BASKETBALL originated in America in 1891 as an indoor game designed to maintain the fitness of baseball players in their off-season. It quickly spread to other parts of the world and in a number of European countries is considered a national sport.
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In Australia basketball was first played in about 1905 and in New South Wales, a basketball association was formed in 1938 to promote the game. In Queanbeyan in the early 60s, I remember it becoming popular as an outdoor sport even before the high schools installed indoor courts.
The Queanbeyan District Basketball Association (founded in 1977) acquired the indoor basketball centre from YMCA at Karabah with the assistance of a NSW government grant and a Queanbeyan City Council loan.
The Queanbeyan District Basketball Association is affiliated with the NSW Basketball Association and has teams that compete in the NSW State league and NSW Junior Southern League, as well as in local ACT senior and junior competitions. The facilities at the centre are also used by other sporting organisations and when available can be hired for use by private and other ad hoc groups. Over the period of a week there can be in excess of 400 young people using the facilities of the centre.
The next ‘Looking both ways’ column will describe the current Queanbeyan District Basketball Association activities and its aspirations for expanding to meet the demands of the future.
For comments, feedback or ideas email lookingbothways2015@gmail.com