KW Titans Host First Orange Jersey Basketball Game

March 31, 2026

On Saturday March 28, the KW Titans made history hosting Ontario’s first ever Orange Jersey Basketball Game.

The Orange Jersey Project has previously brought awareness through hockey, lacrosse, and football initiatives across Canada and the March 28 event marked an important expansion into basketball. Partnering with the Orange Shirt Society and the Orange Jersey Project, it was an honour for the Titans to be a part of this initiative that supports reconciliation through sport.

Members of the KW Titans (l-r), Dominick Welch, Jaylen Bland, Nathan Charles, Tarkus Ferguson, Joel Kindred and Romani Hansen preparing for the Orange Jersey Game (Photo credit: Mona Mousa )

These ‘first games’ play an important role in demonstrating a commitment to reconciliation through action, and the power of sport to bring people together. They also serve as a call for other teams to participate and support reconciliation.

Phyllis Webstad (centre) ready for tip off with KW TItans player Braden Bell, Titans mascot Titus, and a Windsor Express player(Credit: Jordan James)

The game was especially meaningful as Phyllis Webstad, founder of the Orange Shirt Society, attended as our special guest. Phyllis, who is from Williams Lake, British Columbia, inspired Orange Shirt Day and Every Child Matters through sharing her story of having her orange shirt taken from her on her first day at residential school.

Phyllis Webstad (centre), Sheena Merling from Orange Shirt Society (left of Phyllis), Stephanie Banks, and KW Titans together before the Orange Jersey Game (Photo Credit: Mona Mousa)

Special orange jerseys worn by the team were designed by Jeremy Boston, Phyllis’ son and director with the Orange Jersey Project.

The game included a number of invited guests and activities including:

Local Indigenous leaders and groups
Local leaders
A short introduction by Phyllis at tip off
Jordan Hart performed 215 and Counting at halftime, followed by drummers and dancers
Community drumming and dancing followed the game
GRT’s Every Child Matters bus and the WRPS Every Child Matters cruiser were placed at the box office entrance as acknowledgement of the event and its importance

Antoine Mason making a basket at the Orange Jersey Game on March 28 (Credit: Jordan James)

Coordinating an event of this magnitude is no easy task, and the Titans want to thank all of the community members who helped make it possible from the Orange Jersey Project, Orange Shirt Society and the KW Titans volunteers.

A special thank goes to Sheena Merling of Orange Shirt Society for being one of the primary drivers of this event. With her endless efforts to make it all happen, Sheena was the glue that held everything together over the past year of planning and for the day of the game itself. We are incredibly grateful for all she did!

If you or your team are interested in participating in the Orange Jersey Project, you can reach out to theOJP team for more information.