Dragons and Stingrays net some Supercats time

TORQUAY’S junior basketballers had an extra special training session last week, as they were joined by some of the players from the Geelong Supercats.

It was a great opportunity for Torquay’s young basketballers to see where the sport could take them, with many having only recently picked up the game. Junior team coach Peter Withers had initially only planned to run a seven-week developmental program in Torquay.

But the overwhelmingly positive response to the program meant there was suddenly enough interest to form multiple junior teams.

Peter, who has more than 25 years’ experience coaching basketball at both state and national level, was happy to take on the role as coach.

He saw the training session as not only an opportunity for his junior sides, but also for the Supercats players.

“It is a chance for the girls to remind themselves where they started not so long ago and hopefully, they will see the happiness of these kids while learning skills.”

Peter is helped in coaching the junior sides by Lindy Salter, who has also coached at domestic and representative level.

Lindy said the focus is on creating an inclusive team environment.

“Everyone needs to be given an opportunity to develop and play their role for the team.”

It seems many more children will be given this opportunity, as basketball is growing rapidly in popularity across the Surf Coast, with two new courts soon to be built in Torquay