Supercamp and Pop celebrate 35 years of basketball in Toowoomba

Supercamp has long been a staple of basketball in Toowoomba, having thousands of kids passing through their doors. Now in 2023 Supercamp is celebrating their 35th year.

Pop Dickerson's Supercamp Australia coach Pop Dickerson with camp attendee Jakob Marsh, Monday, January 9, 2023.

BASKETBALL: Supercamp is celebrating its 35th year of basketball camps this year, and is still as popular as ever.

First run in 1988, ‘Pop’ Dickerson has been a stalwart of the basketball community in the region.

The Mountaineers great has been running this year’s camp at Concordia College and Harristown State High this week.

Boys and girls from across the region and beyond come together for the week, to learn, share and develop their basketball skills.

“This year we have around 200 to 250 kids, boys and girls ranging from six to 18 years old,” Dickerson said.

“Seeing the growth of the kids where they get the fundamentals from seven and eight to when they’re teenagers, that’s what it’s about.

“If you don’t have skills you’re welcome, if you’ve got the best skills in the world you’re welcome.

“I just hope that the kids say‘I went to Supercamp and I had a fun time’.”

Young boys and girls and teenagers from the Darling Downs and beyond are in attendance at this year’s camp.

Finn McIntyre

Making the trip up from the Gold Coast specifically for the camp, Finn McIntyre originally from Bellingen, NSW, has attended more Supercamps than he can remember.

Finn McIntyre shoots during a drill at Pop Dickerson's Supercamp Australia, Monday, January 9, 2023.

“I’ve been coming for years, even when I was living in Bellingen,” McIntyre said.

A shooting guard who currently plays for the under 21 Gold Coast Seahawks relishes in the advice and coaching he has received throughout his time.

“The coaches are really experienced and when I come back I learn new stuff each time,” McIntyre said.

“The atmosphere of the camp also is super positive and fun vibes. Everyone here loves basketball.

“It’s just fun honestly, that’s the best way I can describe it.

At 17 it’s McIntyre’s last year as a player, but has assured ‘Pop’ that he will return in 2024 as a coach for the camp.

Jacob Forrester

At 11-years-old, Jacob Forrester has been attending Supercamp since 2019.

Currently playing for Running Rebels and his school as a point guard and a “big-man” he is loving every moment.

“I love that everyone here all has the same love of basketball as I do,” Forrester said.

“We do a lot of running, and obviously heaps of basketball.

“I remember not even being able to dribble with my left hand, now I can ‘spider dribble’ with that hand.”

Forrester said he has made 10 friends during the camps, some of them from Bundaberg, Hervey Bay and Roma.

The camp runs many different skill based and fun based activities and drills such as ‘hot-seat’ and ‘knockout’ and shooting games as well as defensive games.

“I would tell kids that are thinking about coming that, you can improve yourself (basketball skill), you meet cool people, and it’s heaps of fun,” Forrester said.

Elizabeth Cross

Having been playing basketball for just two years, Elizabeth Cross is enjoying the sport more than ever.

A small forward at Running Rebels, Cross has enjoyed the community environment.

“It’s a great opportunity to meet new friends who also share the same love for basketball,” Cross said.

“I met a couple new friends and there’s this little girl that hangs out with me now which is cute.”

“It’s just a great community.”

At 16, Cross only has a couple more camps as a player.

“I’m definitely coming back and also I’d love to coach when I’m older,” Cross said.

“I absolutely recommend the camp and I want more young girls to come out and give it a go, it’s a leap of faith but you’ll not regret it.”

Enjoying Pop Dickerson's Supercamp Australia are Abigail Collins (left) and Elizabeth Cross, Monday, January 9, 2023.

Abigail Collins

Playing for Rebels as a point guard Abigail Collins is at her third Supercamp.

Having played basketball for six years, the 15 year-old looks forward to the camp each year.

“Dad is a coach for Pop and I always enjoy my time here. It’s just super fun and a great environment for basketball,” Collins said.

“I’ve made some really amazing friendships here. They are one of the main reasons I keep coming back actually. I’ve got friends I only catch up with at this camp from Warwick, Byron and Roma.”

A standout moment for Collins was in a 1vs1 session a couple of years ago when she won all her face-offs against many different players at the camp.

“You get to challenge yourself as you train with and versus people you wouldn’t normally play against,” Collins said.

“I’m definitely coming back next year. I’m planning on coming back as long as I can and eventually I want to be a coach for the camps.”

Jakob Marsh (centre) under the basket during Pop Dickerson's Supercamp Australia, Monday, January 9, 2023.

Meekah Schuurman during a basketball drill at Pop Dickerson's Supercamp Australia, Monday, January 9, 2023.

Oliver Trinh during a basketball drill at Pop Dickerson's Supercamp Australia, Monday, January 9, 2023.

Nash Rodgers during Pop Dickerson's Supercamp Australia, Monday, January 9, 2023.