The Limestone Coast will have strong representation at the Basketball Australia U16 Junior National Championships in Darwin this week, with seven talented locals having gained State Team selection with SA Country.
The championships involve twenty-six teams (thirteen men’s and thirteen women’s) from across Australia competing for two national titles and allow young Australian basketballers to display their talents against the best athletes in their age group from across the country.
Mount Gambier’s Sarah Ritter, Tara Bryant, Rori Perryman & Alyssa Duncan are joined by Chloe Harding from Kingston and Georgia Winter, who was appointed Vice Captain, from Millicent. Having made the team as ‘bottom age players’ Perryman, Duncan and Harding are prospects of selection again in 2020.
Jake Walker is the sole representative in the men’s team.
Basketball Development Officer Matt Sutton said:
“We congratulate all of these athletes for their State Team selection and wish them well for the Championships. We have some outstanding talent in our region and the pathways to State teams and elite competition are certainly there for those with dedication and commitment.
In addition to the region’s outstanding level of playing talent at the national event, Mount Gambier’s Daniel Stratford and Bryan Green are coaches of the men’s team, and Naracoorte’s Ian Mathieson is Assistant coach of the women’s team.
Each year men’s and women’s teams representing their respective state and territories compete at the U16 National Championships, and in doing so, form a vital pathway from participation through to elite competition for the nation’s junior athletes, providing a pathway to progress through junior and youth programs to hopefully one day represent Australia.
Finals will be played this Saturday 13th July.

Photo credit: License To Shoot Photography