New 3x3 matches quick and physical

TWENTY20 cricket, rugby league nines, Fast4 tennis.

They’re the hybrid version of our favourite sports we’ve fallen in love with and now 3x3 basketball is ready to take Townsville by storm.

The fast-paced game has been included in next month’s NQ Games, with divisions ranging from under-12s to opens.

Tim Keating is a veteran of the Australian 3x3 Hustle scene and is pumped up the sport is about to land in North Queensland.

“It’s really exciting, it’s going to be the biggest event Townsville and possibly Queensland has hosted yet,” Keating said.

“It’s fast, it’s physical, you can see a lot of games in a short period of time as opposed to stretching it out for a couple of hours.

“You need a break every minute and a half. It’s very physical and doesn’t stop.

“The defensive intensity is very high and you’re just hustling the whole time.”

With 3x3 exploding in popularity around the world Keating is adamant the game can make a splash in the region.

“It’s an Olympic sport now, so there’s definitely a lot of potential to use it as a legitimate pathway. From the streets to the Olympics is the motto,” he said.

With games 10 minutes long or the first to 21, Keating said chemistry was the most crucial ingredient for success.

Former Boomer Peter Crawford said the games were a great opportunity for juniors to strut their stuff.

“They’re going to compete in the NQ Games and finish with a medal, so it’s pretty exciting,” Crawford said.

Crawford said he loved the physicality of 3x3.

“In 3x3 you can get after it a lot more … it’s definitely lots of fun to play,” he said.

The NQ Games are being held in Townsville on April 18-19 with the basketball to be staged at Star 106.3 Stadium.