By LIAM HAUSER
More than 35 talented junior basketballers converged at the Gunnedah Basketball Stadium last Saturday for the annual Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS) selection trials.
The Gunnedah contingent comprised Jett Crockett, Coen Gough, Evie Randall, Flynn Royall, William Stevenson and Henry Weinthal, while other participants came from Quirindi, Moree, Tamworth, Armidale and Glen Innes.
The selection trials involved skills, drills and matchplay, while the two age groups were U14s and U16s.
Having played basketball for a few years, Flynn said he learned some new drills last Saturday and hoped to develop his skills further.
Flynn said it was always nice to “make a team”, and to learn new things and make new friends, while he hoped to make it into a NSW Basketball program and see where it took him.
NIAS chief executive officer (CEO) Shona Eichorn said last Saturday’s occasion was about “identifying talented athletes across the region and putting them in a pathway program”.
Shona said there was a lot more to it than merely developing skills in the sport, as the mental side of things was also crucial.
Shona said aspects of the programs included sports psychology, nutrition, strength and conditioning, “to help make them a better athlete and a better person”.
“They need to be physically fit and mentally fit to handle the rigours of the sport, and need to have the right mindset and approach to the game,” she said.
“We encourage them to play with intensity and have fire in the belly (when) on the court, but to be a humble person off the court.”
Shona said the youngsters were also encouraged to help with coaching and mentoring after they exited the program.
Gunnedah Basketball secretary Jody King said it was vital to focus not only on the sport but the people as well.
“The idea is when the kids finish, they’ve learned some lifelong skills including mentoring and leading,” she said. “The kids shouldn’t be disheartened if they’re not selected.
“It’s all a learning opportunity.”
Jody said the selectors looked at how the youngsters handled feedback, and how they dealt with their mental health and looked after their bodies.
“Being humble and being resilient helps them be a better player, and helps the team be better,” she said.
Upcoming events for the players selected for the NIAS include an induction at Lake Keepit on November 10, with guest speakers coming from Sydney and Melbourne.
Gunnedah basketballers Jett Crockett, Flynn Royall and Henry Weinthal (back), and Coen Gough, William Stevenson and Evie Randall (front) at last Saturday’s NIAS selection trials.
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