The Rattlers are teaming up with Hughes and other members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, as well as retired NHL pros, to tour  Saskatchewan promoting a message of anti-bullying through the game of basketball. The “Dunk Out Bullying” campaign returns for a  second year after an incredibly successful tour in 2019. The Dunk Out Bullying tour runs from Mar. 4–25, with the all-star lineup  wearing Rattlers uniforms and playing fun exhibitions with school teams.

This year’s tour will extend its reach to the northern First Nation of English River, approximately 500 kilometres north of Saskatoon,  where the tour will stop at St. Louis School in Patuanak. Other stops include Father Vachon and Chief Whitecap School in Saskatoon,  as well as Kenaston School and Dalmeny High School. The Dunk Out Bullying tour, including the visit to Patuanak is being  sponsored by Des Nedhe Group and Creative Fire, the economic development entities of English River First Nation.

“We can’t wait to get back out there for a second season of the tour,” said Charleston Hughes, a six-time CFL all-star. “It was a ton of  fun last year and this year promises to be bigger and better.”

“Charleston and the rest of the members taking part in this tour are outstanding spokespeople for this campaign,” said Rattlers  President and COO, Lee Genier. “At the Rattlers we pride ourselves on being inclusive and accessible to everyone. Our involvement  in this program is paramount as it aligns perfectly with our values and beliefs. We believe that by coming together through the game  of basketball we can make a big difference with our message in these communities and across the province.”

The visit to Patuanak is expected to be a highlight of this year’s tour – for the athletes and the members of English River First Nation.  (A video team will be travelling to Patuanak and footage can be available to media upon request.)

“We believe it’s important to talk with kids about bullying – in our community and across the province,” said English River First  Nation Chief Jerry Bernard. “We’re proud that we can make this possible through our businesses at Des Nedhe and Creative Fire. It’s  a chance to welcome the all-stars to our community and to give our kids and community members a chance to meet some role models  and all-stars.”

The Rattlers enter the 2020 season as the defending CEBL Champions. They open the season on the road May 8 when they visit the  Fraser Valley Bandits. The Rattlers home opener will take place May 14 against the Bandits, when they will celebrate the 2019 season  by unveiling the first-ever CEBL Championship banner. Season tickets and flex packs are available on therattlers.ca/tickets , with group and  single-game tickets expected to be released in the coming months.

For more information on the Rattlers, visit therattlers.ca or cebl.ca.

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is a new basketball experience that features world-class professional basketball in a  fan-friendly entertainment environment across seven cities in Canada. The 2019 inaugural season saw more than 100 Canadian and  international players take to the court, culminating with the Saskatchewan Rattlers earning the first CEBL championship trophy.  CEBL players come from NBA G-League clubs, top NCAA programs, the Canadian national program, U SPORTS and other Division 1 FIBA leagues. As the First Division Professional League partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL is set to start its second season in  May 2020. All games are live streamed on the CBC Gem app, CEBL.TV and the Island Sports Network. Head to cebl.ca or follow us  on Twitter , Instagram , and Facebook to learn more.