U12 Programs

History of the John Davidson Country Jamboree

The original concept of the Country Jamboree for under 12 players was devised by Bob McGugan and John Martin, following a discussion regarding a junior social development basketball event discovered by David Crocker, the Basketball Victoria Country Development Officer at the time.

David, now the FIBA Oceania Executive Director, introduced a Spanish initiative known as a ‘Jamboree’, which was consequently implemented in Country Victoria for athletes aged 11 called The Southern Cross Jamboree.

NSW Country Basketball was invited to attend the Victoria Country Jamboree in Swan Hill in 1996, and NSW Country icon Nancy Haslop led the initial group. At the time, the Jamboree concept was quite foreign to the normal competition driven team basketball tournaments. There had been mini-basketball events held in NSW from as early as 1982, however, NSW Country Basketball decided to start their own Jamboree once the value of the concept was realised, and the format was finalised in 1988. It followed the FIBA concept of European junior basketball.

Several people in particular have been instrumental in the development of the Jamboree concept over many years; Leeanne Palmer (Newcastle), Neil Gibson (Moss Vale & Newcastle), Annie Neal (Gosford), Anthony Foy (Newcastle), Paul and Sue Masters (Western Region), Karen Irwin (Central Coast) and John Martin (Shoalhaven). The Jamboree was named after John Davidson on the 22nd of August 2015, to recognise and honour his amazing contribution to country basketball and Basketball NSW over a long period of time.

Timeline:
1997 | Terrigal (First Jamboree conducted)
1998 | Bathurst
1999 | Shoalhaven
2000 | Coffs Harbour
2001 | Griffith
2002 – 2014 | Port Macquarie
2015 – 2019 | Tamworth
2020 – 2021 | No Jamboree due to COVID-19
2022 | Tamworth & Griffith
2023 | Port Macquarie & Griffith
2024 | Coffs Harbour & Griffith
2025 | Coffs Harbour & Griffith

All Jamborees past and present were preceded by Skills Days, conducted at 10 country venues, in order to select individual top age players to attend the Jamboree.

The early Jamborees comprised of six boys and six girls teams, including the Diggers, Goldminers, Jumbucks, Pioneers, Bushrangers and Explorers. In 2003, the Sundowners and the Troopers teams were added, followed by the introduction of the Billabong and Settlers teams in recent years.

To ensure smooth operations, all Jamborees are supported by a development referee group consisting of referees under 16 years of age. These referees undergo daily clinics and oversee all games taking place – under the guidance of NSW Referee Development Officers.

In 2004, a special family BBQ night was added to provide players an opportunity to bond with their families and enjoy a fun-filled evening with their teammates. It also allowed families to connect with team officials and staff.

In 2022, the John Davidson Country Jamboree introduced a new format, splitting country NSW into two Southern and Northern events. This change provided more opportunities for young NSW country athletes, coaches and referees in regional areas to participate in high performance basketball and expert coaching. The 2022 Jamboree featured 320 players, 40 coaches and 40 referees, and this year’s edition will grow to encompass 370 participants across the two regions.

The Jamboree represents an incredible platform for development, fun, and fostering friendship within the country basketball family. It is essentially a social and personal development experience set in a positive and noncompetitive basketball environment, that is now firmly entrenched as an integral cog in the junior development program, and has grown to the point where multiple venues are utilised.

In 2023, the event expanded to provide even greater opportunities for regional under 12 athletes to enhance their basketball skills and gain a deeper understanding of Basketball NSW country style of play. In addition to the 40 coaches and 40 referees, 40 team managers are included in this years’ Jamboree, as well as 370 players.

Furthermore, 2023 witnessed a momentous addition: the introduction of five Indigenous team names, each representing the land on which the game is played, using traditional Language. The Southern Jamboree will be held on Wiradjuri Country and will use Pama-Nyungan Language, and the Northern Jamboree will be held on Biripi Country and will use Gathang Language.