The biggest ever Foot Locker Australian Schools Championships will tip off on the Gold Coast next week.
A record 216 teams, up 30 on last year, and more than 2000 players will take to the courts of three venues from Monday December 2 to Friday December 6 contesting under-20, under-17 and under-15 age-groups to determine the 2024 champions.
The championships will begin with the opening ceremony on Sunday afternoon with games then played across Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with finals and classifications games on Thursday and Friday before the closing ceremony and medal ceremony on Friday afternoon.
And there’ll be plenty of festivities with food trucks, Boost Juice will ensure players and spectators alike are hydrated and happy, a DJ will keep vibes high and Dre Cook, Mitch Norton, Tohi Smith-Milner & Emmett Naar from the Brisbane Bullets will be around on Monday for a meet & greet.
While stars of the future will take to the courts, greats of the past will be coaching teams from right around the country.
Rowville Secondary College have two Olympians in charge of their teams with Adam Gibson (London, 2012) and Tall Ferns and triple WNBL champion Micaela Cocks (Beijing, 2008) taking the coaching reins of their boys and girls teams.
Former Opal Allison Tranquilli, part of Australian basketball’s first Olympic medal in 1996, will coach the Templestowe College Under-17 Division 1 women’s team and assist former NBL coach Ian Stacker in guiding the Under-20 men’s Division 1 team.
Emma McDonald, nee Randall, made history with the Opals in 2006 winning the country’s first senior gold medal and will be at the helm of John Paul College’s Championship Women.
Former NBL and WNBL players also coaching include Anthony Petrie, Kerryn Mitchell and Brent Hobba.
There’ll also be the chance for professional growth and learnings when Australian swimming coach Dean Boxall addresses the Coaches Seminar at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre on Monday night.
Footlocker Australian Schools Championships, Gold Coast
Monday December 2 to Friday December 6, 2024
Watch: KommunityTV
Fixtures: BA Competitions
Live Stats: Competitions at Australian Schools Championships - GameDay (mygameday.app)
