PROMISING basketball juniors across the region are at risk of being overlooked, under-coached or bored with the game under an increasing squeeze for Ballarat court space.
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Under-12 boys and girls from across central and western Victoria were forced to cram on the sidelines while waiting time on the floor across two venues in a Basketball Victoria Country skills day at the weekend.
Tight scheduling for courts allowed for two courts between 90 children at the Minerdome, while youth state league matches filled the main arena, and a further 35 bottom-age children for skills day at Wendouree Sports and Events Centre.
Skills days are open to paying juniors of all abilities for extra attention on their game but also serve as selections for an annual BVC Jamboree to further develop their games.
Ballarat Basketball junior development officer Peter Cunningham said booming interest in the sport meant camps could no longer get by. He said it was tough trying to juggle teaching so many juniors while ensuring they were engaged and having fun at the same time.
“Kids are not getting the level of coaching they need for representation games when they go away,” Mr Cunningham said.
“If we play games, even seven-aside, you still have about 70 kids watching on.
“This makes it difficult for selectors and experienced coaches, because if you don’t touch the ball in that short time on court, you won’t get seen unless someone already knows about you.”
An expanded talent region drew promising juniors to Ballarat from Melton, Bacchus Marsh, Maryborough, Donald, Woodend, Ararat and Colac, plus a few others who were unable to attend skills days in other regions. This also allowed closer skills training and shooting practice.
Most Victoria Country regions host skills days on separate weekend days for boys and girls to maximise court space but Ballarat remains limited due to a booming Saturday junior competition.
Ballarat will gain four courts under the $14 million stage one Ballarat Sports and Events Centre project, which is in design stages.
Basketball Ballarat and the City of Ballarat remain seeking a further $10 million to fully develop the project, adding six courts, with an application before the federal government under National Stronger Regions Fund round three grants.
Mr Cunningham said there was a growing demand for more specialist junior coaching sessions and development camps and it was important to meet demand to both keep juniors active and keen to play basketball for the game’s development.
