FOURTEEN of the region’s most talented basketballers have taken the next steps in their basketballing journey by participating in the first Future Development Program, held in Swan Hill recently.
Players from across the north-west region of Victoria descended on Swan Hill to participate in the 12 month program, with the program opened to boys and girls under 14 country athletes who had attended trials held across Victoria.
The aim of the Future Development Program is to help players gain insights, uplevel their skills and learn from Basketball Victoria’s Performance Pathway coaching team.
Players from Mildura to Echuca joined the first camp in Swan Hill earlier this month, with Future Development Program Swan Hill support coach Tess Denham telling The Guardian she was proud to see so many kids from Swan Hill invited to participate in the program.
“It’s great to have so many kids that want to push their basketball pathway and want to strive to play at a higher level,” Denham said.
“It’s great to see so many kids from Swan Hill get that opportunity, but it’s also great to see so many kids in general wanting to develop and take that next step.
“They have all done a great job to get through to that program and it’s a massive bonus for our region to have more kids get selected through to this stage.
“It’s a great program to be a part of because the kids do get a good insight into the elite level of the game and good opportunities to develop as players.”
The first camp saw the budding athletes enjoy a full day of learning based around skills and game play.
It won’t be the only camp held in Swan Hill however, with another Future Development Program camp to be held at the Swan Hill Basketball Stadium on Sunday, August 10.
“The camps normally rotate locations, but the organisers try to have it in Swan Hill as often as they can so it’s easier for Mildura and Echuca kids to meet in the middle,” Denham said.
“It’s always good to have other associations and their players come to our stadium.
“It’s always great having new faces come and enjoy our facilities and we always get very positive feedback.”
Following the camp on August 10, the best under 14 boys and girls from country Victoria will be selected to take part in the Golden Nugget program, which is used to select teams for the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup and the Southern Cross Challenge.
