Maccas backs local hoop dreams

THE licensee of the Bendigo, Strath Village, Kangaroo Flat, Epsom and California Gully McDonald’s fast-food restaurants, Ben Duncan, has agreed to a two-year sponsorship deal with Bendigo’s home of basketball, Red Energy Arena.

As part of the agreement, the local McDonald’s tsar will sponsor the Youth League Bendigo Braves Program and the Bendigo Junior Classic from next year.

“This is an important partnership because it allows for expansion of our basketball pathways and further training opportunities for young people,” said Georgia Rogers, commercial partnerships officer at the Arena.

“This kind of financial business support will assist our junior pathways for the future and aspiring athletes in Bendigo.”

As part of the Youth League Program, the Bendigo Braves men’s development team competes in Basketball Victoria’s Youth League One Men competition and last season they finished second from bottom of the table with six wins from 22 games.

The women’s development team competes in the Victorian Youth Championship Women League Terril Conference and finished 2022 in third on the ladder with 15 wins from 22 games.

The 2023 McDonald’s Bendigo Junior Classic will be held from Thursday, 26 January to Saturday, 28 January and is set to host teams across multiple age groups from under 12 boys and girls to under 20 men and women.