ACT Sport and Recreation has entered a one-year partnership with the Illawarra Hawks basketball team to bring the National Basketball League (NBL) to the National Capital for the first time since the demise of the Canberra Cannons 15 years ago.
The team will be in Canberra for three days later this month, hosting coaching clinics with ACT representative squads and ACT coaches, visiting schools as well as playing a game against the Australian Institute of Sport’s Centre of Excellence Basketball team.
Minister for Sport and Recreation, Yvette Berry said support from the Hawks in Canberra’s schools, clubs and coaching clinics would help bolster the strong basketball community in the ACT.
“With the recent cessation of the South East Australian Basketball League, this partnership plays an important role in providing genuine pathway opportunities for local elite players,” Ms Berry said.
“They will have access to training sessions and an opportunity to be involved in the Hawks’ High Performance programs, with a minimum of two ACT players offered an invitation to attend the Hawks Academy in Wollongong.”
She said the Government had allocated $125,000 to the project.
“Teams like the Illawarra Hawks encourage participation and inspire young players to see the possibilities of pursuing a professional career in basketball and other sports,” Ms Berry said.
“This partnership will provide even more exciting opportunities for Basketball ACT and Canberra’s passionate basketball supporters.”
The Hawks will play the Cairns Taipans in Canberra at the AIS Arena on Australia Day, 26 January, 2019.
