A TEAM representing the South Sudanese Australian Basketball Association (SSANBA) will be one of the opponents, when the Bendigo Braves have their first serious hit-out ahead of the inaugural NBL1 season this weekend.
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Dandenong-based Red Roo will be one of seven visiting men’s and women’s teams in Bendigo on Saturday for the Bendigo Braves Pre-season Cup at Bendigo Stadium.
The inaugural Cup tournament will also feature six teams from the newly formed NBL1 competition.
The appearance of Red Roo in the men's draw comes three months after Bendigo Stadium Limited extended an olive branch to the SSANBA, which went public with its struggles to find venues for two of the league’s showcase tournaments, in the wake of negative coverage of ‘African youth issues’ in the metropolitan media.
BSL general manager of sport Ben Harvey hailed the tournament appearance of Red Roo as the beginning of a new and great relationship promoting inclusiveness in sport in Bendigo.
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“Last year Bendigo Stadium Limited, reached out to the South Sudanese Australian National Basketball Association with the offer to compete in the Bendigo Braves Pre-season Cup,” he said.
“ With this presented the opportunity to compete on the new world class show court which holds a capacity of 40 00 people.
“What a fantastic opportunity to showcase some of the best young talent in the country.
“Bendigo Stadium is thrilled to stamp a new event for the Bendigo people and can’t wait to see the community support, as this will determine future multi-team tournaments hosted at the Bendigo Stadium.”
“The 2019 Bendigo Braves Pre-season Cup will be the first of many to come and a great opportunity to see the Braves before the start of the official NBL1 season.
Harvey hoped the SSANBA presence would mark the beginning of a great relationship promoting inclusiveness in sport in Bendigo.
Bendigo Stadium has already been flagged as a potential venue for the 2019 SSANBA Summer Slam, later this year.
Red Roo sport director James Kerr said the club was grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to Saturday.
The tournament will be the first competitive hit-outs for the Braves men, under new coach David Hogan, and the 2018 national champion Braves women, under second-year coach Megan Moody.
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The Braves women have retained many of their championship winning stars from the final SEABL season, including WNBL championship players Gabe Richards and Kelly Wilson, and Bendigo Spirit star Nadeen Payne.
They have also added Australian Opals guard Tessa Lavey and signed gun Spirit import Becca Tobin, who will join the team during the season at the completion of her European commitments.
Tobin is currently contracted to German club Rutronik Stars Keltern.
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Saturday’s matches will be played on four courts from noon. Entry to the stadium is free.
Confirmed teams for the weekend are:
Men's: Braves, Ringwood Hawks, Albury-Wodonga Bandits, Red Roo.
Women's: Braves, Albury-Wodonga bandits, Knox Raiders, Victoria Country representative team.
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