Stars of Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) and Melbourne Stars Big Bash League Club will soon play and coach in the Latrobe Valley under new partnership agreement.
The excitement kicks off next month when all eight NBL teams play two games each at the Traralgon Sports Stadium. The three-day pre-season tournament runs from September 7 to 9.
The region will then be treated to world class cricket when the Melbourne Stars take on the Hobart Hurricanes in a men’s Big Bash pre-season match under lights in Traralgon on Friday 15 December.
Under the partnership, the Stars will bring some of the best T20 cricketers in Australia to the Latrobe Valley, including Glenn Maxwell and Meg Lanning, to help build upon an already strong cricket foundation in the region.
The events are being delivered as part of the Government’s Latrobe Valley Sports and Community Initiative – an $85 million investment in sports and community infrastructure, events and associated support programs.
As well as significant upgrades to local sporting infrastructure, the initiative forges an alliance between the Government and elite Melbourne-based sporting clubs to bring major events to the Latrobe Valley.
While they’re in the region, the teams will work with local clubs to share their expertise, with school children also benefitting from a range of coaching clinics and other activities.
The Latrobe Valley Authority is working with the NBL to maximise these outreach opportunities across the region and to develop content for community clinics, covering topics such as healthy eating, sports skills and respect.
Each of the NBL teams will hold clinics with school children in centres such as Sale, Warragul, Traralgon and Morwell.
The Melbourne Stars will also deliver a range of community engagement activities with schools and local cricket clubs throughout the greater Latrobe Valley region to promote physical activity, health and wellbeing as well as the next generation of cricketers and fans.
The events are part of the Government’s plans to boost jobs in the Valley, with a busy major events schedule bringing visitors to the region, and upgraded sporting facilities and stadiums creating new jobs.