North Coast Shield rebounds strong after Covid
North Coast Shield basketball has rebounded strong after being benched during Covid. Here is what’s happening>>>
Lismore
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North Coast Shield basketball is revving up to be a sensation this year with more players than ever signing up for biggest local juniors basketball competition in the region.
Several clubs from Ballina to Yamba are pitching their best feet forward for the 18-round comp that is the only juniors development competition of its kind in regional NSW.
Secretary of North Coast Shield Basketball Ross Wilson said they have over 50 teams this season.
“It’s an exciting return to competition for NCS this year because Covid unfortunately stopped us from holding any comp in 2021,” Wilson said.
“The competition structure is each age group plays four rounds and progresses towards finals in November.”
The Byron Bay Beez will be keen to retain their grand final glory from 2020 as they take on rivals Ballina Breakers, Grafton Vikings, Lismore Storm, Murwillumbah Phoenix, Valley Braves and Yamba Trawlers.
“The aim of NCS is to provide every junior an opportunity to play competitive basketball in our regional area with an emphasis on player development,” Wilson said.
Juniors from U10s through to U18s are encouraged to compete in the North Coast Shield as a means to get them to the next level of the game.
“North Coast Shield is designed to develop players to upskill to the next level which is the Northern Junior League or Waratah League competition which involves a lot more travel to places like Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and more recently down to Newcastle,” Wilson said.
The North Coast Shield will be played in basketball stadiums in Byron, Ballina, Lismore, Grafton, and Yamba.
“NCS is particularly relevant in our area due to the distance and cost involved of travelling to metropolitan areas of NSW.
“We have about 51 teams across the comp which is still being finalised for some of the age groups which haven’t started competition yet,” Wilson said.
The U14s girls and boys will take it to the courts of Grafton PCYC for round 2 on August 7.
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