Rockets Rookies & Cyclone Kids Rockhampton Basketball invites all Grade 1, 2, & 3 students to become a Rocket Rookie or Cyclone Kid as part of our 8 week Learn to Play programs. Participants will develop basic basketball fun-damentals through a series of drills, mini games, and 5 on 5 basketball, working with Development Officer Matt Neason and guest coaches including Rockets and Cyclone Players. The Rockets Rookies program (B more -->

Rockets & Cyclones PS FUN-Ball Camp Come and experience all the fun and excitement of Basketball these School Holidays as part of the Rockets and Cyclones Fun-Ball Camp. As part of the Camp participants will learn the tricks of the trade from all the Rockets and Cyclones players in a FUN safe environment. The emphasis for the day is ‘Skill, Fun & Play’. more -->

U8's Aussie Hoops Program Aussie Hoops is coming to Rocky. The Aussie Hoops program is an Australia wide initiative that has help introduced over 400,000 children to the sport of Basketball. The essence of the Aussie Hoops program is FUN with the program using a game sense approach, letting kids experience the skills of basketball while playing a series of games. Basketball Queensland Development Officer Blair Smith wil more -->

JUNIOR SIGN ON DAY Fri 24th April 2009 4.00pm-6.00pm more -->

U10 Easter FUN-Ball Camp! Please find attached a flyer for our 2009 U10's Easter FUN-Ball Camp, which will be running on Thurs 16th of April from 9.00am-1.00pm. The camp caters for players of all abilities and is open for Grade 1, 2, 3, & 4 students. As part of the camp participants will experience 4 hours of Basketball Fun, as well as taking home some cool handouts including a $5.00 McDonalds Voucher. more -->

Motel 98 QBL Blitz more -->

Stadium NIghtclub Rockets Sign Reggie Golson Rockhampton Basketball Incorporated has pleasure in announcing that American Reggie Golson will take up the final restricted player spot with the Stadium Nightclub Rockets for the upcoming 2009 season.

Rockets Coach Neal Tweedy stated, “There has been a high degree of difficulty in the recruitment of the team this year in that we have had quite a large turnover of players due to eligibility a more -->

Cyclones Sign Leah Rush Rockhampton Basketball Incorporated has pleasure in announcing that American forward Leah Rush will take the final restricted player spot on the Hog’s Breath Café Cyclones roster for the 2009 QBL season.

RBI Operations Manager, Jamie Boon said, “Leah Rush was pretty important to the composition of thy Cyclones roster for this season in that she can cover a couple of positions which gives the g more -->

Justin Brown joins Stadium Nightclub Rockets Rockhampton Basketball Incorporated has pleasure in announcing that former NBL Big Man, Justin Brown will join the Stadium Nightclub Rockets for the upcoming 2009 season.

RBI Operations Manager, Jamie Boon said, “Justin Brown who stands at 213 centimetres or 7 foot in the old scale, will play the 5 spot for the Rockets and will be an ominous presence in the paint, put simply he will be an enormous asset for the team. Justin is a student of the game and brings a wealth of experience with him having played professionally in Australia, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, China and is also a graduate of the acclaimed University of Connecticut (UConn) who actually won a NCAA Championship in 1999”.

“Part of Justin’s role this year with the Rockhampton Rockets will be applying his knowledge to some of our up and coming young guys – particularly the big kids who want to pursue basketball in the future. Justin has a degree in Communication Sciences and Sociology and is currently undertaking his Masters in Sports Coaching – he will do some work with Mathew Neason our Development Officer on the education of junior coach’s and obviously the young athletes”.

Rockets Coach Neal Tweedy stated, “The composition of this years team has been challenging given the difficulties we have faced with the retirement of Darren Richardson and Paul Scott. Add to that Rhys Martin and Stephen Weigh both reclassified as restricted players and to top it off the unavailability of Saulius Dumbliauskas whose team in Sweden looks like winning the Championship, Ryan McDade who will stay in the US in his off season and Ben Thompson who has come out of retirement only to relocate to play in Perth. With all that being said we have now acquired Justin Brown who will be fantastic for us in our league”.

“There haven’t been too many 7 footers that have played in our league and we are fortunate enough to pick up an Australian guy who has been all over the world plying his basketball trade. His knowledge and experience from the AIS, US College system with U Conn along with his professional stints in some very good leagues gives us plenty to look forward to this season”.

“We saw Justin play here in Rocky around 18 months ago and I think he will fit into our program nicely. The crowd should love his athleticism and his ability to block shots, ability to score while dominating in the middle. I am excited by his signing and look forward to him re-uniting with former Bullets team mate Rhys Martin, throw Jason Aucoin into the mix and we are not far off where we need to be”.

Justin Brown commenting on his new club stated “I have played in Rockhampton previously and I know that the fans there really love their basketball. I look forward to heading back to Australia and assisting the Rockets in their defence of the State Title. Having played with Rhys Martin previously I have kept in contact with him and he has heaped praise on the program and the town – it’s hard not to get excited about joining a program that strives for success”.

