MOREE is set to see a junior basketball competition return to the town for the first time in 25 years.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It is a massive coup for the town as well as the PCYC who have agreed to run the competition.
There will be four teams in the 11-14 year age group with the possibility of another two teams joining as well as a vision to set up a 15-17 year competition.
The desire to have basketball played at junior level in Moree has come from the women’s competition being re-formed through the hard work of John Conomos.
The PCYC has been in contact with NSW Basketball trying to set up the Aussie Hoops development program which is aimed at developing the skill for children aged seven to 10. It will give young players the right skill base to be able to make the transition into the competition when they are old enough to participate.
PCYC president Andrew Ryan is thrilled to once again have the competition back.
“We have been in talks with NSW Basketball. On the back of that we have had interest from parents who want their kids to play basketball,” Ryan said.
Getting people keen to play was the first challenge and the next was to try and get people interested in volunteering as referees - the hardest job in any sports competition.
“It’s been fantastic. We ran a referees course and we had 10 people turn up to get their certificate. The interest has been fantastic. It gives everyone a reason to be active and get back into the sport,” Ryan explained.
A lot of hard work has been done to get a competition running with the Commonwealth Bank donating four sets of uniforms.
Moree residents Deb Cain, Jenee Smith and Tash Heffernan have done a lot of work behind the scenes to ensure that the competition would run once more. Cain spoke to the Moree Champion and was excited to have what used to be a big sport in Moree back.
“It’s all thanks to the PCYC and to the parents involved. Junior basketball hasn’t been here for 25 years and it’s good to have it back.
“They (the kids) really love it, they really do,” Cain commented.
The first round of matches will take place at 9am this Saturday at the PCYC with the Heat taking on the Bulls as well as the Lakers going head to head with the Magic.
Anyone interested in participating can still do so by registering for $50 at the PCYC on Saturday morning.