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Former City Of Edmonton Councillor Bryan Anderson Passes Away

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Sep 4, 2020

TORONTO, Ont. (September 4, 2020) – Canada Basketball mourns the loss of former City of Edmonton Ward 5 councillor Bryan Anderson, who passed away this morning.

A former high school physical education teacher and local basketball coach, Anderson was instrumental in creating the basketball partnership between Canada Basketball, Alberta Basketball and the City of Edmonton, which has seen the Senior Women’s National Team call Edmonton home since 2013.

In 2018, Canada Basketball established the Bryan Anderson Most Valuable Player Award for the Edmonton Grads International Classic in honour Anderson.  Team Canada forward Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe received the award in both 2018 and 2019.  

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“I can't think of anyone more deserving of this honour. The ‘sports guy’ on City Council, Bryan was committed to advancing sport in Edmonton,” Mayor Don Iveson said of Anderson when the award was announced back in 2018. “His commitment and support were instrumental in bringing the Senior Women’s National team to our city.”

Anderson, one of Edmonton’s longest-serving city councillors, represented Wards 5 and 9 for six consecutive terms, dedicating 19 years to public service. He also led Edmonton City Council’s sport and recreation initiative and was a champion of varsity athletics, recreation and international-calibre sporting infrastructure.

“Having co-represented southwest Edmonton with Bryan, I saw firsthand his dedication and commitment to the residents of Ward 5 following a storied career as a teacher and coach,” Iveson said in a statement. “Bryan’s fervent belief in community and great sense of belonging will be greatly missed. In subsequent years, he led city council’s sport and recreation initiative and went on to champion varsity athletics, recreation and international-calibre sporting infrastructure.”

In 2019, a southside park was renamed the Bryan Anderson Athletic Grounds to honour his contributions and legacy to sport in Edmonton.

Anderson was inducted into the City of Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 as a sports advocate and builder.

Since arriving in Edmonton in 2013, Canada has risen to a program-high 4th in the FIBA World ranking presented by Nike, and has qualified for their third consecutive Olympic Games.