Off the Boards The Official Newsletter of Basketball From the CEO

As August drew to a close I eagerly awaited this year’s QBL finals in the Men’s QBL Finals defeated the (113-81). In the Women’s QBL Final the Gladstone Power collected an Over Time victory over the South West Metro Pirates team (102-98).

This has, in my view, been one of the best years I have seen in the standard of the QBL. I would also to congratulate Gladstone on making the QBL finals for the first time and to all teams that competed in the finals series.

I know that some people have made comment about the fact that due to the pool system some teams that finished higher up the ladder did not make the finals. Whilst this is undoubtedly true, that is the system that we have as it is the most cost effective way to deliver the competition and ensures that the interest in each area is maintained to the very end of the competition. The struc- ture of the competition is under review with a panel of people elected from the QBL Clubs to review the competition and suggest improvement. This will be presented to the QBL Clubs when they meet after nominations for the 2010 season later this year. BQ will ensure that everyone has had an opportunity to have input into any changes that may be made. We want to have the competition that best that it can be within the constraints that we have.

We have also made some changes to the State Classics following input received from all Associa- tions who are involved. Next year both the Under 12 and Under 14 State Classics will be 4 day events. The Under 14 State Classics was reduced from 5 days because the majority of Associations indicated that this was their preference. In doing this it will reduce the accommodation costs for travelling teams by 20% thereby saving costs for travelling teams.

The same option was put forward for the Under 16 State Classics; however, the majority of Associa- tions indicated that they would prefer to leave this event at 5 days to ensure that the longer games (4 x 10 minute quarters as opposed to 4 x 8 minute quarters) would be maintained.

The Under 18 Classic is a different situation. Last year Basketball moved the Under National Championship from June/July to April. This meant that there would be a clash with the Under 18 State Classic if we continued to hold the event in April (as had been the case for many years) as it would mean that our best 20 boys and girls would not be available for the tournament. It was felt that if we continued to hold the event in April it would rob them of the opportunity of competing in this tournament which we know they all love. Off the Boards From the CEO cont...

A number of alternative times were put to Associations which included September, December, January and June. Following a lengthy debate, it was decided to hold the event in June. This has proved to unpopular and resulted in a significant reduction in the number of teams competing in the event (23% less than last year). As a consequence, we put the options out to all Associations once again to obtain feedback; however, we could not get consensus and there was no clear major- ity for any of the options which were:

1. September – too early and prior to the commencement of the representative season; 2. December – clashes with the National Champion School Tournament and it is a time when parents are looking for a break with many people on holiday reducing both competitors and volunteers available to assist the host Association; 3. January – Many people on holiday reducing both competitors and volunteers available to assist the host Association, most courts are closed as this is the only time available for maintenance, difficulty with the weather in North Queensland and it is too hot to conduct a tournament at most venues; 4. June – from experience it drags the season out too long making it difficult to retain players, there are clashes with school and it clashes with Development League and QBL; and 5. Not to hold the Under 18 Classics at all which was suggested by a couple of Associations.

We also need to consider that we struggle to secure the best officials for this event as most of the referees cannot take a week off work to attend.

As you can see, determining when to conduct the Under 18 Classic is not easy. The May Day long weekend was suggested by a couple of Associations as a viable alternative. We looked at other sports and saw that this time is also used by them. I also attended the National Junior Classics in Melbourne which is recognised as the pinnacle for Junior Basketball Tournaments in Australia. This is conducted over the Queen’s Birthday weekend (I.e. 3 days), they play 4 X 8 minute quarters with up to 3 games in a day. This tournament attracts the best teams in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and teams from Queensland also compete on a regular basis.

Taking all of this into consideration, BQ determined that we would conduct the Under 18 Classics over the May Day long weekend because it:

a) Reduces the time after the end of BQJBC b) Is a suitable time in the school calendar c) Is a time when most people are not away on holiday d) It is cost effective for travelling teams e) Will enable us to secure the best possible referees. Off the Boards From the CEO cont...

In our communication to Associations we have suggested that in order to fit this event within the time constraints of the long weekend, we would need to play games with 4 x 8 minute quarters and up to three games in a day (similar to the National Junior Classic); however, this would largely depend on the number of teams who nominate. We have selected Logan Basketball as the host as this would potentially allow us to use 7 courts for the event. We will also look to start the games on the Friday night (at least with local teams) so that we can expand the time. If possible, we will endeavour to conduct games that are 4 X 10 minute quarters, but this is only if it is possible and realistic to do so.

During this weekend we will not schedule any QBL Development League games and we will look to reduce the number of QBL games as much as possible so that the focus is on the Under 18 Classics during this time.

I hope this sheds some light on the reasons for the decision being made to hold the Under 18 Classic over the May Day long weekend and that you have some appreciation of the difficulties that Basketball Queensland faces in setting the calendar.

