Orbost local, Noah Christy, who plays in the Maffra Basketball Association, has been recognised as one of country Victoria’s elite under 14 boys in the Basketball Victoria Country (BVC) Regional Academy Program and invited to the Gold Nugget Camp, to be conducted at Ballarat from September 26 to 28.

The best performers at the camp will be picked for selection to the 2019 Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup (ACJBC) and the 2018 Southern Cross Challenge (SCC).

“The Gold Nugget Camp is one of the most important camps in Victoria Country’s basketball pathway,” BVC participation coordinator, Craig Hockley, said.

“The camp has seen a number of athletes over the years step up and announce themselves and ultimately the opportunity to represent Vic Country at a National Competition is a great motivating factor.

“All athletes have spent the winter as part for the BVC Regional Academy and have made it through to the final selection.”

The Regional Academy focuses on skill development with a 20-week program that also includes two camps in the athlete’s local regional area.

Around 40 coaches have also been selected to attend the Gold Nugget Camp and this is an important part of coach development for country Victoria.

“An important part of the BVC pathway is developing the next level of coaches and this camp provides that opportunity,” Hockley said.

“The camp is a learning environment and coaches will be challenged as well.
“It is all about providing the ground work to be successful or continue on the pathway.”

In this age group, Vic Country will send 40 boys and 40 girls to the ACJBC and another 40 boys and 40 girls to Melbourne for the SCC, with both events to be held in January 2019.

Matthew Dellavedova, who now plays for Australia and the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA, attended the 2002 Gold Nugget Camp and won gold for Victoria Country’s under 14 boys at the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup in 2003.