35 teams Ballarat bound

Geelong United Basketball (GUB) will be well represented at this weekend’s Ballarat Junior Tournament, with 35 teams making the trip up the Midland Highway.

Teams will play at least three matches across Saturday and Sunday morning in the hope of qualifying for the knockout stage of the annual event.

Director of Coaching Matthew Paton says the work being done by Community Competition clubs is laying a platform for GUB’s Pathway Program.

“Our Pathway starts with the Community Competition, and the clubs are doing a great job in recruitment and retention,” Paton said.

“Off the back of that, at Geelong United, we’re able to not only facilitate that competition but offer them the VJBL pathway.

“That’s where the kids really get hooked in and love the game.

“From a Director of Coaching point of view, it’s fantastic we have so many kids wanting to be involved, so many parents willing to provide the experience for their kids, and coaches who selflessly give their time.

“We only hope we can repay that with the amount of time, effort and development we put back into them.”

As well as the 35 teams heading to Ballarat, which is up from 26 last year, Geelong United’s under-14 (1) boys and under-16 (1) girls have qualified for the time-honoured National Junior Classic (NJC) in Melbourne.

Paton says it’s an opportunity to test themselves against some of Australia’s best club teams.

“I’m really happy for those teams who managed to lock in spots at the Classic,” he said.

“They’re well-drilled and well-led teams, and they’ve worked hard to achieve that qualification.

“The exciting thing about those competitions is that you get to test yourself against players from far and wide.”

geelongunitedbasketball.com.au will provide a more in-depth look at our NJC teams later in the week.

COMPETING TEAMS

Click the link for the competition page for each team

GIRLS

BOYS