Posted on 21 September, 2007

Basketball Australia, Basketball Victoria and Kilsyth Basketball formed a partnership to develop the 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 gave schools within the Kilsyth and Mountain District area the opportunity to learn about basketball and win some great prizes.  Trent will receive a signed Australian Gems singlet and Gladesville Primary School will receive 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.  We congratulate Trent and all the children who entered and look forward to seeing them represent Australia as a Gem or Emu in the future” Ben Turner, Basketball Development Manager – Kilsyth Basketball.

“Basketball Victoria would like to congratulate Trent Renshaw from Gladesville Primary School for winning the Duncan’s Treasure Chest Competition.  Trent and his school friends will learn basic basketball skills and participate in fun basketball-oriented games at the Aussie Hoops clinic to be held at Kilsyth Basketball Stadium on Friday 19th October. Basketball Victoria are looking forward to meeting the children and introducing them to our wonderful sport and hope that in the future we may see some of them representing Australia as either a Gem or an Emu. We would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Kilsyth Basketball Association on linking the Aussie Hoops program to the Kilsyth Development Pathway” Karen Pearce, Participation Manager – Basketball Victoria.

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.

Trent and his school Gladesville Primary school will be at Kilsyth Basketball Stadium on Friday 19th October for the clinic.  For more information please call 03 9728 1033 or visit www.kilsythbasketball.com.au