Saskatoon Public Schools Students Invited to Attend First-Ever “Be Well” School Day Game Focused on Well-Being
Thousands of Saskatoon Public Schools students are getting the chance to attend a professional basketball game during the school day this spring as part of a new initiative focused on student well-being, belonging, and healthy decision-making.

On May 14, 2026, the Saskatoon Mamba will host the 1st Annual “Be Well” School Day Game at SaskTel Centre. Open to students in grades 5–12, the event has been developed in partnership with Saskatoon Public Schools and reflects the division’s ongoing commitment to supporting student well-being and helping students develop the skills to make healthy choices.
“This is about much more than a basketball game,” says Colleen Norris, Saskatoon Public Schools’ Deputy Director of Education. “It’s about creating opportunities for students to feel connected and inspired. Experiences like this help bring our commitment to well-being to life and support students in building the skills they need to make healthy choices.”
The Be Well School Day Game serves as the season opener for the Mamba vs. the Vancouver Bandits and will combine a live Canadian Elite Basketball League experience with wellness-focused programming. Students will take part in activities with messaging centered on resilience, belonging, emotional regulation and mental health, with Saskatoon Mamba players sharing their own experiences and insights.
The experience will also extend beyond game day, with pre- and post-game classroom visits from players and team representatives to reinforce key messages in a more focused learning environment.
Participation in the Be Well School Day Game is $21 per student, which includes transportation, in-class athlete engagement and a complimentary ticket to a future Saskatoon Mamba regular-season game. Organizers are working to secure community support so that all interested students may participate, regardless of financial circumstances.
"When we proudly relaunched Saskatoon’s professional basketball team last month, we stood with students from Bedford Road and Mount Royal Collegiate and promised that the Mamba would be about more than just basketball," said Co-Chairman, Jason Ribeiro. "Every young person deserves the chance to experience the energy of live sports and entertainment and feel a sense of belonging. We are deeply grateful for the collaboration and partnership from both the division and the foundation."
Mike Tanton, Community Advisor for the Saskatoon Mamba, is helping lead the initiative. A longtime coach, youth advocate and community builder, Tanton brings more than 30 years of experience supporting Indigenous youth and integrating cultural and educational programming into sport.
“When I heard the first whisperings of a wellness-focus school day game, I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” says Tanton. “Making basketball accessible, empowering youth, and strengthening community are things that most of us can get behind. I’m excited that we’re going to make this happen for Saskatoon youth.”
Event details are as follows:
1st Annual Be Well School Day Game
Thursday, May 14, 2026
SaskTel Centre
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Media are welcome to attend; please check in at the front desk upon arrival.
About Saskatoon Public Schools – Saskatoon Public Schools is the largest school division in Saskatchewan, serving nearly 29,000 students across 48 elementary schools and 10 secondary schools.
About Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation – The Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation is a registered charity that works in partnership with Saskatoon Public Schools to remove barriers to learning and opportunity.
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About Saskatoon Mamba
The Saskatoon Mamba are a professional basketball team in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, committed to connecting with communities through sport, entertainment, and culture. The Saskatoon Mamba (previously Saskatchewan Rattlers) tipped off their inaugural season at SaskTel Centre in May 2019 and went on to win the inaugural Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) championship. The Mamba are active members of the community, participating in countless events that connect the team with diverse communities through sport, entertainment, and arts and culture. The team has restored over 100 basketball nets across the city to make basketball more accessible to youth. For more information, visit saskatoonmamba.ca.








