BIG V: All Stars Back to Shine

Eltham Wildcats Players take 4 places!!

HALF TIME GAME FOR 12 UNDER 9 ELTHAM WILDCAT PLAYERS!

Contact Lisa Mac to register!

Thursday May 21, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

All Stars Back to Shine

After a two year absence, the Big V All Star match is set to shine.

Big V, in collaboration with the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL), is pleased to announce two All Star games (a men’s and a women’s) will be played as part of the McDonald’s National Junior Classic* on Sunday June 7, at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC).

Big V Chairman Daryl Neal said he was excited to see the return of the All Star experience, which will see a North-West side compete against a South-West side (teams listed below).

“It will be a great spectacle to see the best players in State Championship take on one another,” Neal said.

“And what better forum than in front of the up-and-coming star of the future.”

The women’s match will tip-off from 5pm with the men’s to follow at 7.30pm. Both matches will be played on MSAC’s show-court.

VJBL Competitions Manager Rebekah Lacy said it was a great addition to the Classic.

“It is great to be able to combine the best juniors in the nation with the state’s best elite players,” Lacy said.

“And it is a great way for the up-and-coming youngsters to see what level they could one day play at.” 

In addition to the All Star games, a 10 minutes McDonald’s Mini-Series game will be played in the half-time interval of each game, giving up to 20 youngsters from eight to 10 years of age to play basketball on the big stage.

Stay tuned to the Big V website (www.bigv.com.au) for updates on the All Star games.

North-West Men

Coach Steve Smith (Eltham Wildcats Parent and Husband of Gai Smith!!)

Damon Lowery (Eltham - Big V Championship Men's Team - Busted Knee....)

Luke Egan (Eltham - Big V Championship Men's Team)

North-West Women

Jess Kelly (Eltham - Big V Championship Women's Team)

Hannah Pickford (Eltham - Big V Championship Women's Team)

Marie Donohue (Eltham - Big V Championship Women's Team)

McDonald’s National Junior Classic       

The McDonald’s National Junior Classic is a three day invitational tournament held over the Queen’s Birthday Weekend. It is regarded as the premier club tournament in Australia, attracting teams from all over the country. The annual tournament is entering its 33rd year and is managed by the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL), supported by Basketball Victoria and endorsed by Basketball Australia.

Due to the size of the event, two venues are used. In 2009 the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre will host the junior tournament (U12’s and U14’s) and the Dandenong Basketball Stadium will house the seniors. (U16’s and 18’s)

This invitational event sees 128 teams contesting the covered 8 championships held across the following competitions:

● Under 12 Boys and Girls

● Under 14 Boys and Girls

● Under 16 Men and Women

● Under 18 Men and Women

In each of the eight sections, 16 teams compete for the title which see in excess of 1100 players participating. The sections are made up with eight teams representing metropolitan and country Victoria and the remaining spots reserved from teams from New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania.

Large crowds are attracted to witness the best junior basketballers in Australia compete. In 2008 estimates say in excess of 8,000 spectators were in attendance at both venues across the three days.

 

 For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Laura Banks  | Media Manager
Direct  +61 9927 6608 | Mobile 0400 856 343
Email media@bigv.com.au