Many of you would be watching some March Madness action, the NCAA Div 1 Collegiate National Championships at this time of year.  Let's hope Chris Clausen's new DIV 1 NCAA school from next year, University of North Dakota, is one of the 65 teams to make an appearance at the National tournament in the coming years while he is at the school.

During April Australia's own National tournament will be played out of the home of Central's, STARplex.  This tournament will see the best 16 and 17 yr old athletes in the country competing for a National Championship.  South Australia Metro, which includes Daniel Carlin in the team, and Ramaiah Simpson as a Reserve (both in U18 Div 1 at Centrals) are expected to do quite well with strong prospects of winning a medal.

The ideal Centrals athlete strives to get to their next level, whatever that may be.  Our Div 2 athlete strives to get to Div 1, our Div 1 athlete strives to get to the National Club Championships representing Centrals (Melbourne Classics) and also represent the State at a National Championship.  Athletes not striving to go to the next level should consider the significant time and effort our coaches will invest in them and may be better served playing domestic/social basketball.  Whether the athletes achieve their goals is not the most important factor, the most important factor is the journey, their efforts of giving 110% to get to the highest level they possibly can.

We strongly encourage coaches and managers to encourage their players to get to the National Junior Championships which are going to be played at STARplex between April 18 and 25.  Our athletes should set goals and put in the effort and commitment required to play at the elite level and seeing a National Championship first hand will help our athletes set goals to achieve this.