ABOUT 40 keen streetballers spent Saturday slam-dunking at the Whangarei Streetball Tournament at the Kensington netball courts. The brainchild of Forum North events organiser Stuart Challis, the tournament of a "street" style of basketball attracted players from around the district for the youth-oriented event in the Endless Summer Festival. "I've been involvedin basketball in Northland for a while, and thought that a tournament like this would be a good way of encouraging the youth in the outdoor-focused festival," Mr Challis said. Six senior teams and two junior teams of about five players took part in five games of 15 minutes. The warm temperatures on Saturday left many players gasping for breath. "I thought 15 minutes would be short enough for each game, but it was a pretty warm day on Saturday," Mr Challis said. Participants and spectators had a good day, and - much to his delight - "we only had one sprained ankle". The winning team in both the senior and junior events won the portable basketball hoops they were playing on. As well, one team won a ``lucky draw' for the third. Oscar Foreman, NZ Breakers and Harbour Heat player, was on hand to give out his expert tips. "It was great that the kids were able to challenge themselves against him and learn from the best," Mr Challis said. And the tournament should be back in business in 2009. "I'd love to do it again next year."
