Posted on 22 October, 2007

Trent was the lucky winner of Duncan’s Treasure Chest Word Search Competition.

Over 100 students were involved in a day of fun activities which included guest appearances from Duncan, Elyse Penaluna – Australia Sapphires and Brad Hill – South Dragons. All students received a showbag and lined up for autographes at the end of the session.

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 won a signed Australian Gems singlet and 10 Aussie Hoops Prize Packs for his school.  This was all presented at the special Skill, Fun and Play day put on for Gladesville Primary School.

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, Emus and Gems to the Aussie Hoops program.”  Lorraine Landon, GM National Teams and Competitions – Basketball Australia.

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, Emu or Sapphire in the future” Ben Turner, Basketball Development Manager – Kilsyth Basketball.

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. Congratulations to Trent and Gladesville Primary School. 

For photos of the day please visit the Kilsyth Basketball Photo Gallery