The Vibe 3on3™ paid its first visit to the picturesque town of Taree on the weekend of March 4 and 5, and the team were met with an overwhelming welcome from an enthusiasm and energetic community.

The weekend was an undisputed triumph, with hordes of young people heading to Saxby’s Stadium for two days of non-stop basketball and hip hop action.

Over the two days, more than 80 teams participated in the 3on3 basketball action, as well as taking part in break dancing, beat-boxing and art and writing activities.

A new facet of the Vibe 3on3™ was also introduced at the Taree event. The Vibe Spin Out is a brand new activity involving a high-tech chocolate wheel. Participants take a spin before having to answer a question on either health, sport, drugs, alcohol, history and culture or music. Each correct answer wins the contestant a prize. The Spin Out’s premier outing was hosted by non other than the star of The Alice and Remote Area Nurse, Luke Carroll. Luke was ably assisted by cheeky cheerleader Treena Johnson.

The weekend was hosted by former Harlem Globetrotter Dwayne Cross, and featured a line-up of hot Indigenous talent, including dynamic break dancer B Boy 2 Ezy, Aboriginal rapper Brothablack and Aboriginal basketball and football legend Claude Williams.

A host of Indigenous role models were also on hand to provide encouragement, advice and a little celebrity excitement. Former St George legend Ricky Walford, South Sydney Rabbitohs’ halfback Joey Williams and Australian Opals squad member Michelle Mussellwhite all spent the weekend hanging out with the locals, swapping stories and passing on some handy sporting tips.

“It always exciting when we come to a new location and get to spend such a great weekend with the community,” said 3on3 coordinator Claude Williams. “The energy of the young people and the commitment of the parents in Taree have been extremely impressive.

“A huge thanks must be given to the local organising committee, in particular to Gary Stephen and Leonie Morecombe, who were two major reasons why we were able to bring the 3on3 to Taree and make it such a success.”

For Gavin Jones, executive producer of the Vibe 3on3™, seeing the event get off to such an enthusiastic and smooth start in a new location was just another sign of how the 3on3 continues to go from strength to strength around the country.

“The children of Taree are full of energy and fun, and it was great to watch them in action as they took to the basketball court and the dance floor,” Gavin said. “These kids really gave it their all, ensuring that our first trip to Taree was a memorable one.”

The success of the Vibe 3on3™ would not have been 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 Education and Rehabilitation Foundation.

Local sponsors who also contributed to the 3on3’s success in Taree were the Greater Taree City Council, Biripi Aboriginal Medical Centre and the Purfleet-Taree Local Aboriginal Land Council and Ngarralinyi Radio 2TLP 103.3FM.

Welcome to country – Barbara Clarke

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.

Boys U10 CHAINSAWS Matthew Taylor Jacob Muscat Nicholas Gallagher Dwayne Varagnolla Presenter: Karen Cochrane		Boys U12 TAREE WARRIORS Phillip Knight Peter Paulson Jardin Morcome Shaq Mitchell Presenter: Leone Morcome
Boys U14 TAREE CHAMPS Luke Paulson Cecil Bungie Jake Cochrane Adrian Slayter (not in picture) Presenter: Chairperson		Boys U16 NORTH COAST ALLSTARS Jhai Munro Nick Andrews Mark Nicholson Presenter: Pam Paulson
Boys U18 NO MERCY Matthew Cody Errol Clarke Kye Davis Ramone Jackson Presenter: Shane Glass		Boys Open US 3 Adam Howard Christian Davis Aries Nagy Simon Hepworth (not in picture) Presenter: Gary Stephen
Girls U10 KOORI KIDS Alissa Paulson Indiana Hamilton Kyeesha Hamilton Ali Hunt Presenter: Brothablack		Girls U12 4 LITTLE WOMEN Marinda Clarke Lenai Glass Raylene Glass Marley Marr Presenter: Bill Trewlynn, PAC
Girls U14 JUST JEALOUS Stephanie Donovan Chelsea Ball Amy Dungay Shanika Prince Presenter: Luke Carroll		Girls U18 BIRIPI TIDDAS Janita Cochran Katrina Morcombe Josephine Donovan Presenter: Joe Williams
Girls Open LEGENDS Kylie Maslin Lavina Smith Katie Maslin Natalie Simon Presenter: Kelrick Martin		My Story Winner Janita Cochrane Presenter: Jake Keane
Team Card VIBE SISTERS Kaylee Clark Terran Davis Rachael Reid Shianne Donovan Presenter: Harry Callaghan		Boys Breakoff Warren Buchanon (1st) James Clark (2nd) Shane Glass (3rd) Presenter: BBoy
Puggy Hunter Award Shane Glass Presenter: Claude Williams		Girls Breakoff Lizzy Saunders (1st) Trisha Pearson (2nd) Amy Dungay (3rd) Presenter: Tammie Jarrett

Tags: New South Wales, Taree, Vibe 3on3