Masters inaugural Geelong tourney announced for June

HUNDREDS of “masters” basketball players from across the region and around the state will converge on Geelong Sports Hub this June.

Geelong’s inaugural Masters Basketball Tournament has been slated for June 3-4 in a partnership with Myths & Legends Basketball Australia and Wildcats Basketball Club, providing an exciting opportunity for local players aged anywhere from 25 and upwards to compete against fellow basketballers at a similar age.

Lead organiser of the tournament Steve Saynor said it was long overdue to bring a Masters Basketball Tournament to the Geelong region with participation numbers exponentially climbing.

“Masters sports have been going in Australia for over 30 years, but they’ve been typically held as one or two-week-long events, and those are held primarily through the Pan Pacific and Australian Masters Games,” Saynor said.

“But over the past year or so, there’s been a handful of us that have been trying to establish a forum since the COVID-19 pandemic where we hold a masters event every six weeks or so, to just try and create that social benefit that people get through sport – and now it’s on its way to Geelong.”

Played across Geelong Sports Hub’s four courts, there will be age-specific categories for Men’s players such as 25+, 35+, 45+, 55+ and 70+. Women’s age grades will range from 25+, 35+ and 45+.

Saynor expects the two-day tournament to draw an economic boon to the Greater Geelong based on previous tournaments, the most recent being in Korumburra back in March.

“In terms of revenue at our previous locations, we were able to $100,000 to the local economy to Korumburra alone,” he added.

“We’re expecting a similar, if not bigger turnout, when we host this tournament in Geelong next month.”

Ocean Grove Breakers president Tim Semple was a major proponent of the Geelong Masters Basketball Tournament.

“Basketball numbers are exploding across the region, it’s hard to think of a better location to host a tournament like this,” Semple said.

“Juniors numbers are going through the roof, and in turn, the parents are getting involved. Us as a club, we now have three senior teams and a women’s team that has just come on board.

“People around our age are looking for different ways to stay healthy, and the benefit of this tournament to the region will be quite significant I estimate. It’ll will also provide a chance for out-of-towner to stay in the region for an extended amount of time.”

To register as a team or individual, please contact organisers Steve Saynor on 0407 323 396 or George Bej on 0498 001 477. All are welcome.