MANY of the Bendigo Braves basketball greats will be back on court for a unique match this Sunday.
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Stars of yesteryear such as David Flint, Steve Kelly, Nick McCauley and Ricky Daniels will join present-day coach Ben Harvey and captain Chris Hogan for a special cause.
The aim of Sunday’s match is to tip in more support for the Bendigo Braves under-14 boys’ team fund-raising campaign ahead of the Australian titles in late September.
Bendigo’s under-14 team was undefeated champion at the Victoria Country titles played on Shepparton’s courts in April.
Sunday’s match tips-off at 4.30pm on the Bendigo Stadium showcourt and will feature a mixture of line-ups.
The recruiting spree for the Braves legends is led by Ricky Daniels, a star in the club’s national championship triumph in 2005.
Daniels has called on the likes of Ballarat great Eric Hayes, and Mildura’s Joe Harris to play.
“The idea for a match was discussed at a fund-raising meeting,” Daniels said on Tuesday from the sidelines of the Bendigo Stadium showcourt in West Bendigo.
“It’s all about helping the next generation of players.”
Flint and Kelly will be keen to rack up points, rebounds, assists and blocks.
Their court-smarts, skill and sheer determination were key factors in the Braves’ first South East Australia Basketball League championship in 1988 and were two of the longest-serving players in the Bendigo Braves 30-year history.
The Bendigo Braves under-14 boys’ team is coached by Bendigo Basketball life member Don Coulson.
Assistant coach Ben McCauley said a great run in tournament’s from late last year until early June included wins in Shepparton, Bendigo and Swan Hill.
The Braves’ young guns were fourth at the Dandenong classic played on the Queen’s Birthday holiday weekend.
The Bendigo Braves under-14 team: Riley Bouwmeester, Ned Carr, Ben Collins, Ethan Cunningham, Dyson Daniels, Levi Geyer, Dane Keuken, Dylan McCauley, Isaac Murphy, Dion Symons and Lachlan Wilson.
Admission for Sunday’s game involving the Braves Legends and Under-14 stars will be $5 or gold coin donation.