Engage! empowers youth participation in Champions League Basketball

Published on 23 October 2023

Benalla Rural City Council in partnership with the Benalla Basketball Association, are thrilled to announce Champions League Basketball (CLB) is coming to the 2023 Benalla Festival.

Set to take place at the Benalla Botanical Gardens tennis courts on Saturday 11 November and Sunday 12 November, the event promises an exciting weekend of 3x3 basketball, slam dunk competitions, 3-point shootouts, and FIBA3X3 World ranking points, catering to players and spectators of all ages and skill levels.

To encourage local youth participation, Benalla Rural City Council, through the Engage! program will be sponsoring a limited number of entries for teams with young people between the ages of 12 to 25.

Benalla Rural City Council Mayor Bernie Hearn said Engage!, an initiative of the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness, empowered young Victorians aged 12 to 25 to become active in their local communities.

“By supporting youth participation in the CLB event, Engage! is fostering a sense of community, encouraging skill development, and promoting active lifestyles among Benalla’s youth,” Cr Hearn said.

“Through our support of events like the CLB at the Benalla Festival, we aim to provide opportunities for our young people to showcase their talents, connect with peers, and learn valuable life skills.

“We are proud to support this initiative and it’s exciting to the event become a feature of the Benalla Festival program.

“It promises to be an engaging experience for both players and spectators, and we are grateful for the support of Engage! in making this event accessible to the youth,” Cr Hearn said.

The event will feature Free Come’n Try sessions, food trucks, and a pop-up barber shop offering court-side haircuts. Open to all, CLB fosters a fun, inclusive, and family-friendly environment, where everyone can enjoy the excitement of basketball.

Event Details Dates: Saturday 11 November and Sunday 12 November Venue: Benalla Gardens Tennis Courts, Deas Street, Benalla Entry: Free for Spectators Team Registrations: Starting at $120 per team for Juniors, $150 per team for Open and Elite levels.

Teams interested in accessing financial assistance go to Engage! Entry Subsidy

To register a team or learn more about the event, please visit the CLB3X3 official website and search for 'Benalla'