FIBA 3X3 WORLD TOUR QUALIFIER POSTPONED

Australia’s inaugural FIBA 3x3 World Tour qualifying event which was to have been staged over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend (June 9 – 11, 2012) at the Waterfront in Geelong has had to be postponed by mutual agreement between Basketball Geelong and Basketball Australia.

3x3 is an exciting new form of the game of basketball and the sport’s international governing body, FIBA, has undertaken an ambitious timetable for the roll-out of the new format game worldwide. Despite a limited preparation period due to the required timing of the event within the global calendar, Basketball Geelong, with the support of the City of Greater Geelong, successfully bid for the right to run a qualifying event for FIBA’s new world tour.

Unfortunately after close consultation between Basketball Geelong and Basketball Australia, the difficult decision has been made to postpone the event to ensure a quality field can be assembled to meet FIBA event guidelines.

Basketball Australia have however reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the new FIBA format of 3x3 and are working with Basketball Geelong and the City of Greater Geelong to look at possible alternate dates for this 3x3 tournament or another 3x3 event next year.

Basketball Geelong Chief Executive Officer Andrew Scotford says the decision to postpone has been made to ensure that the international excitement of 3x3 in Australia will be better delivered.

“It is disappointing that the event is postponed this weekend but I am very excited about the future of 3x3 in Australia and the opportunities it presents to Geelong as the host city,” Scotford said.

“Over the last few weeks the support of local Geelong businesses and the energy of the conversations from the basketball community throughout Australia has almost got this event over the line within a very short timeframe. We will continue to work with Basketball Australia and the City of Greater Geelong to find a date on the sporting calendar suitable for a 3x3 event.”

Keep informed about our event and the new dates via the Website: http://www.3x3geelong.com, Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/3X3geelong and Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/3x3geelong

The FIBA 3x3 World Tour kicks off in Brazil in July with more information available at: http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/3x3/events/3x3-worldTour.asp.