Toowoomba lands U14s State Championships, providing big boost for local economy

LOCAL businesses around Toowoomba will be the big beneficiaries of a major event landed by the Toowoomba Basketball Association.

TOWN BOOST: Toowoomba is set to host the 2021 Queensland U14s Boys State Championships. Picture: Kevin Farmer

BASKETBALL: Toowoomba is set for a huge boost to the local economy after securing a junior state championships event next year.

The Queensland U14s Boys State Championships will be held at the courts of Toowoomba Grammar and The Glennie School in July next year, welcoming an influx of people into the Garden City from July 2-5.

Toowoomba Basketball Association president Jamie Biggar said it had been an ambition of the association to host a statewide event.

“In the years that I’ve been involved as a parent, Toowoomba has always travelled,” Biggar said.

“Since becoming president it’s always been an ambition to apply for a state championships. Our relationship with Glennie and Grammar has grown.

“With three courts at Glennie and two at Grammar in proximity, there’s more space to run a larger championship.
“Once the proposals from Basketball Queensland came through, we put in for one of the smallest competitions.

“BQ was quite impressed, so a trip was organised to bring them through the facilities and drive them around town. Then we found out we were successful in securing one of the biggest events.

“It’s a huge competition. We have our work cut out, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Early estimates indicate around 1200-1300 players, families and officials will descend in town for the event, the first time Toowoomba will have hosted a state championships since 2008.

“We hope this can put Toowoomba basketball back on the map again,” Biggar said.

“We want to show that Toowoomba can be a viable alternative for events like state championships and gradings.

“The facilities have always been here, but they’ve never been as close together and up to the standard of BQ as they are now.

“It’s great for our juniors to play at home. They’ve always travelled which can be expensive and time consuming.”

Toowoomba North MP and TBA patron Trevor Watts said local businesses in Toowoomba will receive a huge boost.

“There is no doubt that sports tourism is big business for towns, and getting more than 1200 competitors, family and friends coming to town is big,” Watts said.

“They all need accommodation and meals to buy. This is a brilliant thing for Toowoomba and for shops in town.
“It’s great to see facilities like Glennie and Grammar being used, and we might even see some great talent coming to these boarding schools.

“It’s also a great opportunity for people who are interested in basketball to get out there and see what goes on.

“It’s a great team sport for both boys and girls that is family oriented family oriented. Hopefully this encourages kids to pick up a basketball and have a game.”

Originally published as Toowoomba lands U14s State Championships, providing big boost for local economy