The Maitland Mustangs will deliver a $2.5 million boost to the city's economy when they host the Australian under-14 national basketball championship later this month.
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Maitland and Newcastle basketball associations will combine to host the titles bringing the boys and girls championships together for the first time.
Recently appointed Maitland Basketball Association general manager Graeme Cotton said securing the tournament was a coup for the region, with more than 48 teams from across Australia to take part in the championships which run from September 26 to October 1.
Cotton said Maitland would host the majority of matches with three courts in action daily at Maitland Federation Centre over the six-day event.
Newcastle will run two courts and host the closing ceremony, with Maitland hosting the opening ceremony on September 26.
“The under-14 nationals is the largest junior basketball tournament in Australia,” Cotton said.
“The tourism impact summary report provided by Newcastle City Council outlines a direct spend of $4.3 million throughout the Hunter region for the event primarily in the areas of accommodation and hospitality.
“Of that Maitland is expected to attract about $2.5 million with 5000 people expected to come to the city for the week.”
Cotton said from a sporting point of view, the tournament would provide excellent basketball for fans.
“The best young players from across Australia will be taking part. Players like Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova and others from the Boomers, as well as Opals stars Lauren Jackson and Newcastle’s Suzy Batkovic, Jenni Screen have taken part,” he said.
“As a team tournament, there will be opportunities for a lot of other younger players to take part and shine.”
Cotton said as hosts Maitland would field an under-14 girls team, with Newcastle hosting a boys side and an under-14 team which qualified through the state competitions.
“It’s a very exciting opportunity for these young players and we’re very proud of them,” he said.
Cotton said there had been a resurgence of interest in basketball across all age groups in Maitland.
He said this would be further strengthened with the appointment of Trevor Gallagher to the new role of development manager taking the basketball programs to schools in the Maitland region.
“A primary school teacher by trade and a very experienced basketball development manager, Trevor comes with an impeccable record, including stints as an assistant coach with an NBL team,” Cotton said.
