TAREE Tornadoes Basketball Association’s official season launch will be held on Thursday March 2 at Club Taree.
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One of the highlights will be the unveiling of the new representative uniform.
This will be a ground breaking year for Taree Tornadoes. They have started the year with an impressive nine representative teams from under 12 girls and boys to under 18 girls and boys, with the under 14 girls division one gaining a place in the prestigious Country Premier League tournament.
This is the first time a Taree team has qualified to participate at the premier level. The association is also the successful recipient of a sports grant and are aiming to seek further support for the anticipated renovations to Saxby’s Stadium. The season launch is attracting a wide range of interest both locally and interstate. Some of the invited attendees include:
- CJ Bruton: six time NBL champion, Olympian, NBA assistant coach, current NBL assistant coach
- Aja Parham: WNBA and WNBL player
- Local business and corporate supporters
“Basketball continues to be a very popular sport right across Australia,’’ under 14 girl’s representative coach Steve Atkins said.
“Locally, there are hundreds of kids playing junior basketball. Our goal, of course, is to get more and more kids into basketball, playing in local competitions, coming along to our training sessions to develop their skills, and strengthening our representative teams to go on and compete at a high level. “Basketball is a great sport, especially for kids. When they are on the court, they get to do everything, and it’s a very dynamic game – fast and skilful. We find kids really like this.’’
Premier League berth
TAREE Tornadoes under 14 girls basketball team has secured a position to compete against the Canberra Capitals, Illawarra Hawks, Newcastle Hunters, Western Reds, Coffs Harbour Suns, Gosford City Rebels and the Maitland Mustangs in the Molten Waratah Country Premier League for 2017.
“This is a major achievement for a small association like Taree, especially when the population base is considered against those of our opponents, and congratulations are extended to the playing roster and the coaching/management staff of the team on this fine result,’’ Taree Basketball stalwart Paul Healy said.
Meanwhile Gloucester’s Jessica Relf has selected in a 10 strong NSW Country under 16 girl’s squad to tour New Zealand.
Jessica, who attends Taree St Clare's High School, was chosen following a strong performance at the Australian Country Championships in Albury in January.
