Basketball: State trials welcomed

Albany Basketball Association vice-president Rob Whalley believes Basketball WA’s decision to hold a State trial in Albany earlier this month proved the region has an abundance of untapped talent.

Basketball WA held its first ever under-16 State trial at Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre on December 4 and revealed this week 12 players had been selected in preliminary WA Country squads.

Whalley said such a positive result highlighted the work coaches put into Raiders development squads and the need to hold regional trials in Albany more regularly.

Selected players meet in Perth early next year for a camp with their metropolitan counterparts as part of an ongoing selection process.

Final squads of 12 players are expected to be announced in April before competing at the Australian Under-16 Championships in Victoria next July.

State under-16 country girl’s coach Rob Tagliaferri, who is based in Kalgoorlie, said he had always wanted to bring trials to Albany.

“I think it’s a real positive we can do these sorts of things,” he said.

“We’ve got to figure out we are not separate regions, we are all from country WA and it is about sharing the knowledge, learning from each other and getting better at basketball as a whole.

“From my perspective I would love to come back and hold trials again. It definitely attracts interest and gives kids in the Great Southern an opportunity.”

Tagliaferri could not confirm whether the trials would visit Albany again.

Basketball WA chief executive Rick Smith was not available for comment on the future of regional trials, although the Albany Advertiser understands Geraldton is set to host them next year after missing out in 2010.

Trials were also held in Collie, Kalgoorlie and Esperance.

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