Geelong nets inaugural round of new 3X3 basketball nationals

HAVING A BALL: Brodie Haugh, Kobe Shewry and Eliza Haugh sharpen their sills at the launch of Basketball Australia's 2015 3X3 Nationals in Geelong this week. 133322 Picture: Reg Ryan

GEELONG will host the inaugural round of a national three-on-three basketball competition.
Basketball Australia chief Anthony Moore said the 2015 3X3 Nationals would begin at North Geelong’s Arena on the March Labour Day long weekend before six further qualifying rounds in regional centres across Australia.
The national titles would have male and female teams in under-14s, under-18s and open divisions, Mr Moore said.
“3X3 has been extremely popular overseas and I am confident that Australia will also experience the same success.”
Geelong council’s sport portfolio-holder, Jock Irvine, said 3X3 basketball had more than 250 million players worldwide, ranking it “one of the most-played recreational sports on the planet”.
The nationals would be considered an “important stepping stone in the career of Geelong basketballers”, he said.
Teams that reached the quarter finals of the qualifying events would become automatically eligible for the national finals.
City Hall said registration information was available at basketball.net.au.