Since 1959, the Parramatta Basketball Association (PBA) has been providing a positive outlet where kids of the Parramatta community can engage, interact and build friendships.
General Manager of PBA, Dawn Burke said that the organisation is aware of the importance of local sports and that is why they run the Young Guns competition with low fees compared to Basketball New South Wales (BNSW).
“We’re heavily community based, that’s why the fees are low and we’re not for profit,” Burke told Parra News.
“Any income is poured back into the building and association itself. We run school holiday camps and we run them for $99 for four days, you can’t even get childcare for that.”
The Young Guns League is dedicated to helping develop the talents of the young players that compete in its competition.
“Sometimes they develop here and then they go into a rep program in a club part of Basketball NSW and that’s part of our charter as we help develop the players in the area,” Burke said.
“In our view we keep the kids off the streets, give them a good healthy sport to play.”
PBA also facilitates domestic competitions and runs the Ultimate Basketball League (UBL) for senior players. The UBL was introduced by PBA in 2013 and runs in summer to allow players the opportunity to play in BNSW competitions in the winter.
PBA will be looking to run Pickleball matches in the future.
Pickleball is a low-impact, racket/paddle sport that combines elements from badminton, tennis and table tennis.
Burke said that the sport is “wonderful” because its includes everyone from the community.
“The important thing about Pickleball is that it is a much easier, competitive sport for people who may have a disability or are bound to a wheelchair,” she said.
“There are a lot of people who can’t participate in mainstream sports and Pickleball allows them to be included. We already are a wheelchair-friendly venue and we run wheelchair basketball training here… but that’s our next biggest push.”
Anyone looking to play or support the PBA should go to their website or contact them through their social media platforms.
