Basketball Australia Supports Inaugural Australian Indigenous Basketball Tournament

60 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teams from across the country will meet in Cairns, QLD, on Sunday for the Opening Ceremony.

Female and male teams will compete over five days for a national title across U14, U17 and senior age divisions.

Games in all divisions will begin on Monday, December 16 at Cairns Basketball Early Settler Stadium, with the finals being held on Friday, December 20.

AIB Chief Executive Officer and Tournament Director Joel Khalu was thrilled to announce the high number of team registrations.

“To have 60 teams nominate from all over Australia certainly reinforces the want and the need of this tournament,” Khalu said.

“We’ve got players from all corners set for the journey to Cairns. For many junior players who’ll be participating from remote communities, it will be their first opportunity to play basketball in an indoor stadium.

“That’s what this event is all about, creating an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players of both genders, in a range of ages, to participate in our wonderful sport and showcase their skills.

“Our AIB national tournament is an initiative designed to supplement competitions offered by local associations, state organisations and the national body to get more people active and increase the involvement with basketball.”

Basketball Australia CEO Jerril Rechter said that the tournament is an incredibly important initiative for Australian basketball.

“This tournament is important in ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate in the fantastic sport that is basketball.

“With 60 registrations, this tournament is giving much needed opportunities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players and communities and we’re so pleased to be supporting the event alongside Basketball Queensland.

“Basketball Australia extends our congratulations to AIB and the talented team delivering this important event.”

The Australian Indigenous Basketball National Tournament is also proudly supported by the Queensland Government and Cairns Regional Council.

To find more information on the tournament, click here.

About Australian Indigenous Basketball:

Australian Indigenous Basketball (AIB) is a non-profit incorporated association, operating as the recognised body for Indigenous Basketball in Australia and is responsible for the delivery of key strategic priorities.

About Basketball Australia

Basketball Australia is the governing and controlling body for the sport of basketball in Australia.

A not-for-profit business, Basketball Australia’s members are the eight state and territory basketball associations.

Basketball Australia runs the Chemist Warehouse Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), currently celebrating its 40th year, national junior championships and manages 22 national teams including the elite high-performance teams Boomers, Chemist Warehouse Opals, Rollers & Gliders which compete in Olympic and Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games and FIBA World Championships.