Indonesian young basketballers departs to Australia for coaching clinics with Western Australia teams

Australia Deputy Head of Mission to Indonesia Louise Hand farewelled 24 Indonesian student basketballers before their departure to Western Australia on Sunday (12/10).

Representing high-school basketball competition, Deteksi Basketball League (DBL), boys and girls all-star teams will play against several Perth sports school teams and then Basketball WA’s combined Under16 State sides in the main international event on Saturday, 18 October.

“This visit will give you a better understanding of Australia and will help you to build strong people to people links between young generations of Australia and Indonesia. You will be fine ambassadors for Indonesia and develop lasting friendships with young athletes in Australia,” Louise Hand said.

During their week in Perth the DPL teams and their coaches will experience a Basketball WA high performance coaching clinic and attend both Perth Wildcat and Perth Lynx training sessions and their scheduled NBL and WNBL games. They will also be hosted by the Perth Glory at their A-League match against Sydney FC on Sunday, 19 October and enjoy visits to Western Australia’s beautiful beaches and tourist sites, universities and schools.

“Our young players have been selected on the basis of their character and educational performance, not just basketball skills” said DBL Commissioner Azrul Ananda. “We hope that through their interaction in sport with young Australians they will develop their skills and develop friendships that will lead to regular international games like this for DBL”.

Sports relations between Indonesia and Western Australia have grown significantly. In June, Football West’s state soccer team and the A-League’s Perth Glory attracted huge public and media interest by playing against top ranking sides in East Java.

Rick Smith, CEO, of Basketball Western Australia commented: “This is a great opportunity for our two cultures to come together through the sport of basketball to learn and grow from one another. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship between DBL and Basketball WA.”

Media Enquiries:
Fiona Hoggart, First Secretary (Cultural) mob. 0811936302