Hoop Club Hutt Valley organised and hosted this year’s junior basketball tournament on Saturday 11. November. This all-day event proved so popular with 52 teams participating that the organisers had to book a second venue.

And what a great day for our juniors it was! We were able to send three teams: while our youngsters (8’s & under with coach Mark) played their games at St. Patricks College in Silverstream, our 10’s & under (coach Ben) as well as 14’s & under (coach Jake) scored their hoops at Walter Nash stadium in Taita. You could tell there was real excitement in the air, as some parents not only supported their kids during the games, but eagerly used their phones to keep track of our teams playing at the other venue.

Players, parents and coaches alike were very pleased with how we represented Kapiti at the tournament. It was amazing to see how the juniors applied their basketball skills in the context of a "real tournament". Players and teams lived up to the challenge particularly in some very tight games, with the deciding points scored in the final seconds. What a thrill to see our juniors growing in confidence and as a team.

Last but not least, the tournament was also a chance for the three Hoop Club New Zealand founders and coaches Angelo Robinson (Hoop Club Kapiti), Kenny McFadden (Hoop Club Wellington) and Terry Stallworth (Hoop Club Hutt Valley) to catch up (see photo below).

We would like to thank the organisers for a great event and are really looking forward to seeing you again in 2018!