Basketball Australia, the sport’s governing body in the country, has entered into a partnership with real estate investment firm Vicinity Centres.
The company has been named the principal partner of the body’s official junior development programme, Aussie Hoops. The three-year deal will conclude in 2018.
As part of the agreement, ‘Super Hooper’ inflatable basketball stations will be placed in Vicinity Centres’ shopping malls across Australia throughout 2016.
Since its re-launch last summer, over 20,000 five- to 10-year-olds have taken part in the Aussie Hoops programme, a figure Basketball Australia expects to treble with Vicinity Centres’ backing.
“Sponsoring junior basketball is an outstanding opportunity to connect our shopping centres, customers and retail partners with the communities in which they operate,” Angus McNaughton, managing director and chief executive of Vicinity Centres, said.
“Enriching community experiences is at the forefront of our business and the partnership with Aussie Hoops demonstrates our commitment.”
Basketball is said to be the second highest participation sport in Australia with more than 1.2 million people of all ages and genders playing the game each year. The partnership was launched in Melbourne today (Wednesday) by Australian and Olympic basketball stars Lauren Jackson (pictured) and Andrew Gaze.