back to our community,” said Hlady. “The BIRT Cup started with 17 golfers and is now one of the biggest summer golf fundraisers in the city.” With the support of Wheat Kings Owner Jared Jacobson and Progressive Westman, the Wheat Kings will launch a different t-shirt each month, that fans can order online. Proceeds from the sales will benefit a different charity or group. In December, all money raised will be donated to the Kidney Foundation of Canada in honour of long time Wheat Kings volunteer Al Gibb who is currently awaiting a Kidney Donation. Fans may have also noticed a special decal on the visitor’s penalty box door, a gold heart with GIBBY in the middle. This was strategically placed on Gibb’s penalty box so he could see the team’s support while watching the WHL Live stream while resting from home. “Since I can remember, the community has always supported the Wheat Kings and other sports teams and groups. As community leaders, it’s a privilege for us to give back.” January is tabbed as the Wheat Kings ‘Hockey Fights Cancer’ month and will culminate on Saturday the 22nd vs Regina when the team wears special lavender jerseys, designed by Brooks Freeman. Those sweaters will be auctioned off in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. In addition to the jersey auction, all month long the Wheat Kings will sell special lavender t-shirts for $40.00, that will include a ticket to the Hockey Fights Cancer game with proceeds to the Canadian Cancer Society as well. Fans are encouraged to order their Wheat Kings Fight t-shirt online HERE the BWK Team Store will have limited quantities and sizing in stock. Additional monthly charities will be announced at a later date.

Brandon's Braden Keeble will join the Brooks Bandits, of the AJHL, for the 2022-23 season. Keeble is currently a member of the Brandon U18 Wheat Kings and he leads the Manitoba AAA League in scoring with 47 points (14G, 33A) in 19 games. According to today's announcement on the Bandits webpage, Keeble "couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity next season" and is excited to get started with the team. The Bandits currently sit in first place in the AJHL's South Division with an impressive 24-1-1 record.

CurlManitoba and Sunrise Credit Union are pleased to announce a sponsorship agreement for live streaming of three of the most prominent curling events in the province. Sunrise will be the exclusive financial services sponsor of the live streaming coverage of the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Carberry, the Viterra Provincial Men's Curling Championship in Selkirk, and the TELUS Junior Men's and Women's Championship in Brandon. “The history and heritage of curling in Manitoba has strong roots built on camaraderie, much like the history of credit unions in the province.  Right around the time that outdoor curling with cement-filled jam tins became a craze across the Prairies, credit unions were growing in size and number as groups of people helping people came together to help each other financially.  Supporting CurlManitoba is a natural fit for our organization,” said Sunrise Credit Union President & CEO Tim Klassen.  "The ability for us to help provide online access to watch these events will be significant for those who are unable to attend live events." CurlManitoba will live stream approximately 35 games and more than 72 hours of coverage during the three events. Live streaming allows dedicated curling fans the opportunity to watch top-end curling on desktop and mobile devices if they are unable to attend these events in person. “It will be great for curling fans across Manitoba and around the world to be able to see our best athletes competing for these provincial titles,” said CurlManitoba Executive Director Craig Baker. “In Manitoba, distance is a big factor in preventing friends and fans from attending in-person to support their team. Professional live-streaming is an important addition to our existing TV broadcast package as we try to ensure the widest possible access to this great championship curling.” CurlManitoba has some of the highest provincial curling digital views in Canada with over 1.8 million total page views with 145,000+ visitors averaging four pages/session over 4.5 minutes.

The City of Brandon, management and staff at Brandon’s Community Sportsplex are anticipating the reopening of the Sportsplex Pool in the coming month. The Sportsplex Pool has been closed due to mechanical system deficiencies. Construction was expected to be completed by mid-September, however unanticipated delays have impacted the completion date. A firm reopening date will be released once final inspection by Manitoba Public Health has been completed. Delays will have a direct impact on registered programming in the Fall 2021 session. Current registrants will receive further communication regarding these impacts. Information for public swim, lap swim, and aquafit is available at brandon.ca/pool. Information on Red Cross swim lessons and aquatic leadership courses is available at brandon.ca/swimming-lessons. Residents can also make Facility Reservation Requests. More information can be found at mycommunity.brandon.ca or by calling 204-729-2471. (City of Brandon PSA)

The North Central Hockey League will operate the 2021-22 season with four teams taking to the ice. Miniota-Elkhorn, Russell, Swan Valley Axemen and Waywayseecappo Warriors will each play a 12-game schedule, with a double home and home against each team. The season starts on Friday, November 12 and concludes Saturday, February 5. All four teams will complete in the playoffs for the league title. The league schedule can be found here.