Hoop City Ballers to make it rain for Dry July

A LOCAL initiative is hoping to beat its fundraising record of $15,000 with participants preparing to ball out later this month.

The Hoop City Ballers team will shoot 500 three pointers each at Hoop City Geelong on July 25, with every made three-pointer raising valuable cash for Barwon Health’s Andrew Love Cancer Centre as part of Dry July.

Team organiser and co-founder Pete Williamson said fundraising has increased each year, with Hoop City Ballers raising approximately $19,500 over its first two years and through donations and made three-point baskets.

“From the team’s point of view, a bit of time and effort goes into this fundraiser, but it’s all worth it,” Mr Williamson said.

“Some of our team members are still playing basketball at a high level and it’s a bit of an ask to shoot 500 threes on any given day, so we’re grateful for their contributions.

“It’s all a bit of fun, we don’t take it too seriously, it’s all going to a great cause and Barwon Health and Dry July, they’ve both been really supportive, as well as the Geelong community.”

The team features semi-professional basketballers, other sports figures and community members from across the region including Geelong United star Demarcus Gatlin, Bellarine Storm import Kavione Green, last year’s runner-up shooter Seth Garcia, and retired tennis player Mark Philippoussis to name a few.

In addition to funds being raised by athletes and team members, local businesses also had a chance to take part in the business shootaround on Thursday last week.

Mr Williamson said almost $5,000 had already been raised before the beginning of Dry July.

Hoop City Ballers is also calling out to junior basketball teams across the region to consider raising funds through their own shootaround events and tagging Hoop City Ballers on social media to boost awareness about Dry July.

“The more awareness and money raised the better, but if we can get the junior programs doing it at the end of trainings, putting things on social media and tagging us in it, it would really make a difference I believe,” Mr Williamson said.

“If anyone wants to get involved, let us hear about it, and we encourage anyone who finds themselves with nothing to do on July 25 to head down to Hoop City Geelong to show support, we’ll be shooting pretty much all day.”

You can also donate here Hoop City Ballers Dry July.