Rise in teams as basketball growth continues

The growth of basketball in the region has continued with the Albany Basketball Association announcing an increase in the total number of teams for its upcoming 2016-17 season, for the fourth consecutive year.

After the ABA increased by 29 teams over three seasons to reach 175 last season, a further surge has seen the total number of teams grow to 189 this season.

The news comes despite the men’s A-grade competition losing one team to go back to seven, while the women’s A-grade is back to six teams compared with the eight-team competition they had last season.

There are again large numbers in the primary school age groups, while 22 teams have nominated for the men’s B-grade across two divisions and the women’s B-grade, also spilt in two divisions, has attracted 14 teams.

Newly appointed ABA president Paul Barber, who has taken over from the longstanding Craig Tester, said it was fantastic the competition continues to rise in numbers.

“I’m excited about the year ahead,” Barber said.

“We have had another increase in numbers and the committee has worked hard in the last few years.

“I was part of the committee last year and took the position from Craig who was stepping down after a number of years and we are very grateful for what he’s done.

“We have full courts on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday’s, so we’ve had to cap it and Aussie Hoops had record participants last year and that has helped our numbers.” Barber confirmed the men’s and women’s A-grade competition would remain on Tuesday nights after a successful switch from Friday nights last season.

The men’s top-tier competition will consist of defending premiers Raiders under-18 development squad, Barking Owls, Tigers, Crabs, Ambassadors and Dugites.

They have gained Dugites, who come up after winning the last two B-grade division 1 titles, while Bearded Dragons and Denmark have been lost.

In the women’s A-grade, last season’s premiers Mystics will not field a team, along with Phoenix, Slayers and Rebels.

Panthers and Sparks are new to the top-tier women’s competition joining Flames, Magpies, Great Southern Grammar and Raiders.

The new season will begin on Monday, October 17.