Posted on 16 August, 2007
Basketball Australia, Basketball Victoria and Kilsyth Basketball have formed a partnership to develop a competition aimed at increasing both the awareness of Aussie Hoops Oz Ball and the National Junior Teams – Emus, Gems and Sapphires.
Duncan’s Treasure Chest Word Search will give schools within the Kilsyth and Mountain District area the opportunity to learn about basketball and win some great prizes. The winning entrant will receive a signed Australian Gems singlet with the entrants school receiving a clinic with some of the Junior National Team players as well as ten Aussie Hoops kits for their school.
Aussie Hoops is for kids to have fun while experiencing basketball and learning new skills. Basketball is one of the world’s most popular sports and can be enjoyed by everyone. Aussie Hoops is a program designed for all children – all abilities.
Aussie Hoops can be played all year round, inside or out. There are a range of Aussie Hoops sessions available from in-school and after-school programs, holiday camps and competitions.
Aussie Hoops is a new program to Kilsyth and it will provide a starting point for children within the area to start playing the game of basketball. “Aussie Hoops is an important piece of the Kilsyth Development Pathway and we look forward to introducing basketball to the community through Aussie Hoops” Ben Turner, Basketball Development Manager – Kilsyth Basketball.
“Basketball Victoria are excited to be involved in this partnership with Kilsyth Basketball and Basketball Australia promoting opportunities to pathways from Aussie Hoops to National League representation. Aussie Hoops is the ideal vehicle to not only encourage participation in basketball, but to allow the opportunity to be active, learn about teamwork, increase confidence and self-esteem, create good sportsmanship and help to improve the health and well-being of the children involved in this program” Karen Pearce, Participation and Education Manager, Basketball Victoria
“The Kilsyth Basketball Duncan’s Treasure Chest Word Search Competition is a fantastic initiative aimed at using Aussie Hoops and the recent success of the National Junior teams (the Sapphires and Emus) as a vehicle to promote basketball in the local community. Thank you to Kilsyth Basketball and Basketball Victoria and we look forward to the success of this competition” Michael Haynes, GM Community Basketball – Basketball Australia.
Aussie Hoops is the beginning of the Kilsyth Development Pathway, the National Junior Teams are naturally higher on the pathway and it is hoped the Aussie Hoops players of today will be the future Emus, Gems and Sapphires.
The National Junior Teams consist of 19 years and under Men’s (Emus) and Women’s (Gems) team as well as the 21 and under Women’s team the Sapphires who recently won a silver medal in the World Championships. This year is the World Championship year for all three teams with the Emus recently finishing 5th going down by 1 point in their only loss of the tournament which put them out of medal contention. The Gems also finished 5th after rolling the Slovak Republic.
“We are thankful to the Kilsyth Basketball Association for putting together this competition to promote our National Junior Teams in the local community. It is also great to see this initiative link the recent success of the Sapphires and Emus (and hopefully the Gems) to the Aussie Hoops program.” Lorraine Landon, GM National Teams and Competitions – Basketball Australia.
Duncan’s Treasure Chest Word Search will be sent out to all local competition players and schools over the next week. Entry Forms will also be available via www.kilsythbasketball.com.au
www.aussiehoops.com.au and www.basketballvictoria.com.au
