Renewable energy company Drax today announced a donation of $10,000 to the Williams Lake Basketball Association (WLBA) as part of its commitment to improving the communities it operates in and advancing gender diversity.
Drax’s donation will help with some of the expenses required for the creation and development of a girls’ basketball team including uniforms, equipment, practice facilities and travel to tournaments.
“Our aim is to foster a love of the game of basketball as well as provide an inclusive environment where youth can go to feel part of a team and develop their confidence and interpersonal skills,” said Travis Nystoruk, President of the WLBA. “Drax’s donation will help us to expand on our successful basketball teams to include female youth in the Cariboo and take steps towards promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls in sports.”
Brigette Peel, who coaches the girls’ team, added: “Thanks to the support of Drax, we’ve been able to empower a new generation of female athletes in our community. By investing in our youth, we’re not just funding a team, but opportunities for young women to thrive through sports, fostering confidence, leadership, and a lifelong love for the game.”
The WLBA is a not-for-profit sports organization which provides basketball for youth aged 4-18 in the Cariboo region. It currently runs three boys basketball teams that competed across the province last year.
“At Drax, we’re committed to making a lasting, positive impact in the communities and regions where we operate,” said Ian Tencarre, Plant Manager at Drax Williams Lake. “Our focus is to work with local groups and organizations to improve local communities and increase access to skills development. We’re excited to be able to support this initiative to make basketball available to female youth in the Cariboo region.”
The Drax Community Fund provides grants and donations of up to $10,000 to support local projects and programs that deliver social and economic benefit within the communities where Drax operates. To apply for funding, go to www.drax.com/community-fund.
Contact Information:
Megan Hopgood
Communications Specialist, Canada
1-778-871-4738
[email protected]
About Drax
Drax Group’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future and in 2019 announced a world-leading ambition to be carbon negative by 2030, using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology.
Drax’s around 3,000 employees operate across three principal areas of activity – electricity generation, electricity sales to business customers and compressed wood pellet production and supply to third parties. For more information visit www.drax.com/ca
