Cape Breton University is hosting the Capers Fall Classic Women’s Basketball Friendship Games from October 21-23 at the Sullivan Fieldhouse. The three-day tournament will showcase basketball talent from around the world as teams participating include the Beijing Shougang Basketball Club-one the top women’s teams in China, the McMaster University Marauders from Hamilton, Ontario, and the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack from Kamloops, British Columbia. This is the first time the Beijing Shougang Basketball Club has played in Canada.
The Capers Fall Classic is an extension of the East Meets East Friendship Games, which saw the CBU Men’s Basketball Team travel to Beijing in December 2010.
“As a result of ongoing dialogue with senior representatives of the Shougang Institute of Technology, the team’s sponsor, combined with the work of CBU’s Beijing Office, our relationship in that country continues to strengthen, making it possible for our students to be exposed to an international level of play here on the CBU campus,” says CBU President Dr. John Harker. “Additionally, our reputation in China as a valued Canadian post-secondary institution and partner is growing, as validated by the 350 Chinese students who have chosen CBU as their university. I expect the tournament will be yet another high-calibre event for CBU and exciting opportunity for our students, faculty, staff, and the local community to dress in orange and cheer on the Capers.”
The Beijing Shougang Basketball Club will arrive in Cape Breton on Wednesday, October 19, while the remaining two teams will arrive on Thursday and Friday. The games begin on Friday, October 21 at 6 pm, when the Beijing Shougang Basketball Club takes on McMaster University. The CAPERS will face Thompson Rivers University at 8 pm.
The CAPERS Women’s Basketball Team are the reigning Atlantic University Sport Champions and current Canadian Interuniversity Sport Bronze Medallists. The Capers Fall Classic is an exceptional kick-off to what is sure to be another great season for the Capers Women’s Basketball program.
“This weekend’s tournament is going to be a great event for CBU and the local community,” says Fabian McKenzie, Head Coach, CAPERS Women’s Basketball. “Local basketball fans will be treated to some very good CIS Basketball teams and they will get the opportunity to see a team with a great deal of international experience. Having travelled to different parts of the world and seeing basketball played many different ways, it will be exciting to have the fans see our guests from China. I know our players and the players on the other CIS teams are excited for the opportunity of a lifetime to compete against a group of talented athletes from China. Having been to China twice with our national team I am very excited to host the Beijing Shougang Basketball Club. On both occasions we were treated extremely well and enjoyed a tremendous experience. I am hopeful that the team and all of their representatives have a memorable visit to Cape Breton.”
Key players for the Beijing Shougang Basketball Club include Zhang Lin, who plays for China’s National Team and Nicky Anosike, of the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, who captured back-to-back NCAA championships with the University of Tennessee in 2007 and 2008 and was a WNBA all-star in 2009.
While on the Island the Beijing Shougang Team will experience Cape Breton culture with a trip to the Cabot Trail making stops in Ingonish and Chéticamp. As well, a welcome lunch is being held on Friday, October 21 at 12 noon in The Pit Lounge.
For a complete schedule visit gocapersgo.ca.
