Page 45 - BWA Annual Report 2019

3x3
2019 was an exciting year for 3x3. The format is starting to develop a loyal and passionate fan base and participation numbers at our events are growing all the time. 2019 saw us continue to experiment with our premium 3x3 events as we work towards developing a core following, particularly amongst the youth market.
A focus has been on taking 3x3 to unique and iconic locations, as well as maintaining an urban/ street vibe, to differentiate the product from traditional 5-on-5 basketball.
This year’s key highlights for 3x3 were:
• A 3x3 curriculum is introduced into the
Sporting Schools program and becomes available for delivery into high schools.
This curriculum is supported by program activities and resources for our coaches to deliver to students. Take up rates in both WA and across Australia exceed initial expectations.
• A 3x3 Big Hustle tournament was held for Open Men at the picturesque South Beach court in Fremantle in February 2019. This was a State Championship event with the winning team, the Perth Ballers, going on to represent WA on the 3x3 Pro Hustle Tour.
• In April, we ran our first ever 3x3 Junior State Championships at the Claremont Showgrounds (in the beautiful art deco Centenary Pavilion) for the Under 14’s and 16’s age groups.
• Ex-Wildcat, SBL star and Perth local boy, Greg Hire, was selected for the Australian 3x3
national team. It was a whirlwind ride and crazy rise up the 3x3 ladder for Greg. In the space of just a couple of months he went from the NBL grand final series, to attending his first ever 3x3 competition (the 3x3 Pro Hustle in Geelong); to receiving an invite to attend the national 3x3 training camp; and, ultimately, to being selected into the Australian side. As part of the national team, Greg then won through to the finals of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup Qualifier, collected gold at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup and finally represented Australia on the FIBA 3x3 World Cup stage. His exploits help to significantly boost the profile of 3x3 here in Western Australia.
• The WABL 3x3 Club Championships was held on the WA Day long weekend. This event was run alongside the SBL All-Star game, as part of the Festival of Basketball. This was the largest 3x3 event Basketball WA has ever run, with participation numbers doubling from the previous year and all WABL Associations represented.
• In partnership with School Sport WA, we hosted the first ever 3x3 tournament for high school students SSWA, with more than 50 teams and 200 students attending. 3x3 basketball also made
its debut as a sport at the District High School Country Week.
• In August, we collaborated with the NBL to run a 3x3 Street Hustle, with the finalists winning through to play at the RAC Arena before the Boomers vs Canada game.
• Basketball WA was invited to send a representative aboriginal team to the IBF Youth Leaders 3x3 Cup in Bali, Indonesia, where they mixed with athletes from other nations from across the Asia-Pacific Region.
• Basketball WA teamed up with Groundswell Festival and the City of Stirling to deliver another 3x3 Big Hustle event in October at the redevel- oped Scarborough Beach. Groundswell was a 2-day youth festival celebrating urban street culture, with 3x3 basketball combining with surfing, skateboarding and BMX to promote our sport.
BWA ANNUAL REPORT 2019 38