Territory youth mentor Timmy Duggan’s Hoops 4 Health program growing in popularity, Caps’ Abby Cubillo star guest coach at Karama
SIX months ago, Territory youth basketball mentor Timmy Duggan was unsure about the future of his highly popular Hoops 4 Health program. How things have changed since.
Local sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
HOOPS 4 Health founder and Territory basketball legend Timmy Duggan vividly remembers going to a junior football clinic ran by the late, great Maurice Rioli Sr – and it inspired him to be the respected community mentor he is today.
This is why he is so driven to continue spreading the gospel of mental and physical health through his skills and fitness clinics.
Yet another strong turnout of budding young Territory hoops stars showed up to his coaching class at Holy Family School in Karama on Monday.
Two-time WNBL champion at the Canberra Capitals and proud northern suburbs Darwin product, Abby Cubillo, was the superstar guest coach.
“I still remember going to a Maurice Rioli football clinic when I was younger. It had such a big and positive impact on me,” Duggan told the NT News.
This is also why Duggan – the first Territorian to play in the NBL, representing Gold Coast Rollers and Cairns Taipans – is rapt at the bright future of his initiative which he started back in 2001.
Duggan said this only in August last year:
“It’s been going for 20 years, but the funding for it has fizzled out.
“But it’d be great for this to continue so we can keep delivering positive outcomes for young people.”
Just five months later, he is a lot more optimistic.
Ambah Kowcun the star guest coach at Timmy Duggan’s Hoops 4 Health clinic at Malak courts
Territorian Tim Duggan the founder and mentor of the NBL’s inaugural Indigenous Round
Mundine plans national tour to help at-risk youth
“We’re very fortunate to have support from the NT Government and Territory Families, and we’re showing them what we can do for Territory kids,” he said.
“We definitely want to keep it going. Non-basketball playing kids have also turned up for the fitness component run by Fitness Frequency.
“We use a lot of mental imagery and positive reinforcement with our local coaches.
“Kylie Duggan and Desiree Weetra have played for the NT, and our guests including Abby and Ambah Kowcun are also from the northern suburbs.
“So the kids are being inspired by local Indigenous women, and it’s free for them to attend.”
Duggan had a 2020 to remember.
His Hoops 4 Health initiative continued to grow, he played a major role in the Darwin Basketball Association and NBL implementing respective Indigenous Rounds, and he and multiple world boxing champion Anthony ‘Choc’ Mundine began their Mindset of a Champion national tour.
That got up and running in Darwin before the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic halted it temporarily.
Duggan was pleasantly surprised by Mundine’s willingness to continually help him motivate at-risk kids after he visited his great mate in the Top End last month.
“Choc got off the plane and said ‘what are you doing?’ and I said I’m going to Don Dale Detention Centre,” Duggan said.
“And he said ‘I’m coming with you’, and every young kid in there was inspired by him.”
There is no doubt Duggan will be welcomed with open arms if he decides to go back and coach in the DBA, after mentoring Razzle to the 2019 DBA Men’s Championship title.
But he also loves being a mentor to Territory kids, and is keen to carry the momentum he generated in 2020 throughout this year.
“I’d look at a coaching opportunity if or when one was to come up, but at the moment I’m a little stretched,” he said.
“I’d like to continue growing Hoops 4 Health for Darwin northern suburbs kids, and take it out to other locations and communities in the Territory.
“(On Monday) the young people were treated to getting up close and personal with Abby – a legend of the sport here in Darwin.
“They were able to ask questions and listen to her responses around training, diet, setbacks and her highlights.
“On behalf of Hoops 4 Health we thank her for her contributions to the program.”
‘See some records broken’: First medals given out as ‘Games with Heart’ kicks off
One of the biggest weeks on the Red Centre sporting calendar is underway in full force, drawing thousands of competitors – some of whom have already taken out the top prize. SEE THE PICTURES.
REPLAY: Magpies impress in first outing of new campaign
Is this a changing of the guard moment in the NTFL women’s competition? A young Palmerston side has overcome a rebuilding Waratah to kick off their season in style. Check the REPLAY.