The results are in and the first member of the Fraser Valley Bandits has officially been named. Meet Berry the Bandit.

Following a mascot naming contest launched in partnership with Highstreet Shopping Centre and the Abbotsford News, the Bandits have announced Berry as the name of the team’s official mascot in advance of its inaugural season in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). The name was submitted by Janine Ebel, a local resident and keen fan of the Bandits.

The name “Berry” was a fitting tribute given that Abbotsford is affectionately known as the “Raspberry Capital of Canada” and that the Fraser Valley is responsible for roughly 95 per cent of B.C.’s berry production thanks to its climate and soil conditions for growing various types of berries, according to B.C’s Ministry of Agriculture.

Berry’s first appearance will be tomorrow(January 23, 2019) at the grand opening of the Salton Road Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge.

Filed under: Berry, Fraser Valley Bandits, Mascot