HOOP DREAMIN': Sports guru inspiring next generation of Douglas girls' basketball stars
YOUNG STARS
A Port Douglas teenager with some real drive and a passion for hoops is inspiring the next generation of local stars after creating an all-girls Under-14s basketball competition in Port Douglas.
A number of glowing reports have come to Newsport about Jake Black and the tremendous job he’s done with the girls in just a few short weeks.
“The number of girls has grown each week and we now have enough for two teams and are looking to create another two,” a local who praised Jack’s work told Newsport.
Thanks to the kind sponsorship from a number of local businesses Jack has been able to supply uniforms for the young players.
“I first wanted to create a junior basketball competition for the younger girls in town based off the success that the Crocs and Sharks have had with their junior programs,” Jake told Newsport.
“I simply wanted to provide an opportunity for more girls to play sport and to foster an environment that was and is inclusive so everyone felt welcome.
“The numbers have been encouraging so far, so that’s been great to see.”
An under-14s Port Douglas girls’ team is just one of many local outfits that will contest a tournament in a range of different junior age groups against Atherton tomorrow at our local stadium.
Port Douglas will be represented in under-12 boys, under-14s boys and girls and under 15-16s boys.
When he’s not coaching junior basketball the passionate sports nut hosts his local sports radio show on Douglas FM on Saturday mornings.
All the action gets underway tomorrow from 9.30am, with the under-14s girls’ taking the court at 1.30pm and 3.15pm.
Meantime, in further junior sport the Douglas Shire can lay claim to its own breaststroke king.
Port’s Raiden De Carlo proved a star at the recent FNQ short course championships in Cairns after breaking three separate records.
The teenager finished in 34.15 seconds to claim the male 12 years, 50 metres breaststroke record, in 1.15.48 to take the 12 years male 100-metre record and in 2.46.59 to break the record for the male, breaststroke, 200 metres.
Great job Raiden!