Parent/Guardian Information

THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN PRODUCED TO ASSIST PARENTS / GUARDIANS IN THE THEIR DECISION TO UNDERTAKE JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVE BASKETBALL FOR THEIR CHILD.

The purpose of the Mackay Basketball Junior Rep program is to enhance the basketball skills, ability & knowledge of its players & coaches through a safe & hard working environment so every child can reach their full potential, develop their talents and increase their skills in the game of basketball and more importantly life.

In addition, promoting character-building, discipline, healthy lifestyles in a family-oriented association. Through routine team & individual practices, players & coaches can strive to be the best they can be. Though the rep program is a highly competitive basketball program, the focal point is development & education to optimise individual & team excellence. This is achieved through a club system & style of play which leads to championships.

Mackay teams will be extremely difficult to play against, understand how to play the game and understand the importance of the total team concepts. The keys to achieving these objectives are persistence and relentlessness, preparation and training to play to our full potential and giving one’s self for the good of the whole, never letting a teammate look bad. Our teams will be taught a style of play with Basketball Australia concepts.

Representative basketball is about elite and peak performance. It is expected that Mackay Basketball players will play to the limits of their ability and will constantly strive to learn and improve. Every player should want to be the best he or she can possibly be. To achieve this, every player should put in extra practice at all facets of the game to continue to improve their play. Development sessions may be offered to assist this. Home programs are available as well. Mackay Basketball Representative players must endeavour to improve at a rate expected of them by their Head Coach and Development Manager to hold their place in the team.

The Mackay Basketball Junior Rep Program will strive to be a basketball organisation in which the best players, coaches and administrators all combine to make the Mackay Basketball:

• Successful in State and National competitions
• Popular and well supported by the local community
• Respected by peers in the basketball community

Players are required to attend 2 training sessions a week, one will be during the week with the other held on the weekend.

Junior Representative basketball in North Queensland involves playing in the QNJBC (Queensland North Junior Basketball Championships).

These tournaments are played in Cairns, Townsville and Mackay and are held from a Friday night till a Sunday afternoon. At the completion of these tournaments, depending on which team you are in; your team may travel to the State Championships held anywhere from Cairns to the Gold Coast. This is a 4-day event held during the school holidays. Players may be required to attend a training session at the location 1 day prior to the event.

If a player is unable to attend a QNJBC event, this may jeopardise their attendance at State Champs, unless a reasonable explanation is discussed.

Dates for these events can be found on the Basketball Queensland website and the MBI website.

Players are required to find their own transport to the tournaments, whether that be in a private car, or carpool.

Players are required to attend both training each week as well as all QNJBC and State Championships. There may be other team events organised by the coach or Development Manager which the player will need to attend as well.

Many of our coaches have families of their own, I’m sure there are times during the season that they would much rather spend time with their own families, however they have made a commitment to YOUR children, so we ask that that commitment be shown back to them.

Before each set of trials, a period of ‘Prep for Rep’ sessions will take place. These sessions are open for everyone in the age group to attend regardless of their pursuit of rep basketball. We strongly recommend players looking to trial for rep attend these sessions though.

Trials take place after the Prep for Rep block. This will be a 2-week trial period with coaches running the session and a selection panel in attendance to assist with selection of teams.

The following is a set of selection criteria for how we select players into various teams:

• Outstanding desire and commitment to working hard at improving their mental and physical basketball skills
• Potential to compete successfully at rep level and beyond
• Athletic ability (e.g. speed, quick hands, strength)
• Potential to be socially compatible and display a sense of “team ethic” within a group
• Demonstrated attitude to become an exceptional basketball player
• Be highly receptive to coaching

When selecting sides, we use a flexible method with parameters in mind to help implement consistency in what we are trying to achieve with individual and team development. As a consideration for selection we combine both short term ambitions with an overall eye on the long-term development of players as individuals. In doing this we ensure the development of the greatest number of players to their best potential by the end of their junior careers. In achieving this, we then have the goal of them continuing to open age levels through our senior domestic competitions and QBL programs. The goal of our junior program is to ultimately be producing ready-made players able to commence playing open age competition at a high level of skill and with an all-round ability and understanding of the game. It is important to select players in squads that are best suited to their development and standards as well as recognising their commitment to things such as training, self-development and work ethic.

Team announcements are made the following week after the final trial session. The selected players will be emailed before teams are posted online.

Rep Basketball in North Queensland involves travel and accommodation, so with this comes expenses. Mackay Basketball runs a user pay program so that all costs are covered by the players themselves. In recent years, Mackay Basketball has implemented strategies to lower the costs involved, but the reality is, the cost of this program is close to $2000 for the full season. This includes, 3 QNJBC tournaments, 1 State Championships, uniforms, administration costs, 2 training sessions a week for 6 months and the beginning of a journey that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

Fundraising is a big part of our program, with some teams fundraising to the point where their outlay is very minimal. Mackay Basketball supports most forms of fundraising if it is approved prior. All fundraising is dependent on specific teams’ demands.

Sponsorship is another way to lower costs. As Mackay Basketball already has some fantastic sponsors on board, all sponsorship needs to be approved prior to approaching these businesses. Sponsorship cannot be for an individual; this must go towards team expenses. Mackay Basketball, where possible, will aim to source sponsorship of the program to assist with the financial burden.

For further information, please email development@mackaybasketball.com.au