Big Easter basketball tournament hits Tauranga

TOP CLASS: Action from last year's game between Tauranga and Waikato at the Mel Young Easter Basketball Classic tournament. PHOTO: File

The second largest tournament to be staged in New Zealand this year will tip off across four venues in Tauranga tomorrow.

The Mel Young Easter Basketball Classic has attracted 133 teams of ball players aged from 11 to 19, including five teams who have made the trek from Australia.

North Sydney have entered rep teams in the under-11 boys', under-13 girls', under-15 boys' and under-17 girls' divisions. Four all-star teams under the banner of Country Cup have entered. They are the best from South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, ACT and Tasmania and will contest the under-15 and under-17 boys' and girls' divisions.

Tauranga City Basketball general manager Mark Rogers says there are some key factors as to why some of the best young players in Australia have come to Tauranga for this tournament.

"One thing is we put on a good event, and they are very keen to be involved in the quality of the event we are putting on. We have also developed relationships with these other groups in Australia through reciprocal exchanges where we send players and coaches over to help develop our members," Rogers said.

"There is also a cultural component as they get a chance to go to Rotorua while they are here."

The tournament gets under way at 8.30am tomorrow through until Monday with play scheduled past 8.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

ASB Arena is the central hub for the tournament, but the sheer scale of the tournament entries means QEII Youth Centre, Tauranga Boys' College and Tauranga Intermediate School will also be fully utilised over Easter.

Tauranga City Basketball is fielding 18 teams in the tournament across all age groups.

Rogers said all the teams should go well, but he was expecting good results from the under-15 and under-17 boys' and girls' teams.

A special feature of the tournament is the quality coaches and referees from Australia and USA who are holding workshops during the tournament.

The celebrity talent is highlighted by two of the world's best coaches in Jim Foster from the USA and Australian Damian Cotter.

Rogers said it was a huge honour to have Foster here who would hold a clinic tomorrow evening.

"He is the only coach who has had over 200 wins at three different first division colleges, he is sixth all-time for career wins, is in the women's basketball hall of fame, and he has been involved with USA basketball as a coach and a selector.

"I don't think even the basketball people realise how huge it is to have someone of his calibre come to our country and be willing to share knowledge with whoever is willing to come along to the clinic and listen to one of the legends of the sport.

"It is a great opportunity for all of our members and people involved in the event to rub shoulders with somebody who is one of the best in the world."

Draws: www.taurangacitybasketball.co.nz