Keeping participants engaged in sport provides a variety of physical, social and mental benefits. With this in mind, the transition of participants from the Vicinity Centres Aussie Hoops program to next step basketball programs at your local centre is an important consideration. In addition to the personal benefits, local centres also benefit from retaining participants.
Basketball Australia strongly endorses the transition of participants from Vicinity Centres Aussie Hoops into junior basketball programs at local associations and clubs across the country.
Local Centre Coordinators can consider the following suggestions to encourage participants to make the transition from the Vicinity Centres Aussie Hoops program in to junior basketball programs and competitions:
- Invite senior association or club players to assist with session delivery in the All-Star program, acting as role models and ambassadors for next step programs;
- Invite the association or clubs junior coach to speak with participants and parents of the All-Star program to educate them on next step opportunities;
- Distribute information on behalf of the association or club; and
- If your local centre is not association or club affiliated contact the nearest club or your State or Territory Vicinity Centres Aussie Hoops contact. These people can assist with linking your program to your nearest association or club. It is important to establish a link for continuity and to identify a playing pathway for participants.