Ellas Titans star Deola D’Brown says MAD 3x3 Events comp at Coolalinga to be big hit on Sunday

ELLAS Titans star big man Deola D’Brown will be hosting the first ever FIBA endorsed all-inclusive 3x3 event at Coolalinga this Sunday.

Darwin Mad Ballers 3x3 organisers Emanuel Siriotis and Deola D’Brown, with Helping People Achieve’s Tony Burns (centre) in 2019. Picture: SUPPLIED

ELLAS Titans star Deola D’Brown will be hosting the first ever FIBA endorsed all-inclusive 3x3 event at Coolalinga this Sunday.

D’Brown brings a host of experience when it comes to playing and coaching the short form of basketball and is hoping to inspire more people into the sport through his MAD 3x3 Events.

And thanks to Litchfield Council and a collaboration with Palmerston and Regional Basketball Association and Ellas Titans, he has been able to put together a first an Australian first of both intellectual disability and wheelchair 3x3 competitions.

“This event creates an opportunity to play the sport we all love and has many firsts,” D’Brown told the NT News.

“This is the first FIBA endorsed intellectual disability 3x3 event worldwide, first wheelchair 3x3 event in Australia and the first NT 3x3 event to be hosted inside a mall.

“We were originally hoping to get 100 people but with all the interest we have received it’s looking like we might get almost double that number.

“The support has been tremendous and that’s what has motivated us to push on with these events and increase the inclusivity so everyone can play this sport.

“It’s a proud moment for us to get these include these people with different abilities because this game is for everyone no matter your abilities or disabilities.”

The free event running from 10am to 5pm will shoot off with a come and try session for members of the community to get involved followed by the intellectual disabilities and wheelchair sessions.

Following those sessions come the junior and senior events with over $2000 worth of prizes on offer for all the winners throughout the day.

D’Brown will also turn his focus to his Ellas Titans league side who will soon start preparing for the 2021 season.

Imports are in short supply in 2021 but that has given the club an increased focus on developing their junior talent with the hopes of many stepping up to league level.

D’Brown is also a massive advocate of women in sport and wants those interested in trying out basketball to come and try out at Ellas Titans, with both him and fellow player-coach Ben Streeter involved in coaching junior girls.

“This season the focus of Ellas Titans will be on coaching and developing our juniors and getting them into the league program,” D’Brown said.

“This will be a rebuilding year for a lot of the league as there won’t be a lot of imports due to the season clash and travel restrictions so the focus will be on younger players.

“I’m also a huge advocate of women in sport and want to see more take part so if anyone is interested in taking part doesn’t matter if they’ve played before come and contact us.”

You can contact Ellas Titans via their Facebook page or email [e-mail].