The Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Basketball Association believes the hype surrounding the Toronto Raptors in the province is partially in thanks to the St. John’s Edge.

The NLBA is the sport governing body for amateur basketball in the province.

Judy Byrne says there is a lot of basketball hype in the province. She says they are attracting more and younger fans due – in part – to the Edge joining the basketball community. The whole Raptors scene is the icing on the cake.

Byrne says there is no doubt of an uptake in basketball across Newfoundland and Labrador.

She points back to the St. John’s Edge, as they have inspired and rejuvenated the game in the province. Byrne says they are seeing club programs really take off and expand across the province.