Kids hoops course covers the basics

SELKIRK Stadium will be all action after school in term four as a series of introductory basketball skills programs make a return.

Aussie Hoops and Rookie Hoops are aimed at children aged four to seven, and eight to 11 respectively, while All-Abilities Hoops suits people aged five to eighteen who live with disability.

Junior development officer and coordinator Ethan Fiegert said all programs have a common thread as they’re designed to keep young people active and help them learn the basics of basketball.

“All introductory programs focus on learning the fundamental skills needed to play,” he said. “That’s dribbling, passing, shooting, and working as a team.

“You don’t have to have done basketball before because it’s introductory, it’s the basics, and all about having a fun time.

“We play a lot of games, and it’s an opportunity for kids to make new friends with similar interests.”

Mr Fiegert said basketball is an ideal all-abilities sport not only because it’s fun and social, but it’s simple to get started.

“It’s an inclusive sport, the court is accessible, parents join in, and some have fun as well,” he said.

“We have great people coaching as well, like Miners co-captain Jordan Lingard, who also works at the Ballarat Specialist School.

“Having good people around really helps us facilitate that program to the best that it can be.”

The programs run each term, and normally start in the second week. Aussie Hoops runs Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Rookie Hoops runs on Wednesdays, and All-Abilities Hoops runs on Thursday.

Visit the community tab on the Basketball Ballarat website for more information or to register.