Goannas using local connection as motivation for Deaflympics qualifying tournament

AUSTRALIA’S National Deaf Basketball Team coach and Torquay resident Brent Reid said his team was ready to contend at his team’s coming major tournament, with bigger aspirations also at stake.

Australia’s Goannas will not only participate in this month’s 2024 Asia-Pacific Deaf Basketball Championships but also host the tournament, as the team seeks to be crowned kings of the Asia-Pacific.

The tournament will run from September 21 to September 29 at the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna South as the Goannas take part in group and knockout play.

“This is also our qualifying tournament for the Deaflympics in Tokyo next year, so the top two teams will earn direct entry to that, which means this tournament is just massive for us,” Reid said.

“It’s really our only chance to automatically qualify, so it’s of huge importance for the group and they’ve spent the whole year training for it, we’re pretty excited now we’re at the pointy end of the preparation.”

The Goannas will endeavour to make it all the way to the final to secure its Deaflympics qualification.

To do so, they will meet India, Hong Kong and Indonesia in group play, before potentially featuring in knockout quarter-final and semi-final fixtures to reach the final.

Reid, who has lived in Torquay for the past five years, also touched on the home support from both Geelong and his home on the Surf Coast, with his team regularly conducting training camps at both Wurdi Baierr Stadium and Hoop City Geelong.

“In Surf Coast’s inaugural Big V season in 2022, they had three of the current Goannas actually in that team, so there is a nice local connection the community has,” Reid said.

“But we couldn’t be more grateful of the help the local basketball clubs have given not only myself but the team as well. We feel really supported down this way.”

Anyone looking to support the team during the championships can check out the team’s schedule at deafbasketballaustralia.org.au