• Team registrations open for 3x3 basketball competition starting soon

Team registrations are now open for a new community-based competition for the Olympic sport of ‘3x3 basketball’ which will commence at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst on Monday 12 October.

Mr Stephen Howell, Supervisor at the Charles Sturt University gymnasium in Bathurst, is introducing the new sport of 3x3 basketball to the local community and is calling for registrations of five-person teams.

“The competition is a great opportunity for local male and female athletes aged 16 years and over to participate in a fast growing major global sport,” Mr Howell said.

“This form of the game also offers opportunities for selection at national and Olympic levels.

“Few people realise yet that 3x3 basketball is a new Olympic sport; in 2017 it was selected as an official Olympic sport for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, and it is the first-ever new Youth Olympic Games discipline to be included in the Olympic program.

“As far as I know, there are currently no 3x3 university-level basketball competitions in central west NSW, but there will be as the sport’s popularity grows.”

The 3x3 basketball teams consist of up to five players aged 16 years and over, with three-a-side on court and two substitutes on the bench. Members of the public are welcome to play in the competition.

Mr Howell said, “In addition, any participating Charles Sturt University athletes are eligible to compete at the UniSport Nationals, as 3x3 basketball is now one of the Games’ events.

“This new competition could be a pathway to selection for University Nationals in the future.”

Registrations for teams of five close on Thursday 8 October and the inaugural six-week competition starts at 6pm on Monday 12 October at the Charles Sturt University gymnasium (building 1220, corner of Wiradjuri Road and Village Drive) in Bathurst.

For more information please contact Mr Stephen Howell on (02) 6338 4490 or email showell@csu.edu.au