Lastly, I wanted to congradulate the 2009 Basketball Queensland Award Winners that were an- nounced at the recent Basketball Queensland Annual Awards Dinner. This was held on Saturday 22 August at the Shangri La Gardens, Wynnum West. It was a fantastic night which included a three course meal, all drinks and entertainment. The special guests were The Honourable Phil Reeves, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Sport and Larry Sengstock NBL Hall of Famer and the current CEO of .

Graham Burns Chief Executive Officer Basketball Queensland Off the Boards

U18 State Classics

Congratulations to all teams who participated in the 2009 U18 State Classics. Whilst Toowoomba delivered us the coldest day of the tournament on finals day, temperatures rose inside the stadi- ums with all of the gold/silver and bronze medal matches going the distance with the lead chang- ing throughout and the winners being determined in the last few minutes of play. The game of the day was undoubtedly the U18 Boys Division 1 Grand Final between Capitals and Gold Coast Waves which provided excitement plus with alley oops, slam dunks and a 13 point turn around in the last minute and a half of the game which gave Brisbane the win and the honour of being crowned State Champions. Congratulations to Brisbane on this great win and congratula- tions also to the U18 Girls State Champions, Gold Coast Waves who defeated Southern Districts Spartans in another closely fought out game.

A mention must also go to all of our medallists as shown below.

Age / Division Gold Silver Bronze U18 Girls Division 1 Gold Coast Waves Sthn Dist Spartans U18 Boys Division 1 Brisbane Capitals Gold Coast Waves Logan Thunder U18 Girls Division 2 SW Metro Pirates Northside Wizards U18 Boys Division 2 Sthn Dist Titans Noosa Cyclones Logan Storm

Basketball Queensland would like to thank the staff and volunteers at Toowoomba Basketball As- sociation who were instrumental in making the Classics the success that they were.

Lastly for the full U18 Classics Wrap including final standings, highest point scorers and top foul- ers be sure to check out the State Classics – Classics Wraps page of the website located under the Junior Competitions tab. www.basketballqld.net.au Off the Boards

Vince Hickey Award

With the U18 Classics wrapping up the State Championships for 2009, Basketball Queensland would like to congratulate Brisbane Basketball Incorporated on winning the Vince Hickey Award for overall points in the 2009 State Classics. Brisbane came from 6th place in 2008 to take the title from Townsville who were the Champion Association for two consecutive years in 2007 and 2008.

This year’s Vince Hickey winner came right down to the finals matches at the U18 State Classics with only two points separating Brisbane and Southern Districts at the conclusion of the event. In the end it was the strong performances of the U18 Boys and Girls Brisbane teams who finished first and third respectively along with the great performance of the U16 Boys team that got Bris- bane over the line.

Congratulations must also go to those Associations who improved on their overall rankings from last year including Brisbane 6th to 1st, Gold Coast 7th to 5th, Mackay 8th to 6th, South West Metro 10th to 7th and Northside 12th to 9th. These improvements are reflective of the great ef- forts many associations are making in the development of our junior players.

Vince Hickey Award – Top 3 Associations 1st – Brisbane – 161 points 2nd – Southern Districts – 159 points 3rd – Townsville and Logan – 158 points

For the full Vince Hickey Award points table check out the 2009 State Classics – State Classics Vince Hickey Award Winner page of the website under the Junior Competitions tab. U16 State Teams

Congratulation to the U16 State Teams that competed at the U16 National Championships

Qld South U16 Girls – 5th Qld North U16 Girls – 8th

Qld North U16 Boys – 11th Qld South U16 Boys – 13th

We would also like to acknowledge the referees who represented Queensland at the U16 National Championships – Tom Peisley, Gerard Young, Matthew Finn and Callum Betts….. Off the Boards Junior Comptitions

BQJBC Update

After reviewing the votes of all Associations for the structure of the 2009-10 BQJBC Season the Basketball Queensland Board has confirmed that the competition will run as an 8 team competi- tion which includes two weekends of grading and a carnival weekend mid-way through the season. The Grading Carnivals will be held on the 10th and 11th and 17th and 18th of October with rounds to commence on the 31st of October. Nomination information will be sent to all Associations in South East Queensland this week.

Champion Basketball School of Queensland Tournament

This year the Champion Basketball School of Queensland Tournament has again grown in size with 83 teams nominating by the due date of Friday the 7th of August. This is an increase of 10 teams from last year. The tournament will be held from Thursday the 17th to Sunday the 20th of September at venues in the Logan area. Due to the growth of this tournament Basketball Queen- sland are in the process of confirming final venues, however the two main venues will be Insports and Beenleigh Arena. Girls with Game

Girls with Game Basketball Network Email Emma now at [email protected] to join the Girls with Game Basketball Network and receive the free newsletter and updates for programs coming up across the state. If you join & provide your name, email address and postal address you will receive a Girls with Game pen & wrist band!

