Basketball star and Melbourne United shooting guard Daniel Dillon shared sporting tips with students at Moe South Street Primary School during a visit to the Latrobe Valley today.
Daniel visited Gippsland ahead of the National Basketball League’s pre-season Blitz, a three-day tournament from September 7 to 9, during which all eight NBL teams will play two games each at the Traralgon sports stadium.
“It’s great to get out into Gipppsland and the Latrobe Valley and to meet all these young aspiring basketballers,” Daniel said.
“We are really excited that all of the NBL teams will be here to showcase the best Australian basketball has to offer, not just during the Blitz but through all of our school and community clinics.
“It’s a great opportunity for the Latrobe Valley region to get a taste of NBL and we hope to have them convert to Melbourne United fans – if they’re not already – so they can come and watch us play during the upcoming season.”
The NBL Blitz will be hosted by Latrobe City Council and funded through the Victorian 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 State Government and elite Melbourne-based sporting clubs to bring major events to the Latrobe Valley.
“This is a great opportunity for local people to watch world-class basketball and learn from the best,” Latrobe Valley Authority chief executive officer, Karen Cain, said.
“Having all eight NBL clubs here for the NBL Blitz will not only boost our economy through the increase in regional and interstate visitors it brings, it also will build capacity among our clubs and students in Gippsland.”
While they’re in the region, Australia’s top basketball coaches and players will run community clinics for local students, clubs and coaches in Churchill, Morwell, Warragul, Sale and Traralgon, sharing their skills, forging relationships and building local capacity.
Among those participating in the clinics are 85 students from Moe South Street Primary School, spanning grades three to six.
The NBL clubs also will work with social organisations to improve health and educational outcomes in the greater Latrobe region.
The Latrobe Valley Authority is working with the NBL to maximise outreach opportunities across the region and to develop content for community clinics, which will cover topics such as healthy eating, sports skills and respect.
Buy your tickets for the NBL Blitz – landing.nbl.com.au/blitz17/