Tooning in to basketball

By Rebecca Fraser
MORE than 1200 children descended on the Dandenong Basketball Stadium last Thursday for the Cartoon Network Basketball Mega Clinic.
Primary schools in Casey and Greater Dandenong took part in the competition, co-hosted by Basketball Victoria and Dandenong Basketball Association for Basketball Australia and the Cartoon Network.
The day was the final of four mega clinics held around Australia involving 2,900 Australian ‘Aussie Hoopers’.
The clinics were designed to introduce school children aged six to 12 years to basketball and provide basic and fun skills by trained coaches from the Melbourne Tigers, Dandenong Rangers and Bulleen Melbourne Boomers, as well as Duncan the Kangaroo, the official Mascot of Aussie Hoops.
The Cartoon Network’s popular toon star Scooby Doo was also present and took a shot at learning all the fun skills of the game at the clinic.
Basketball Victoria chief executive officer Wayne Bird said Aussie Hoops was a great program for Victorian kids.
“We’re excited that the Cartoon Network is bringing its final mega clinic to Dandenong, providing a great opportunity to kids of all skill ranges,” he said.
“Sessions are designed to gradually build self-confidence and important social skills, while creating a positive outlook on physical activity and developing healthy lifestyles.”