15 May 2019
For immediate release
Hawthorn Basketball Association (HBA) is pleased to announce that we will play host to Round 14 NBL1 action between Hobart Huskies and the Basketball Australia – Centre of Excellence (BA CoE).
The NBL1 is in its inaugural season, and with the commercial and media backing of the National Basketball League (NBL), has already proven to be the best winter competition in the country and a key breeding ground for future NBL talent.
The HBA are honoured to be given the opportunity by Basketball Victoria to host NBL1 games in the its inaugural season.
“The HBA have a desire to participate in the NBL1 competition in the not too distant future, and these games will provide as opportunity to show case our ability to host a quality event” said HBA General Manager, Brock Rogers.
“We are asking the entire HBA community to get behind the event to show support for the elite level competition and demonstrate that we should be considered as a potential NBL1 program”.
The BA CoE teams bring together the best young talent in the country. Based at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra, the athletes take part in daily intensive training and education programs that incorporate both on and off the court learning. One of those athletes is ex-Hawthorn Magic junior, Sara- Rose Smith, who will get an opportunity to play in front of family and friends at the Boroondara Sports Complex.
“I am excited to get back home and be able to play in front of family and friends with my teammates from the BA COE” said Smith.
“Hawthorn Magic played a major role in my development and playing on the main court at BSC again will be exciting”.
The HBA would also like to make the most of the opportunity and create a festival of basketball across the day and weekend, with a number of special events and further announcements to be made in the coming weeks.
However, the HBA can confirm that prior to the NBL1 contests, Hawthorn Magic Youth teams will compete in Round 16 Big V action.
Schedule of Play
Saturday 13 July
Boroondara Sports Complex
1:30pm – Big V Youth Women: Hawthorn Magic vs Knox Raiders 3:30pm – Big V Youth Men: Hawthorn Magic vs Southern Sabres 5:30pm – NBL1 Women: BA COE vs Hobart Huskies
7:30pm – NBL1 Men: BA COE vs Hobart Huskies
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Photo: Ex-Hawthorn Magic athlete, and current COE scholarship holder, Sara-Rose Smith with her 3×3 teammates at the 2018 Youth Olympics. Sara-Rose will get an opportunity to play in front of family and friends on Saturday 13 July.
For further information, please contact Hawthorn Basketball Association, General Manager, Brock Rogers via gm@hawthornmagic.com.au or 0418 995 105.
