After a 25 year hiatus, inter-town rivalry is back on the Far North Coast for the booming basketball associations of Byron Bay, Grafton, Ballina and Lismore.

The four teams have hand-picked the best junior and senior players to create the stand-alone Sunshine Conference, with round one tipping off on Saturday March 24th 2018. 

Sunshine Conference President, Jason Bashforth believes, ‘It’s a once in a generation boost for basketball in our region. We’ve had tremendous support from the local associations, local businesses Frigid Air, Armsign, Southern Cross 10 and Basketball NSW lending their support to promote basketball in our region.”

Basketball is one of the most popular sports around the globe, in terms of audience and participation, with Australian being no different.  

The need for a local representative structure was key to crafting the Sunshine Conference because it will provide a pathway for junior players who have been missing out.

Bashforth believes, “With the impressive volume of junior players across the far north coast, having a respected representative competition to strive for provides a platform for young players to continue their development. It brings our seasoned veterans, juniors and associations together and strengthens our relationships across the board. 

Basketball is a great sport to play and the Sunshine Conference is a great opportunity to watch the best players competing with town provide on the line.”  

Lismore Storm captain, Jonathan Atkins says, “We’re seeing solid numbers of players wanting to be involved at our training sessions, in every region, not just Lismore. There’s no doubt all the players are starting to get excited about the Sunshine Conference and even a little cheeky with players around the region. Bragging rights are on the line and we know everyone wants to have that championship banner hanging in their stadium.”

 

2016 Sunshine Conference Champions- Byron Bay Beez

2017 Men's Sunshine Conference Champions- Graftion Vikings

2017 Women's Sunshine Conference Champions- Ballina Breakers