Winter preview: Home grown competition name of the game at Echuca Basketball Association

One of the first sports to return to the schedule last year, the association has already become accustomed to the unreliability of playing sport.

But it’s done little to dampen the spirits of those at the courts.

“We’re sort of in the know now. It’s out of your control. People are more understanding, whereas the initial thought was why wasn’t basketball being played,” president Lisa Baker said.

From a successful shortened CBL season to its current senior and junior domestic seasons, players are just enjoying the privilege of playing basketball.

And the time away from the court has seen the association go from strength to strength.

“We knew it would be big. We’ve got a lot of kids playing, we’ve got the best numbers we’ve ever seen for Aussie Hoops,” Baker said.

“I think it’s because of people just not getting anything to do last year.”

Baker said it wasn’t just junior engagement reaching new heights, but that parents were also getting themselves into the mix.

“We’ve had lots of parents down helping and volunteering,” she said.

“We’re a very fortunate club, we’ve got good people in the club. It’s just so good to see everyone back on the court.”

Throughout the colder months, the association will continue to offer its domestic competitions, as junior representative training finishes next month.

With CBL training not back before August, the association is offering a chance for players to come down on Tuesday nights for a shoot-around and scrimmage.

“It’s just an open shoot around from 7.30 pm to 9 pm. You pay a small fee, come shoot, have a scrimmage and meet new people,” Baker said.

For more information, contact the club through its Facebook page under Echuca Basketball Association.

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