MEDIA RELEASE
The Honourable Jacinta Allen Premier Victoria celebrates Victorian basketball’s latest success.
Basketball Victoria’s High-Performance program has enjoyed continual and growing success largely due to funding support from the Allan Labour Government.
The Foot Locker Under 20’s and Ivor Burge National Championships were held last week at Selkirk Stadium in Ballarat, talent from across the country came together to compete for the coveted title of National Champions.
In a history making event, the Victorians made it a clean sweep taking home all four championship trophies. The Ivor Burge tournament (for men and women with an intellectual disability), Under 20 men and women divisions were all won by a Victorian team.
The funding support provided by the government has enabled Basketball Victoria’s High-Performance department to engage with coaching staff that bring international experience, provide athletes with upskilling both on and off the court, and develop training schedules that challenge the athletes individually.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said the Allan Labor Government is proud to have helped build such a strong legacy for the sport in Victoria.
“Our state is the home of basketball – with more than a third of all registered players coming from Victoria – that's why we're such strong supporters of the sport, including delivering new facilities to support emerging basketballers across the state.”
The government recognises the rapid growth of the sport in recent years and understands the importance of offering support throughout the basketball pathway from grassroots community ball right through to our elite levels.
With over 435,000 participants annually, basketball continues to be the highest participation community sport in Victoria.
Basketball Victoria CEO Nick Honey is proud of the outcome at the Nationals from all involved.
“Victoria continues to lead the country in basketball thanks to the strength of our High-Performance Program. Four out of four Gold Medals at the Under 20’s National Championships is a testament to the success of Basketball Victoria’s High-Performance pathway.”
Basketball Victoria’s High-Performance Program continues to grow and provide a pathway for talented young basketball athletes from as young as 12 years old. The High-Performance team offer skills days for under 12’s, our Future Development Program at Under 14’s where talent is scouted and developed through to the State Development Program so they can begin their career representing the state at the Under 16 National Championships. The skills that are learnt in the High-Performance Program can be used by athletes throughout their career nationally and even internationally.
The success at the Under 20’s and Ivor Burge Championships is a great start for 2024. With the National Under 18 ‘s, Kevin Coombs Cup (KCC), and the wheelchair national championships tipping off in April, followed by the Under 16 National Championships in July, Victoria is the state to beat!
