Page 63 - BWA Annual Report 2023

GREAT SOUTHERN
Anita Reca - Regional Development Officer
BASKETBALL PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO INCREASE TO INCREDIBLE NUMBERS
GREAT SOUTHERN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
One of the highlights of the year was the progress made by the GS Development Program (GSDP). Our regional associations took the initiative to run camps and weekly winter basketball sessions. These sessions were aimed at enhancing the skills of our players and providing them with an environment to grow and excel.
As a part of GSDP athletes participated in interregional tournaments, further broadening their skills in game setting. Two of these tournaments were held in Esperance, and they saw players from Albany and Kalgoorlie travel over to participate. The other two tournaments were hosted in Albany, and we were thrilled to see participation from Esperance, Manjimup, and Bridgetown. These tournaments served as an excellent platform for our players and contributed significantly to the program's success.
STATE AND COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
In the State Championships, Great Southern Associations had 21 teams compete across the span of five weekends.
Their dedication and effort were commendable and set a high standard for future performances. In the Country Championships, we had a staggering 48 teams participate across all weekends.
The high level of competition and the spirit shown by Great Southern teams were truly inspiring and speaks volumes about the significant strides coaches have made in fostering talent.
3X3
In the exciting world of 3x3 basketball, the Great Southern region hosted a 3x3 carnival in collaboration with the City of Albany and Rio Tinto. This event served as a great community gathering, fostering friendly competition and fun. This year marked a milestone, as we also saw our first regional representative 3x3 team entry in the WABL 3x3 tournament in Perth. This achievement is a testament to our growth of interest in this format of the game.
ALL-INCLUSIVE GAME
In 2023, Albany Basketball Association helped establish the Great Southern Hotshots, a program aimed at all- inclusive team development. This initiative is intended to provide basketball training and a supportive community for all players. Our region is extremely proud of the coaches and coordinators who supported GS Hotshots athletes at their first regional entry in Basketball WA's Everyone's Game carnival. Supporting GS Hotshots volunteers underlines our commitment to making basketball a sport for everyone.
FORD AUSSIE HOOPS
Our Aussie Hoops program saw the addition of a new centre in Mount Barker, Great Southern. Across all of our centres, Great Southern had 316 participants, a number that everyone involved are incrediblyproudof.Moreover,threeoutof our six centres have made it to the top six in the Country Membership Leader board, reflecting the quality of our programs and their popularity among participants.
BWA ANNUAL REPORT 2023 | 58