The Vibe3on3™ has been on the road again, bringing the hugely popular travelling basketball and hip hop challenge to two communities over the past two months – Mildura in Victoria and Coonamble in NSW.
This is the sixth time that the 3on3 has been to Mildura – one of the most successful locations for the event. Held at the Mildura Basketball Stadium on the weekend of July 29 and 30, the Mildura 3on3 saw a massive 70 teams registering to take part in 3on3 basketball, dance classes and other fun activities.
Three Aboriginal sporting legends were on hand as role models, to offer support and encouragement to participants. Champion hurdler Kyle Vander-Kuyp, Olympic gold-medallist Nova Peris and AFL star Dean Rioli spent the weekend getting to know people from the local community, as well as greeting visitors from the surrounding areas of Dareton, Buronga, Wentworth, Robinvale, Coomealla and Swan Hill.
“It’s the sixth time we’ve been back to Mildura for the 3on3 and just like in previous years, it was another outstanding success,” said Claude Williams, Black Diamond and 3on3 coordindator. “Mildura never ceases to amaze us with their talent and enthusiasm, not only in basketball but also breakdancing, and beat boxing in particular.
“They really do capture the essence of what this event is all about.”
Other guests at the event included Mildura’s Deputy Mayor John Arnold, and the Hon Barry Bishop MLC, Member for North Western Province. The Welcome to Country was performed by Myra Grinter on behalf of Latjelatje people, and Dance Together gave a special performance.
“There’s a magic that exists at the Vibe 3on3™ and the Sunraysia district,” Claude said. “That’s the reason we’ve conducted the event there more than in any other location in Australia.”
The Coonamble 3on3 was also a great success, with the community really pulling together to make the event a truly memorable one. Held at the Coonamble Basketball Stadium on the weekend of August 19 and 20, the opening ceremony featured a Welcome to Country by Eric Fernando on behalf of Gamilaroi/Weiwan people, and speech by Councillor David Taylor from the Coonamble Shire Council.
Participants from the local area were joined by visitors from Gulargambone, Bourke, Dubbo, Wellington and Gilgandra.
“The Coonamble community once again supported the Vibe 3on3,” Claude said after the event. “There were thirteen local sponsors – a 3on3 record – who were on board to help ensure the local youth experienced a weekend of fun and entertainment they won’t forget for some time.
“It was great to see kids from out of town gel so well with the locals, both on and off the courts. Participants from as far as Dubbo and Bourke attended, with the long haul being well worth the effort.”
The Vibe 3on3™ is a two day Aboriginal youth weekend festival that incorporates basketball, dancing, art, culture and health. We aim to promote healthy lifestyles, strengthen communities and boost self-esteem. The Vibe 3on3™ is also an excellent opportunity for health services and related organisations to introduce themselves to the wider community. For more information, go to www.vibe.com.au
The Vibe 3on3™ would not be possible without our sponsors Rio Tinto Aboriginal Foundation, the Department of Health and Ageing through the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts and the Alcohol Rehabilitation and Education Foundation.
Local sponsors who helped make the 3on3 possible in their area were the Mildura Aboriginal Corporation, the Mallee Sports Assembly the Mildura Aboriginal Health Service and the Lencia Fruit Company in Mildura, and Assai Culture Driven Projects, Apt Business Solutions/Improvements, Murdi Paaki Enterprise, Al’s Castlereagh Diner, Joe’s Quality Meats, the Halsara Aboriginal Building Company, AJF Briens & Sons, the Coonamble Local Aboriginal Lands Council, the Ellimatta Housing Aboriginal Corporation, ATR Accounting, the Coonamble Shire Council, Lions Club and Rotary Club in Coonamble.
WINNERS
- Boys U10
Red Bulls
Kye Baker
Andrew Wallace
Mathew Fernando
Presenter: Angela Sidati - Boys U12
All Blacks
Braidon Burns
Kenneth Burns
Jy Dixon
Jessie Ramien
Presenter: Luke Carroll - Boys U14
Black Magic
Phillip Fernando
Jade Lee
Adam Murphy
Jake Fernando
Presenter: Kristy Pearson - Boys U16
Makaveli Mafia
Danny Anderson
Fred Stanley
Blake Ferguson
Kenneth Everson
Presenter: Gabrielle Ramsey - Girls U10
Angels
Tylah Power
Kylah Fernando
Mardie Baker
Nakia Robinson
Presenter: Wok Wright - Girls U12
Chiks
Mekala Arrowsmith
Brittany Arrowsmith
Hannah McMohan
Shanikka Smith
Presenter: Wayne Fernando - Girls U14
Coonamble Bouncers
Tanarla Boney
Thelma Boney
Kirrilly Forest
Maree Jackson
Presenter: Collin McMullin
Organisation: Coonamble Steering Committee - Girls U16
Wello Girls
Paige Newman
Evie Willie
Tara Stanley
Chantelle May
Presenter: Roby Delany - Girls U18
Gular Girls
Jade Hammond
Katrina Reid
Rikki Hammond
Elizabeth Wright
Presenter: April Alderton - Team Card
Wello Girls
Paige Newman
Evie Willie
Tara Stanley
Chantelle May
Presenter: Abie Wright - My Story
Teigan Elemes
Presenter: Mandy Fernando - Boys Breakoff
1. Bruce Carr
2. Hayden Wood
3. Robert Sampson
Presenter: Isaac Parsons - Girls Breakoff
1. Chantelle Bay
2. Kirralee Forest/Tanara Boney
3. Michelle Robertson - Puggy Hunter
Chantelle Bay
Presenter: Claude Williams
Comments are closed.