Junior ‘ball titles big win for Cairns

CAIRNS will fully embrace the benefits of North Queensland becoming the centre of the state’s representative basketball scene for the next week.

Three major tournaments are being held across NQ in the next fortnight.

The under-14 boys’ state championship will be held in Cairns from today until Sunday, with the under-12 boys and girls tournaments to be held at Townsville from Monday. The under-14 girls competition will be held in Mackay from next Friday.

Cairns Basketball general manager and Basketball Queensland’s administrator of the year Mike Scott said it was exciting for the players to compete in a state championship at their home court but the benefits extended beyond the court.

“The travel cost is a big burden on families so the opportunity to play a championship in Cairns has multi-layered benefits,” Scott said.

“The cost saving for the family is considerable, the opportunity for extended family and friends to attend as spectators is always welcome.

“This carnival will bring 1500 visitors to Cairns for at least four nights. This year it has the extra benefit of visitors during the COVID period.

“It is an usual situation to have all under-12 and under-14 championships in North Queensland and we are all keen for this trend to continue.”

Cairns has won the Vince Hickey Award for the champion junior association in three of the past four years and hopes to add another piece of silverware to the basketball stronghold’s cabinet.