NT basketball juniors find plethora of oppurtunities down south, inspiring push for Darwin-based NBL1 side
A NUMBER of the best NT basketball juniors are finding quality opportunities down south in 2021, re-sparking the conversation of a potential Darwin based NBL1 side.
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A NUMBER of the best NT basketball juniors are finding quality opportunities down south in 2021, re-sparking the conversation of a potential Darwin based NBL1 side.
A number of Darwin juniors have already made the move whether for schooling opportunities or in pursuit of their dream in the sport.
Men’s top-league stars James Toohey, Freddy Webb, Joel De Barros, Will Burton, Matthew Hammer and Thomas Malseed are among those to grab chances in the next stages of their careers.
And the region’s star female youngsters have also received plenty of recognition, with Sophie Palmer, Laleeta Das, April Rummery Lamb, Olivia Dean and Bella Perkins all finding clubs in NBL1-level competitions.
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Former Jets junior TJ Ambrose-Pearce and Alice Springs standout Khori Mills-Richardson have also found themselves in pursuit of opportunities down south.
Basketball NT high performance and basketball development manager Rod Tremlett was pleased to see so many NT juniors picked up by clubs from across Australia.
“It’s fantastic. All these kids have been part of the high performance program or NT teams and its pleasing to see them take the next step,” Tremlett told the NT News.
“Some of these kids have gone away with school while the older guys are chasing their basketball dreams so to see them getting these opportunities at the next level is really exciting.
“It shows our program is on the right track and is starting to bear fruit and it’s really pleased to hear those kids do well and get some real acknowledgement.”
Palmer and De Barros have enjoyed previous success on the national stage, and now playing with Hawthorn Magic and Woodville respectively will provide plenty of chances to continue progressing their careers.
The pair are also expected to make a return in March to represent the NT in the Under-18s National Championships, which will only further their basketball ambitions and opportunities.
“This is perhaps our biggest year for talent movement but it paves the way for the group behind to see Territory kids succeed and be competitive,” Tremlett said.
“It’s a snowball effect of kids seeing kids take the big step and realising that it is achievable and something they’re comfortable with as this current group would have seen with Abby Cubillo.
“Those kids such as Joel and Sophie are still able to play in our age groups and they’re all still super passionate to play for the Territory.
“The National Championships are the best place to showcase our talent to the rest of Australia and I’m looking forward to taking the male and female under 18s teams away in April.”
And with the talent moving down south Tremlett believes it’s more important than ever to complement the junior talent pathways now apparent in the NT with a Darwin based NBL1 side.
“The NBL1 side now becomes a priority for us and is about us formally butting our heads together to make it happen,” Tremlett said.
“This mass movement shows that we have depth in juniors up here and shows that it’s more important than ever to provide these opportunities here through a Darwin based NBL1 team.
“We have the operational expertise to have a team ready to go tomorrow but we’re held back by financial restraints and that’s about getting creative and chasing down partners.
“We’ve got the facilities, we have the expertise and coaching ranks just need to solve the financial side as it’s no cheap exercise playing home and away games.
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“If these kids want to proceed they have to move away but we want to provide a local option where they can stay and pursue their studies here while playing at the next level.”
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