As a relatively new sport on the world stage, 3v3 basketball was introduced to six primary schools last year with the help of KiwiSport funding. Now that the project is complete, we had a look into how it went and what those involved got out of the set up. Heres
how 3v3 Basketball is taking off in Hawkes Bay
Everard Bartlett of EB Sports Development Ltd. put forward his KiwiSport Application early last year to establish a 3v3 basketball tournament in primary schools with the aim to provide a learning opportunity for students while being able to develop unity and cohesion when playing a co-ed sport.
Once the application was accepted, Bartlett went to work. Over the course of a term, with a team of people behind him, he delivered multiple sessions at the six schools - a total of 180 students were given the opportunity to participate - prior to the 3v3 tournament to teach the rules of the game and condition these young students for the fast-paced sport. Each team entering in the tournament was required to have at least two females which bought the participation rate to an even split between genders.
The six schools - Peterhead Primary School, Flaxmere Primary School, Bridge Pa School, Irongate Primary School, Kimiora Community School and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāti Kahungunu - all took part in the 3v3 tournament, with a total of 64 children competing on the day.
Luke Rurawhe, teacher at Peterhead School explained that children in any community need positive events to take part in, like this. "We are very lucky to have KiwiSport funding to help run these tournaments and coaching sessions. The children get a lot out of them and it helps build a positive community."
"Basketball is a very popular sport at our school and tournaments like the one Everard brought to us helps with the interest and provides extra competition for the kids," said Rurawhe. "I would say our basketball courts are the busiest part of our school grounds when the children are out playing. Everards done a fantastic job with his coaching sessions. With his experience and knowledge, he has been able to pass on those little gems compared to those who have not played at the level he has."
Bartlett, who has had a professional basketball career himself said that before he played in the NZ Mens 3x3 Basketball Team, he wasnt aware of the pathways and opportunities for the sport. Looking ahead to the future, the sport is going to be included at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which is something Bartlett believes we can bring awareness to for the next age group coming through.
"I am passionate about working with youth who have to overcome barriers that lower socio-economic communities might face," said Bartlett. "After a solid professional career in basketball, it means a lot to me to be able to give back to the children in the community where I was raised."
Bartlett has continued to deliver more, quality basketball opportunities to young children around Hawkes Bay with the help of KiwiSport funding.
- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Basketball New Zealand
As a relatively new sport on the world stage, 3v3 basketball was introduced to six primary schools last year with the help of KiwiSport funding. Now that the project is complete, we had a look into how it went and what those involved got out of the set up. Heres
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