U12 Programs

U12 Metro Skills Days, U12 Country Skills Days & John Davidson Country Jamboree.

What U12 Programs does Basketball NSW Offer?

The NSW Country and Metro Under-12 Skills Days are tailored to offer young players the chance to receive expert coaching, aiding in the development of their skills to the highest standard.

These programs is open to all boys and girls born in 2013/2014.

These skill days are a great way to develop and improve skills needed to compete in basketball at any level. Focused on individual progression, the camps cater to beginners through to those aspiring to reach representative levels, ensuring that all players have a fun and enriching experience while learning something new.

For those children who are still learning the skills of the game and are at the beginning of their basketball journey, check out our Aussie Hoops program.  

Country Under-12 Skills Days

The NSW Country Under-12 Skills Days are designed to offer players from Country NSW associations the opportunity to receive expert coaching to develop their skills to the highest possible level.  This program is open to all boys and girls.

The coaching program concentrates on individual skills that Under 12 players should be able to master before they graduate to the next age group. 

These skill days are for anyone starting with basketball as beginners to representative level; the most important aspect is that all players have fun and learn something new.

Our coaches will assess players born in 2013 or 2014 and may be considered for the John Davidson Country Jamboree.  This is an invitation-only event; more information about the John Davidson Country Jamboree can be seen on the page below.

2024 dates and locations:

South/West
13th April @ Albury
13th April @ Shellharbour
20th April @ Queanbeyan
27th April @ Leeton
27th April @ Lithgow
28th April @ Dubbo

Northern
6th July @ Maitland
6th July @ Byron Bay
10th July @ Terrigal
13th July @ Coffs Harbour
TBC July @ Tamworth

Registrations close 48-hours before camp.

Interested in being a volunteer Head or Floor Coach? CLICK HERE to submit your EOI.

Registrations now open click here

Metro Under-12 Skills Days

The Metro Under-12 Skills Days is designed to offer players from Metropolitan NSW associations the opportunity to receive expert coaching to develop their skills to the highest possible level.

The program aims to deliver fun skill day content focused around the ‘Super 6′(Dribbling, Passing, Pivoting, Shooting, 1v1 Defense & Decision Making).

It is appropriate for experienced junior players and above domestic competition.

As we continue to grow the community programs and events, our coaches will assess players born in 2013 for 2025 Under 13 challenges. 2025 will see the introduction of Metro Under 12 Jamboree.

2024 dates and locations:

17th April @ Sutherland
22nd April @ Hawkesbury

Registrations close 48-hours before camp.

Interested in being a volunteer Head or Floor Coach? CLICK HERE to submit your EOI.

Registrations now open click here

JOHN DAVIDSON COUNTRY JAMBOREE

Basketball NSW is excited to announce that the John Davidson Country Jamboree is back in 2024.

This year, the John Davidson Country Jamboree will take a new and exciting approach to the long-standing event to create more opportunities for junior country athletes.

The John Davidson Country Jamboree will have two locations TBC to host to support the growth of regional players in NSW.

Locations: Northern 28th-30th September & Southern 11th-13th October

Note: Players must trial at a U12 Country Skills Day and be born in 2013 or 2014.  The John Davidson Country Jamboree is by invitation only.

THE CONCEPT OF JOHN DAVIDSON COUNTRY JAMBOREE

The John Davidson Country Jamboree has been developed to provide junior country basketballers with an enjoyable basketball experience that includes more than just direct head-to-head competition.

The John Davidson Country Jamboree is a fantastic opportunity for Under 12 NSW Country players to experience high-level coaching and fun social activities. 

The focus is not on winning; it is participatory and enjoyment of the game that is important at Jamboree. The games have been specifically modified so that we can cater to the involvement of all players.

