Broadmeadows Slam Dunk With New Basketball Hub

  • Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events

Broadmeadows Stadium will become one of seven key development centres under the Andrews Labor Government’s $101 million investment in Victoria’s basketball future.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula joined Member for Broadmeadows Frank McGuire at the stadium today to confirm that the centre would become the home of the North-West Melbourne high performance basketball hub.

Victoria is the heart of basketball in Australia with more than 50 per cent of participants registered in our state.

The new investment by the Labor Government will enable the sport to continue to grow and the next generation of Boomers and Opals to be unearthed.

The Government has backed Basketball Victoria’s high-performance plan with $5 million in the 2019/20 Victorian Budget to create centres at Geelong’s Arena, Werribee’s Eagle Stadium, Ballarat’s Sports and Entertainment Centre, Bendigo Stadium, Shepparton Basketball Stadium and Traralgon Basketball Stadium.

Basketball Victoria will also independently establish three hubs at the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna, Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre at Albert Park and Casey Stadium.

Over coming months, each centre will deliver a comprehensive elite development program for talented basketballers, a platform to prepare athletes to represent Australia and gain selection to play in the NBL, WNBL and USA college basketball system and a holistic program aimed at producing well-rounded athletes.

Basketball Victoria’s Intensive Training Program will operate out of each of the hubs with a full-time high-performance coach overseeing the program and a full-time coach appointed to each of the hubs.

The Government’s $101 million commitment to basketball in the latest Victorian Budget also includes:

  • $82 million to redevelop the State Basketball Centre
  • $13 million for upgrades to Melbourne Arena
  • $1 million to build a business case for the construction of a new arena at the State Basketball Centre.

As noted by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula

“With record numbers of Victorians signing up to play basketball we’re making sure communities like Broadmeadows have the best facilities and programs to develop the next Ben Simmons and Liz Cambage.”

“These new hubs will be real winners for their local areas, working together with local competitions that are so important in promoting health and fitness across the community.”

As stated by Member for Broadmeadows Frank McGuire

“This is a great result for Broadmeadows and Victoria. With just under 8,000 people hitting basketball courts each week in the Hume region, Broadmeadows is at the forefront of a health and fitness revolution.”

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