Baker and Amoore will team up again to defend their 2017 AJC U18 Women’s Championship

Basketball Australia is excited to be holding the Under-18 Australian Championships and Kevin Coombs Cup with Basketball Geelong hosting the event from April 21-28.

Over 100 games will be played across eight days with every state and territory represented through the three competitions.

Many of Australia’s future stars are discovered at the Under-18’s with Boomers Matthew Dellavedova and Patty Mills as well as Opals Liz Cambage and Sara Blicavs competing in the tournament in the past.

For that reason, the Under-18’s holds great significance in the Australian basketball pathway.

In 2018, SEABL Rush and Australian U17 point guard Georgia Amoore will lead the Women’s team being named captain of Country Victoria, with Bella Westbrook continuing to work hard and grow as she fills a emergency position. On the men’s side, NPP scholarship athlete and Youth League Miner Ethan Fiegert has been selected as a bottom age player, whilst another Youth League Miner Jeremiah McKenzie has been selected to be an emergency.

Basketball Ballarat Manager of Athlete & Coach Development Nathan Cooper-Brown commented on the selections, “This a wonderful result for our athletes and our program. These four individuals have done a sensational job of buying-in to our program’s values and standards, and have utilised all the development opportunities we offer. And its paid off. We know they will represent us with great pride in Geelong.”

Along with talented athletes heading to Geelong, Basketball Ballarat’s Senior Elite Teams will also be represented on the coaching side. SEABL Miners assistant Rob Baker returns to the Women’s team as an assistant coach after claiming a gold medal with the same age group last year in Townsville. And on the Men’s side Youth League Miners head coach Daniel Knaggs, has been reappointed as an assistant coach, whilst Youth League Miners assistant Ryan McKew has been appointed the Men’s development coach, his first time representing his State.

McKew commented on his selection, “Having the opportunity to be on the coaching staff for my first AJC is a huge honour and privilege. I am very passionate about the Country Victoria program and so fortunate to be able to assist with the U18’s boys as we head into our campaign at Nationals.”

Cooper-Brown added, “Developing coaches and helping them pursue the State and National pathways are an important part of what we are trying to do. I’m so happy for these three coaches, they have invested in their craft and the program. I wish them and their teams nothing but the best in Geelong.