For the first time in 14 years, the U18 National Championships return to the sunshine state for seven days of competition featuring 28 teams – 26 boys and girls teams from Australia and two from New Zealand – battling it out for the title.

 

In another first, the “Luc Longley Fair Play Award” will be introduced at this year’s Championships and will be presented to the team that displays outstanding sportsmanship.

 

Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Kristina Keneally said the tournament would bring together basketball’s ‘golden generation’ – with many junior players often embarking on successful national and international careers.

 

“The U18’s are a fantastic stepping stone for our junior players, with both great rivalries and friendships forged here continuing into the big leagues for years to come,” Ms Keneally said.

 

“Australian Jayco Opals stars Liz Cambage, Rachel Jarry, Kath McLeod and Jenna O’Hea have all come away with gold from the U18s, while current stars Patty Mills and Adam Gibson represented their respective states before graduating to the Boomers.

 

“We’re also delighted that from this year, international basketball superstar Luc Longley has agreed to lend his name to the Fair Play Award for these Championships.

 

“Luc is an extremely fitting role-model for our younger players, epitomising professionalism, humility, and everything that is good about our sport.”

 

The opening ceremony for the U18 National Championships is at 5.00pm on Saturday 20 April 2013.

 

Draws and results for the 2013 National U18 Australian Junior Championships can be found hereon the Basketball Australia website.

Further Information

 

Local talents who will look to follow in the Opals’ and Boomers’ footsteps include up and coming 16 year old Bridie Kennedy-Hopoate from Brisbane, who was Queensland South’s top scorer and rebounder when they claimed silver at last year’s U16 National Championships.

 

She will be joined by 2012 team mate Bridget O’Brien and 17 year old local Kristy Wallace, who won silver at last year’s U18’s Nationals. 

 

In the men’s division, Jack McVeigh is a player to watch. The Gold Coast Sea Hawks junior was the youngest player for Queensland South in the U18’s last year finishing sixth top point scorer overall with 17.2 points and third top rebounder (12.4).

 

McVeigh was identified as an outstanding talent and selected to the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence program at the AIS for 2013. He will be joined by Darrell McDowell-White, son of Brisbane Lions AFL star Darryl White in an impressive Queensland South line-up.

 

Split into two pools each, the tournament will feature 110 games for the week, starting at 9.00am Saturday 20th April and concluding with the Women’s Grand Final on Saturday 27^th April at 5pm followed by the Men’s Grand Final at 7.00pm.

 

The defending champions in both competitions are NSW Metro. The men’s team made it three consecutive titles last year with a thrilling 56-55 win over Victoria Metro, while the women’s team halted a five year winning streak by Victoria Metro by taking the Gold Medal match 65-52 over Queensland South.

Teams participating in the both men’s and women’s tournament this week are: ACT, New Zealand, NSW Country, NSW Metro, Northern Territory, Queensland North, Queensland South, South Australia Country, South Australia Metro, Tasmania, Victoria Country, Victoria Metro, Western Australia Country and Western Australia Metro.

 

The Men’s teams play for the Merv Emms Trophy while the Women’s Teams compete for the Maree Jackson Trophy.

 

On-site event Media contacts:

 

Communications Manager: Jordan Mullen - 0408640466 / Jordan.mullan@basketballqld.net.au

Media & Team Liaison: Joe Tertzakian – 0403734508 / qbl@brisbanebasketball.com.au