25th June 2009

Athletes in the South West Academy of Sport’s basketball program continue to dominate selection to State teams, with a large group of SWAS players chosen to represent Western Australia at the upcoming national championships in Tasmania.

SWAS basketball players make up a staggering 60 per cent of the country men’s team that will vie for national honours at the Under 16 Australian Junior Basketball Championships at Ulverstone in July.

This follows the strong representation SWAS had at the U18 Australian Basketball Championships at Gawler in April where 16 of the 20 players in the Western Australian country teams had scholarships with the academy.

Congratulating the athletes on their achievements, SWAS development coach Steve Hawkins said the number of players chosen to participate in the championships reflected the quality of basketball programs in the region.

“SWAS scholarship players Dena English and Ellie Deighton have been joined in the women’s team by Basketball South West prep players Brittany Gliddon and Laura Jeffrey to take on the best players in Australia at the nationals,” he said.

“The quartet will be key players if the State country team is to be successful. They all play for the Slammers Under 16s team in the junior State League which is coached by development coach Tony Fimmano.

“Current SWAS scholarship players Jarrad Watson, Damian Lee, Carey Watkins and Connor Bradbury along with SWAS prep players Beau Chinnery and Dylan Ness make up 60 per cent of the Under 16 men’s team.

“This group of players has been working hard with experienced development coaches Greg and Treena Worthington on Monday nights to lift their skill level to the required level for the nationals.”