Players and coaches attending John Davidson Country Jamboree can look forward to participating in an exciting atmosphere with other young basketball enthusiasts while learning new strategies and techniques and developing their overall skillset for future games.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

  •  A minimum of 6 games of basketball
  • 3 training sessions
  • Playing singlet, playing shorts and Jamboree t-shirt (to keep)
  • Social Activities/Individual skills competitions.
    • Lunch and dinner on Sat-Sun and lunch on Mon Northern Jamboree.
    • Lunch and dinner on Fri-Sat and lunch on Sun Southern Jamboree.

NOTE: Players must arrange their own travel & accommodation arrangements

 

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 and Griffith
2023 | Port Macquarie & 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.

Frequently Asked Questions U12 Skills Days and John Davidson Country Jamboree
Are the same skills being taught in the Metro as in the Country.

Yes, our training programs are consistent across NSW.

What is the Difference between Metro and Country?
Participants can attend any u12 skills day Metro or Country.
To be eligible for selection in our next level community programs such as John Davidson Jamboree or Under 13 Metro and Country Challenges you must be from the following area and Talent I.D on the day.
This is specific to the location of where you live and where you play basketball.
E.g I live in Katoomba but play with Lithgow in the Western Junior League. I am eligible for Country.
I am from Coffs Harbour but board at school in Sydney and play for Norths. I am eligible for Metro.
Why is the John Davidson Country Jamboree in two locations in 2024?

The John Davidson Country Jamboree has proven to be one of our most popular events for under 12’s basketball calendar.  We chose to evolve the program by splitting it across two regional locations, those being  Southern and Northern NSW. This will enable us to create more opportunities for players, coaches and referees to participate. 

Locations to be announced.

What Skills Day & Jamboree can my child attend?

You can attend any Skills Day; however, to be selected and invited to attend a John Davidson Country Jamboree, players must trial in the region they are currently registered in. If you have any issues or needs of special consideration, please email adam.marjoram@bnsw.com.au

For example:

Southern Jamboree Selection criteria will come from players from Western Junior League and Southern Junior League.

Northern Jamboree Selection Criteria will come from Northern & Eastern Junior League players.

All selected players must be born in either 2013 or 2014 (or other event) to attend John Davidson Country Jamboree. In special circumstances, players born in 2015 can be selected if identified at a Skills Day, and spots become available.

Can my child attend a U12 Skills Day and not attend the Jamboree?

Yes, we encourage all young basketballers to attend a U12 Skills Day regardless if they want to progress to the John Davidson Country Jamboree. Please fill out the registration form when prompted. 

 What if my child is outside the age range?

Basketball NSW also facilitates numerous Leeanne Palmer Country Development Program one day camps in regional NSW throughout the year, check out the calendar for upcoming camps.

What if my child was born in 2012? 

Basketball NSW runs the Talented Athlete Program (TAP) trials across regional NSW, these are normally conducted between the months of May and June for U13 and U14 players. 

What is the specific age of U12 basketball in NSW for 2024?

U12 basketball is for children born in the years 2013, 2014 and 2015. All players must be under the age of their nominated age group as of December 31 in that particular year. 

Players born in 2015 won’t be eligible for the John Davidson Country Jamboree but can participate in the U12 Skills Days.

What other programs are BNSW running during the school holidays?

Basketball NSW will also be facilitating numerous Leeanne Palmer Country Development Program 1 day camps and NSW Legacy Programs throughout the year in other various locations across the State.  Keep an eye on our calendar for more information and other events. 

How are players chosen for teams at the John Davidson Country Jamboree?

All players are selected as individual athletes, Basketball NSW will then allocate players to teams before the event. We aim to mix players from different regional locations into teams.  Our coaching staff will run social activities and ice-breakers games to help everyone settle in and start to make new friends.

What if my child can’t attend the Skills Day? Is there an exemption process for them to be considered?

We have 11 Skills days across NSW over 2 holiday periods so our prefered process is for parents to attend the day. If this is not possible, Yes we do have an exemption form available and process. Each participant’s exemption form will be done on a case by case basis.

Click HERE to fill out an exemption form

Please email adam.marjoram@bnsw.com.au for more info. 

2018 John Davidson County Jamboree Video Highlights

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