Boomers to play in Cairns
Boomers coming to Cairns during Games
CAIRNS Taipans guard Cameron Gliddon loves wearing orange but doesn’t mind green and gold either. The Snakes skipper is a chance to represent Australia in front of a Far North crowd at next year’s Commonwealth Games with the Boomers set to play the opening rounds of the tournament in Cairns next April . While Mareeba’s Aron Baynes is unlikely to be available due to his NBA commitments, it could pave the way for Taipans’ such as Gliddon, Mitch McCarron and Nate Jawai to play in front of their home fans.
GC 2018 ambassador and NBA point guard Patty Mills, who is in the Far North today, believes Cairns is a perfect spot to host the Australian team.
“It’s really exciting for the people of North Queensland, especially the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, to have the opportunity to witness international basketball in their own backyard,” Mills said.
CAIRNS will be central to the Australian Boomers’ chase for a Commonwealth Games gold medal next year.
The Australian Boomers will be based in the Far North for the preliminary rounds of the basketball competition in next year’s competition, it was announced yesterday.
GC 2018 ambassador and NBA point guard Patty Mills, who is in the Far North today, says Cairns is a perfect spot for his teammates to go for gold.
“It’s really exciting for the people of North Queensland, especially the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, to have the opportunity to witness international basketball in their own backyard,” Mills said.
With Mills and Mareeba’s Aron Baynes unlikely to be available due to their NBA commitments, it could pave the way for Cairns Taipans’ captain Cameron Gliddon and fellow Taipans Mitch McCarron and Nate Jawai to play in front of their home fans.
The Boomers squad is expected to be similar to that of the one that is in Lebanon to compete in the FIBA Asia Cup, which begins tomorrow.
“Unfortunately I can’t be part of the action during the Games due to my NBA commitments but I know the Australian men’s and women’s teams are going to be bursting with pride to represent their country on home soil,” Mills said.
“It’s an exciting time for basketball in Australia and I’m sure the people of North Queensland are going to make the most of this rare opportunity.”
The 16 nations for the men’s and women’s competitions will be split into two pools of four which will compete against each other during the preliminary rounds to be held in Townsville and Cairns between April 5-10. The finals will be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 13-15.
The Cairns Convention Centre will play host to Pool A matches in the men’s competition between top-seeded nations Australia, Nigeria, New Zealand and Canada, as well as Pool B matches in the women’s competition.
“FIBA is thrilled that basketball at the Commonwealth Games will be played regionally for the preliminary rounds,” FIBA Oceania executive director David Crocker said.
Remaining tickets to the basketball preliminaries in Townsville and Cairns can be bought via gc2018.com/tickets.