With financial support provided by the CalciYum “Kids can do big things” promotion, Deaf Basketball Australia is very pleased to be able to launch its new National Junior Development Camp program.  The first training camp is being held in QLD on Sunday February 14, 2010 at Brisbane Basketball Stadium, Dixon Rd., Auchenflower.  The camp will start at 11:00am and will finish at 2:00pm.

Deaf Basketball Australia (DBA) is the peak basketball body supporting deaf and hard of hearing basketball players, officials and supporters across the country in conjunction with various state based deaf basketball associations.  Historically this has involved tournaments such as the National Deaf Basketball Club Championships, the Australian Deaf Games, and the pinnacle of Deaf Sports, the Deaflympics. 

All of these events are targeted at senior players, and there has not been a tailored junior development program prior to the involvement of CalciYum.  DBA are very excited to be launching our National Junior Program in 2010.  The main aims of the program are to provide opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing children to enjoy the game of basketball, to help the children to understand the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, to provide opportunities for these children to meet other children and parents who are also deaf or hard of hearing, and to build relationships with associations such as yours to ensure opportunities to develop as a basketballer are available for the deaf and hard of hearing children.

DBA are asking your association to assist us in getting the word out there about the Junior Development camp.  We would ask that you place copies of our Camp brochure around your association, refer to it in your association newsletter, and promote it in any other way you can. 

The Camp is open to all deaf and hard of hearing children aged between 5 and 15, and will be run by an Australian Deaf Basketball team coach, and will also be attended by current senior Australian deaf players.  The Camp will cater to kids of any skill level, from those who have never played basketball before, to those who are playing regularly in mainstream basketball teams.  The skill level of the players is not important, it is their involvement that we are keen to see. 

Enquiries in relation to the camp, or deaf basketball in general can be made to Dave Taschke  (sms 0433 818 008) or (email at deafbballaus@yahoo.com.)

DBA thanks you very much for your support and hopes to see some deaf or hard of hearing kids from your association at the Camp in February.

Regards,

Dave Taschke

DBA President