Basketball: In a major coup for Australian basketball, the Australian men’s and women’s teams will play 24 games against China over the next four years – in Perth and China.
Basketball: In a major coup for Australian basketball, the Australian men’s and women’s teams will play 12 games against China in Perth over the next four years – on top of a further 12 games in China.
Basketball Australia announced on Wednesday a four-year collaboration agreement with the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) that will see regular games between Australia and China – underpinned by funding from the West Australian Government.
The new partnership will tip off with the Sino-Australia Challenge in June this year – a four-game series between the Australian Men and the Chinese Men’s National Team as preparations step-up for the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.
The Sino-Australia Challenge will see Perth host the opening two games, with the series to conclude with two games in China.The series will also see newly-appointed Australian Head Coach Andrej Lemanis take charge of the men’s national team for first time.
Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Kristina Keneally said the new partnership with the CBA was a major development for basketball’s high performance program.
"After so many memorable moments at the 2012 London Olympic Games, the Sino-Australia Challenge represents an opportunity for the Boomers to build on this momentum as we draw closer to the 2014 FIBA World Cup,” Ms Keneally said.
"The Sino-Australia Challenge will also tip-off regular competition between the two countries at all levels from the Boomers and Jayco Opals through to our Under 17 and Under 19 teams – which will be a boon for our national team programs.
“The Perth basketball community is made up of some of the most passionate sporting fans in the country, turning out in huge numbers to support the Perth Wildcats this past season.
“I have no doubt we’ll see those same fans cheering on the Boomers at Perth Arena on Friday 7 June in a sea of green and gold.
”The Sino-Australia Challenge tips off with a bang at Perth Arena for Game One on Friday 7 June, with the home of the Perth Wildcats expected to attract a bumper crowd. Action then moves to the Western Australian State Basketball Centre for Game Two on Sunday 9 June. The series concludes in China, with Game Three on Wednesday 12 June and the series finale on Friday 14 June.
The Australian men will have a training camp in Perth from Sunday June 2 in the build-up to the series.
Basketball Australia
