Youngsters have a ball with touring Breakers

BASKETBALL
Nadia Elers couldn't have been happier.
There she was, mixing it up with members of the New Zealand Breakers team, gaining a few new skills.
The 9-year-old Otonga Primary School pupil, who represents Rotorua at under-11 level, was among about 150 excited local children and parents who went to a junior skills clinic yesterday run by the Breakers as part of their pre-season tour of the North Island.
They play the first of three games against Athletes In Action, a touring team made up of top players from United States colleges, in Rotorua tonight.
While here, the Breakers are sharing a few skills and drills with some of the city's budding young basketball stars.
Nadia, who "loves everything about basketball", said it was "pretty cool" being coached by the Breakers and was a great experience for her.
"I want to learn some new moves," she said.
Nadia will be a keen watcher at tonight's game in Rotorua, which she's attending with her three best friends.
Among the Breakers helping out yesterday was development player Alex Pledger, happy to pass on a few tips to the keen youngsters in attendance.
"We'll try and teach them a few skills," he said.

Breakers general manager Richard Clarke said the tour was a chance for the Breakers to go to places where they received plenty of support but hadn't played before.
"The tour presents a great opportunity for the players to work together ahead of our pre-season tournament in Darwin and the first game in the NBL on September 24," he said.
"We hope to attract good crowds to our games with Athletes In Action but we will also visit many schools and work with hundreds of children in each of Rotorua, Hawke's Bay and Porirua while away."
 North Harbour forward BJ Anthony was yesterday named as a late addition to the Breakers' roster for this week's pre-season tour of the North Island.
Coach Andrej Lemanis said the tour would be a good chance to evaluate Anthony, who was called up as injury cover.
"We have always seen BJ as a talented player," Lemanis said.
Anthony had impressed with his work in training in the past few weeks.
"We have a couple of injury niggles, so this tour is a good chance to bring BJ into the group and get a better feel for him as a player and a part of the team."
After their match in Rotorua, the Breakers play the US team again in Hawke's Bay tomorrow and in Porirua on Friday.
additional reporting NZPA
* Tonight's game at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre starts at 7pm. Get tickets from the centre or at www.ticketmaster.co.nz. Door sales are available, with entry $10 for adults and $5 for children.