RIVER LIONS ANNOUNCE OPEN PRACTICES FOR FANS ACROSS NIAGARA
St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara River Lions are proud to announce the launch of their 2026 Open Practices, a community-focused basketball initiative that will bring experiences to neighbourhoods across the Niagara Region, including stops in Port Colborne, Grimsby and St. Catharines through three free open practices this summer. This program reflects the River Lions ongoing commitment to the Niagara Region by fostering a vibrant basketball culture, supporting accessible, high-quality playing environments, and creating meaningful opportunities for the community to connect with the River Lions.
The launch of this program plans to build on the River Lions existing commitment to growing the sport of Basketball across all twelve municipalities. Existing initiatives including the Mesh Refresh program have worked to implement upgrades to outdoor courts and make the sport of basketball more accessible in the Niagara Region. The three open practices, which are free for fans to attend, will further expand on the River Lions’ community engagement efforts by providing fans with the opportunity to watch professional basketball practices firsthand while participating in skill development activities led by professional coaches and players.
The 2026 Open Practices will provide the opportunity to gain a behind the scenes look at the preparation and teamwork that contributes to the River Lions success, offering fans of all ages the opportunity to connect with the team. Led by River Lions Head Coach and General Manager Kimbal Mackenzie, each practice will begin with 1 hour of River Lions Practice. Next, fans will be able to hop on the court for 30 minutes of skill demonstrations and drills led by River Lions players and coaches. Each session will wrap up with opportunities for fans to take photos and receive autographs from some of their favourite River Lions.
“Bringing open practices to Port Colborne and Grimsby is a meaningful step for our organization.” said Business Operations Manager, Tyler Vincent. “The River Lions represent more than just one city, we represent an entire region and it is important that we show up in communities across Niagara, create access for our fans, and make sure everyone feels connected to this team.”
Open Practice Schedule:
- Tuesday May 12 - Port Colborne | Vale Health and Wellness Centre (6:00pm - 8:00pm)
- Tuesday June 16 - Grimsby | Major Refrigeration Peach King Centre (6:15pm - 8:15pm)
- Tuesday July 7 - St. Catharines | Meridian Centre (6:00pm - 8:00pm)
Community members are encouraged to attend, participate, and experience basketball in their own neighborhood. RSVP’s are encouraged through visiting www.riverlions.ca/openpracRSVP.
The Niagara River Lions are one of the founding franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and the league’s reigning back-to-back champions (2024 & 2025). Competing out of the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, from May to August each season, the River Lions proudly represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region, uniting fans through passion, pride, and purpose. Entering their second decade, the River Lions have earned a reputation for championship-caliber performance and community impact, embodying the strength and spirit of Niagara both on and off the court.
For more information, visit www.riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, & LinkedIn and @RiverLions on X.
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Media Contact:
Cole Meyering
Communications Coordinator