Rockingham’s junior basketballers have returned from Melbourne with silverware from the biggest junior basketball tournament in the southern hemisphere with over 1500 teams competing.
Rockingham Flames and other Rockingham Basketball and Recreation Association-affiliated teams all enjoyed a successful Eltham Dandenong Junionr Basketball Tournament, which took place in late January.
The contingent of Rockingham-based teams were a combination of those representing schools, local domestic clubs or Rockingham representative clubs.
Three of the Flames’ four boys teams returned home as champions while the fourth settled as semi-finalists. Living Waters Lions and Dolphins were the other two Rockingham-based winners.
Rockingham Flames tour managers Shannon Le Plastrier and Michael Jones said the tournament gave young players something to work towards and test themselves against new opposition while bringing the national basketball community together.
Plenty of work was required to make the cross-country trip a success with Rockingham Flames’ planning committee having worked on the program for over six months.
“We took four teams over as representatives of the Rockingham Flames franchise but also encouraged and supported our local domestic basketball clubs and local high schools from the Rockingham districts area to participate in the tournament,” Ms Le Plastrier and Mr Jones said.
“This year we had outstanding results with all of our teams making finals and the U14, U18 and U20 boys winning their grand finals. And three of our players receiving MVP recognition.
“It’s very important for our WA athletes to continually measure themselves against the best In our country. Basketball in WA doesn’t offer a lot of tournament play at an elite level compared to the east coast so it’s a great opportunity for exposure to this environment for development.”
The Rockingham Flames tour group of 36 boys ranged between the ages of 12 and 17 with the tour managers highlighting the tournament’s importance for battling youth mental health issues and providing an opportunity to travel across the country and develop strong camaradery on and off the court.