Juniors win selection
Five under-12 Horsham Amateur Basketball Association athletes will represent the region at the 2017 Basketball Victoria Country Jamboree in Echuca next month.
Zahra Johns, Hugh Dougherty, Jasper James, Rory Cameron and Zak Smith are among 240 boys and girls from across the state to win selection for the event, which nurtures the next generation of country basketballers.
Association vice-president Nicole Lakin said she was pleased to see the traditionally strong HABA again well represented.
“The kids were chosen following an under-12 skills day in Hamilton two weeks ago,” she said.
“Only the top-age under-12s get to go. It is the same pathway players such as Mitch Creek and Chloe Bibby went down. It is the start of the pathway for kids wanting to develop as basketballers.”
Mrs Lakin said participants would be divided into teams of boys and girls and play two games a day.
“There will also be training sessions in between,” she said.
“It gives the participants an understanding of the first stage of the Basketball Victoria Country program, which they will continue to learn up to under-16s.
“Each child receives equal court time. It’s not about winning, it’s about the experience.”
Mrs Lakin said the camp was not restricted to players.
“It is also for coaches, managers and umpires,” she said.
“It helps us find out what Basketball Victoria Country is looking for and helps us prepare the kids so we can keep good numbers coming through.
“It is a really good start for the kids because it encourages them to take ownership of themselves.
“It is a big part of what selectors look for – mum and dad aren’t there so the kids have to make their own decisions.
“The jamboree is a life-learning experience.
“It’s also a great social experience – a lot of kids end up with friends for life from it.”
The 2017 jamboree runs from September 23 to 26.