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This article was published on Wednesday, 27 September, 2017. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Indigenous basketball event secured for three years

The event will be held in our region for the next three years, starting in 2018.

Greater Shepparton Mayor Dinny Adem said hosting events such as this helps position Greater Shepparton as a leading events destination in regional Australia.

“The economic benefit of hosting the championships will see more than $1m injected into the local economy through accommodation, hospitality, retail and tourism spending. Council strives to attract the biggest and best events to Greater Shepparton to help create and support local jobs, keep businesses busy and the economy strong and this a another major coup.”

“Sports tourism is an integral part of our major events calendar and this aspect will be built upon further over the coming months with the World Tour Beach Volleyball returning in February next year, the Asian Football Confederation U19 qualifiers involving the Young Socceroos and the Challenge Shepparton triathlon both in November.”

“We also have recently secured the Victorian Long Course Swimming Championships on the Australia Day Long weekend, and the Shepparton Squash International event, which will return again in 2018 and 2019 in August”, said Cr Adem.

Basketball Victoria Country Manager David Huxtable said Basketball Victoria Country is thrilled to see this tournament come to the Shepparton Region.“Basketball Victoria places a high priority on inclusive basketball opportunities for all and events such as the VACSAL Basketball State Championships offer opportunities for greater participation and development outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across all levels of our pathways, from grassroots to talent identification; coach and referee development; leadership; awareness raising; and support towards building relationships.”

“The incidence of physical inactivity is considerably greater among Australia’s Indigenous population, so it’s important that we continue to prioritise basketball as a vehicle to contribute to closing the health gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” he said.

“We value the participation and also the contribution that Indigenous communities have made to our sport and are committed to continuing to provide a response towards the needs of all Victorian’s in order to ensure basketball is everyone’s game.”

VACSAL CEO Linda Bamblett said they were pleased to be a signatory to the event agreement between VACSAL, Greater Shepparton Basketball Australia and Greater Shepparton City Council which will see the VACSAL Statewide Aboriginal Basketball Tournament held is Shepparton for the next three years.

“The spirit of inclusion and cooperation will benefit our organisation, the Victorian Aboriginal community and Shepparton community, both in terms of being mutually financially beneficial and building community engagement by providing a culturally safe environment where the Aboriginal culture can celebrated and shared.”

Stacey Cole Greater Shepparton Basketball Association General Manager said the event is huge for the Greater Shepparton and the Greater Shepparton Show Me Basketball Association. “In a city with such a diverse community built strongly on the Aboriginal people it is important to recognise that population and assist in providing a healthy and active community event like this one. It is extremely important to us to be in a position to have this event over a period of time allowing us to build and progress the event each year.”

For more information visit www.greatershepparton.com.au