Basketball NSW is pleased to announce the NSW teams who will be competing at the Basketball Australia Helloword U14 Club Championships in October this year.
The 2017 Australian Helloworld U14 Club Championships will be hosted by the Dandenong Basketball Association from October 2-7.
NSW will have a total of nine teams competing at this year’s event, with the top two teams from the Division 1 Metropolitan Junior League and Country Premier League automatically qualifying. NSW received an additional spot in the boy’s competition due to the Sydney Comets winning the 2016 Australia U14 Club Championships.
U14 Boys
Metro #1 – Sydney Comets
Metro #2 – Norths Bears
Country #1 – Illawarra Hawks
Country #2 – Newcastle Hunters
5th Team – Sutherland Sharks
U14 Girls
Metro #1 – Sydney Comets
Metro #2 – Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Country #1 – Maitland Mustangs
Country #2 – Newcastle Hunters
The Sydney Comets will enter the boy’s competition as the reigning champions. The City of Sydney association will once again be well represented, with both a Comets boys & girls team qualifying for this year’s Club Championships.
While the Norths Bears & Sutherland Sharks have also been able to secure one of the five places available for NSW teams in the boy’s competition.
John Quilter Coaching Director of the Northern Suburbs Basketball Association, believes the qualification is a great reward for the side’s hard work.
“National Clubs is a unique and wonderful experience for those who are lucky enough to go, and I’m sure our team will relish the chance to compete against the country’s best.”
Last year’s Club Championships hosts the Newcastle Hunters, have been also been able to make back-to-back appearance at the tournament in both the boys and girl’s competition. Newcastle Hunters Basketball Manager Martin McLean, considers the tournament a great reward for their teams.
“The association is extremely proud of their U14 groups, and their hard work and overall improvement is clearly evident.”
Joining the Hunters in the country qualifications will be the Illawarra Hawks, who are coached by Simon Dent.
In the girl’s competition, NSW will have four teams enter the tournament. Representing the country alongside the Hunters will be the Maitland Mustangs. The girls team receiving an invitational entry last year but this year are entering as the first ever side for the association to qualify. The timing couldn’t be any more fitting, with the Mustangs celebrating their 60th year. Mark Wawszkowicz, recently coached the side to a Country Tournament Premier Division Championship, which he credits their secret weapon to their victory and overall qualification.
“Our secret weapon – we are the most experienced team at Nationals this year, with 7 players having played in last year’s tournament as part of the invitational team. So at least we know what to expect.”
The Manly Sea Eagles join the Sydney Comets in the Metropolitan groupings for the girl’s competition, with the association making consecutive appearances at the national competition.
Basketball New South Wales would like to wish all our teams the best of luck, in their preparation for the National Competition which commences October 3rd 2017.