The Geelong Supercats Under 14 girls basketball team has been awarded a $3,000 grant from the Australian Government to support them when they travel to Adelaide to compete against the best teams throughout the country at the Australian Club Championships in October of this year.

Mr Richard Marles, Federal Member for Corio was on hand to announce the grant at Sunday’s SEABL Geelong Supercats game against the Dandenong Rangers.  Marles said, “Young athletes and their families, particularly those from regional areas, can often find it difficult to meet the significant costs associated with participation at major sporting competitions.”

The Local Sporting Champions program is an Australian Government initiative designed to provide financial assistance for young people aged 12-18 towards the cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment when competing at an endorsed state, national or international sporting championships such as a national championship.

Basketball Geelong CEO, Andrew Scotford said, “These girls are our future Geelong Lady Supercats or even our next Australian Opals and it is fantastic that the Australian Government provides this support to our young athletes and their families to assist them in competing at the elite level.” 

The Geelong Under 14 girls basketball team won the right to compete at the National Championship after winning the Victorian Club Championship in Ballaratin April.  Geelong now has claim to the best group of Under 14 girls basketballers in Country Victoria.  As a result of winning these Championships the team will represent Geelong and all of Country Victoria against the best teams in the country at the Australian Club Championships in Morphett Vale, Adelaide from October 1^st to 6^th.