Justin Brown last played in Australia for the Southern Districts Spartans in the SEABL competition in 2008 and averaged 19 points and 13 rebounds. Brown is expected to arrive in Rockhampton a fortnight prior to the commencement of the QBL. more -->

Rockets Rookies & Cyclone Kids Interested in becomming a Junior Rocket or Cyclone?

If you're in Grade 2, 3 or 4, Rockhampton Basketball have two great programs to set you on your way to becomming a future Rocket or Cyclone. The Rocket Rookies (boys) and Cyclone Kids (girls) are eight week 'learn to play' programs designed to teach young-stars basic Basketball FUN-damentals and rules in a series of drills, mini-games, and modified 5 on 5. Not only do participants get 8 weeks of action packed Basketball, they also get a number of handouts to take home with them, including their very own Basketball. For more information on these programs, please download a registration form or phone Devleopment Officer Matt Neason on (07) 4922 5544. more -->

Rockets & Cyclones Christmas Holidays FUN-Ball Rockhampton Basketball would like to invite YOU to come down and experience all the fun & excitement of Basketball these holidays as part of our ‘FUN-Ball Clinics’. The clinics are open for children in Grades 1-7 and cater for players of all levels, ranging from absolute beginners to representative players. You will learn the basic skills of the game, and get an opportunity to test those skills in a series of mini games, shoot out competitions, & modified 5 on 5 Basketball. The Clinic will be hosted by RBI Development Officer Matt Neason, and will also include some special guest coaches.
There will be a bunch of prizes given away throughout the day and all participants will take home a number of handouts including a $5.00 McDonaldsTM voucher. more -->

Rhys Martin Remains a Rocket Rockhampton Basketball Incorporated has pleasure in announcing that National Championship winning point guard, Rhys Martin will return to the Stadium Nightclub Rockets for the upcoming 2009 season.

RBI Operations Manager, Jamie Boon, said, “Securing Rhys Martin was one of our highest priorities as we build towards the defence of our State Title. Rhys was voted to be one of the top 5 players in our league and was pivotal in our National Championship success”.

“He arrived at our club at the start of last season with several goals, a State Title, a National Title and spot on the roster of an NBL team – he succeeded in all of his goals. We are probably yet to see the best of Rhys and I am confident that the experience that he is currently gaining with the Wollongong Hawks will once again benefit our program enormously and assist us in putting a quality outfit on the floor next season”.

Rhys Martin said, “Returning to Rockhampton was always a priority for me, the support we received from the sponsors and corporate partners in addition to the way Rockhampton fans get behind the team makes it a very easy decision to make. I anticipate that the Rockets will once again be a force at home and look forward to once again be playing in front of the best crowd in the competition.

Rockets coach Neal Tweedy stated, “Rhys has been a standout in the competition over the past two years and as the league leader in steals and gaining an All Star Selection he brings a tremendous amount of ability, enthusiasm and experience to our team. One of the hidden benefits is that Mitch Philp will workout extensively with Rhys which will do wonders for his growth as a player which in turns strengthens our program”.

Tweedy added, “The composition of our team will be a little different from previous years however the retention of Rhys has us placed very well as we move towards next season”.

Rhys Martin is currently playing 16 minutes a game for the Wollongong Hawks and accumulating 4.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal a game and will take the first of the restricted spots on the Rockets roster. more -->

RBI Annual General Meeting Annual General Meeting
Rockhampton Basketball Inc
To be held at Hegvold Stadium
on Thursday 11th December 2008
at 6.30pm.
All Committee members and Financial
persons are asked to attend.
Nominations are invited for positions
on the Management Committee.
These close Thursday 27th November
2008 and can be emailed to:
rbi@irock.com.au
or posted to:
The Secretary
PO Box 648, Rockhampton Q 4700
For more information,
please phone 4922 5544 more -->

Senior Registrations Summer Season Registrations Overdue

Summer Season Registrations have now been overdue for a number of weeks. On the most part, players within our association have done the right thing and tidied up any outstanding amounts. That being said, there are still some players whose registrations remain part paid or unpaid. The administration has been handing out forfeits to any team playing unregistered players which has had an impact on the ladder positions of a number of teams.

Please note, the RBI’s preference is not to hand out forfeits but rather to have teams compete for match points every time they take the floor. To ensure this, as of next week (Mon 1st Dec-Wed 3rd Dec) any player with outstanding amounts on their Registration will not be allowed to take the court. This is also a directive from Basketball Queensland. Registrations are vital to keeping local associations running, as well as insuring you are covered in the case of potential injuries acquired through the sport.

If you have any queries on your own membership status or on that of members of your team please don’t hesitate to call Matt Neason on (07) 4922 5544 to clarify. more -->

Season Tickets on Sale Season Tickets will go on sale to the general public for the 2009 ABA season at 9.00am Monday the 17th November. Existing season ticket holders will be afforded the opportunity to purchase their tickets from Wednesday 12th November form 9.00am. more -->

Rockets Mentor Again National Championship Winning Coach, Neal Tweedy has accepted the role Head Coach of the Stadium Nightclub Rockets for his 11th season. more -->