Girls with Game Slumber Party Camp Redlands PCYC Cnr Mt Cotton & Degen Rd, Capalaba 2pm Saturday 26th Sep to 12 noon Sunday 27th Sep All Girls aged 10-16 cost: $40 Includes on court & team building sessions and well as a movie & games night!

Runaway Bay Girls Only Clinic Wednesday 23rd & Thursday 24th September 9am-2:30pm- More info to come Off the Boards Off the Boards QBL D-League

Congratulations goes to the Brisbane Capitals (Women) and Runaway Bay Seahawks (Men) for winning the 2009 QBL Development League.

In the Women’s final, the Runaway Seahawks proved to be a tough customer after a surge in the 3rd quarter (18-8). In the end quality shooting from the Brisbane Capitals saw them trickle ahead and collect their 2nd title (64-59). Congratulations to the finals MVP- Seahawks Lizzie Cooper. In the Men’s final, the Runaway Seahawks dominated from the tip-off with a 14pt margin achieved by the first break. The game was very physical with the Caboolture Suns showing late form winning the final quarter 27-19 but they were unable to bridge the gap. Finals MVP was the Seahawks Antonio Reyes (24pts).

Women’s result- Brisbane Capitals 64 def. Runaway Bay Seahawks 59 Men’s result- Runaway Bay Seahawks 90 def. Caboolture Suns 72

Thanks to management and staff of both Brisbane and Runaway Bay for hosting these finals. QBL

‘Power claim 1st title with Marlins racking up no. 7’

The Cairns Marlins have blitzed the Rockhampton Rockets in the 2009 QBL Grand Final (113-81). Winning three of the four quarters and shooting at 53%, the Marlins led by Boomer Kerry Williams (26pts, 2rbs, 8asts, 1stl) racked up Championship number 7 in style, after finishing the year as minor premiers. US import Reggie Golson put up a worthy effort for the Rockets (28pts, 11rbs, 1ast, 1stl) but the teams 23 turnovers was the real thorn in their side in this game. Marlin Kerry Williams was named the Grand Final MVP.

In Townsville, the Gladstone Power fans were loud and proud as their Women’s team collected an OT victory over a worthy South West Metro Pirates team (102-98). In a game that could very well of ended in a win for either team, the Gladstone Power battled through another tiresome overtime period (their third of the weekend) to bring the first ever State Championship back to Gladstone. Hurst and Bibby dominated at both ends of the floor, with the Pirates Catherine Scanlon being named as the Grand Final MVP with 27pts, 18rbs, 2asts, 1slt, 2blks.

The Queensland Government provided over $300,000 to Basketball Queensland Organisational Development Costs as well as our Special initiatives, “Girls With Game” and “BQ33” (introducing 3 on 3 basketball to Queensland) to get more Queenslanders active through sport and recreation Off the Boards 2009 Basketball Queensland Awards

2009 Basketball Queensland Awards Winners

Junior Male Player of the Year – Brock Motum Junior Female Player of the Year – Jillian Houghton Male Coach of the Year – Shane Froling Female Coach of the Year – Nikki Bairstow Male Official of the Year – Barry McLeod Female Official of the Year – Wendy O’Brien (Scoretable Committee) Volunteer of the Year – Christine Rideout Administrator of the Year – Wendy O’Brien (Gold Coast) Mick McSween Manager of the Year – Jane McNabb

Vince Hickey Award – Brisbane Basketball Inc Small Association of the Year – Rockhampton Basketball Inc. Large Association of the Year – Gold Coast City Regional Basketball Association Life Member Awards – Don Coates and Sid Page

QBL Awards

QBL State Championship Referee of the Year – Toni Caldwell QBL State Championship Rookie Referee of the Year – Tom Slattery QBL State Championship Referee Recognition of Service – Kaye Hart

QBL D-League Men’s Most Valuable Player Jonathan Mines (South West Metro) QBL D-League Women’s Most Valuable Player Sarah Ambrose (Logan Thunder)

QBL State Championship Men’s Most Valuable Player Cameron Tragardh (Northside Wizards) QBL State Championship Women’s Most Valuable Player Kirby Dalgleish (Townsville Flames) QBL State Championship Men’s Coach of the Year Mark Wrobel (Townsville Flames) The Queensland Government provided over $300,000 to Basketball QBL State Championship Women’s Coach of the Year Queensland Organisational Development Costs as well as our Special initiatives, “Girls With Game” and “BQ33” (introducing 3 on 3 basketball to Queensland) Leonard King (Mackay Meteors) to get more Queenslanders active through sport and recreation