Nation Extreme Wrestling (NEW) is proud to announce a landmark sponsorship agreement with Sandher Fruit Packers, a Kelowna-based grower and distributor of apples and cherries. The partnership, which extends through the end of 2025, will support NEW as it transitions from a for-profit corporation to a registered non-profit society.
For the past four years, NEW has provided a platform for BC-based wrestling trainees and performers to showcase their talents in front of live audiences. Our events have taken place at some of the province’s most iconic venues, including the Commodore Ballroom, Nat Bailey Stadium, Vancouver Convention Centre, Terry Fox Theatre, the Pearl Nightclub, and our regular home—the historic WISE Hall in East Vancouver.
This new sponsorship aligns with the values of the Sandher family, who this year launched Sandher Feeds Canada, a philanthropic initiative aimed at giving back to the country that helped them build their success. The program supports organizations that promote diversity, wellness, poverty reduction, arts, culture, education, and environmental stewardship. The first sponsorship made supported a Richmond kids soccer tournament.
Bill Sandher arrived in Canada as a 17-year-old fruit picker from India. Over the next four decades, he built his own farm and eventually launched a national fruit company whose products are now found in Costco, Safeway, Walmart, and other major retailers.
The Sandher family’s grant will help NEW cover the costs associated with its non-profit conversion and establish a financial foundation to ensure long-term sustainability. Becoming a non-profit will allow NEW to access grants and funding from arts, culture, and sports organizations, while also improving our ability to represent the local wrestling community to government bodies, media outlets, and supporters.
We see this as the beginning of a new era for professional wrestling in Vancouver—one where the sport is recognized as a vital part of the city’s cultural and athletic identity. NEW is grateful to Sandher Fruit Packers for their belief in our mission and hopes this marks the first of many community-driven partnerships to come.