Alice Springs will be buzzing with excitement this weekend, with the Southern Cup Basketball Tournament bringing together the top players from Central Australia.
Twelve teams of men and women will compete to be the Champion Community/Region of Central Australia.
Department of Tourism and Culture, Executive Director Sport and Recreation, Phillip Leslie, said the regions are represented by MacDonnell Regional Council, Central Desert Regional Council, Barkly Regional Council, Anyinginyi Aboriginal Health Corporation and Warlpiri Youth Development Aboriginal Corporation.
“This event is the culmination of long-term collaboration between regional councils across the Northern Territory, Basketball NT, and the Department of Tourism and Culture,” Mr Leslie said.
“This strong partnership has delivered growth and development of basketball across the NT in regional and remote Aboriginal communities.
“The Southern Cup originated as the Central Australian Basketball Challenge in 2014 to engage women in sport in regional and remote areas of Central Australia and was expanded to include a men’s division in 2015.
“Under the department’s remote sport program, this popular and successful tournament provides a player pathway opportunity for people in remote communities playing in regular, organised basketball competitions to test themselves against teams from other regions, in a friendly tournament environment.
“Basketball can reach out to young men and women disengaged from education, work, and family and provide an avenue for pride, self-respect and positive behaviours.
“The aim of these programs is to build the capacity of remote and regional communities to conduct and deliver regular organised sporting competitions. The ongoing interest in this tournament is a demonstration of success towards these objectives.”
Last year’s women’s champions, Yuendumu Magpies, and men’s champions, Tennant Creek Tigers, will be back to defend their titles.
Entry is free so come along to the games which are being played on Saturday at Marion Stadium at Lady of Our Sacred Heart School, Sadadeen Road and Sunday at the Alice Springs Basketball Stadium, Traeger Avenue, Alice Springs.
ENDS
Media Contact: Department of Tourism and Culture Media Manager: 0476 844 832