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A new super basketball league is expected to attract keen interest among school-age players, as it provides more opportunities to get hands on the ball.
Hibiscus Coast Basketball is promoting its new 3 x 3 super league to local primary schools and colleges, and president and coach Dan Bungard says there has been a positive response.
The scheme starts in Term 3, on August 20, and runs for six weeks, based at Whangaparaoa College’s courts. Dan hopes to get a 16-team league each for Year 5 and 6, and Year 7 and 8 players.
He says it is a community-based development programme created to help young players get into the sport.
It involves three players taking on three opponents on a half court, which Dan says has several advantages.
“A full court is a long way for an eight-year-old to run down to take a shot,” he says. “Having just three on the team also provides more opportunities for shots, more touches on the ball and allows players to get creative with their skills.”
Dan says players will get around three games a night, which he says is a great way to build skills as well as having fun.
Dan plays in the first Hibiscus Coast Association Football Club’s team, and says he “fell into basketball” while working as a fitness instructor at the Stanmore Bay Pool & Leisure Centre, which is the club’s home base.
“I offered my services and fell in love with the sport,” he says.
Dan says the rising popularity of basketball is not because it is low contact, compared with sports such as rugby and league.
“It’s growing because it’s really inclusive and accessible,” he says. “All you need is a hoop and you can work on your skills. It can be played with a mate one-on-one and it’s highly skilled – you can use offence and defence skills as well as scoring. It’s indoors, high energy and fun.”
A key focus for the club this season is growing the girls’ game, including offering free programmes for girls. In-school coaching is also possible.
“We want everyone to have an opportunity to participate and compete. Grassroots, community basketball is what will improve the elite level tier.”
Info: look for Hibiscus Coast Basketball Association on Facebook. Registrations for the 3 x 3 league are through school sports departments.
