Hoops

state team costs

Anyone interested under 20 nationals have a twitter account @U20champs

Start up another site for people who don't complain about how their taxes are spent. You will be F##ing lonely there.

Not quibbling about paying. In fact I have paid in excess of $30 000 in basketball related expenses in the last two years. Just reacting to someone implying that you are a scammer if you apply for a grant for $500 to help out.

We all get those. Including those that have never paid tax in their lives.

Well, I can only speak for myself here so I will try to cover off on those questions for you good folks.

1. I pay taxes, bloody lots of them and have done so for over 35 years now. So does my wife and I'm sure my kids will too one day soon enough, maybe here in Australia or maybe in another country, we'll see.

2. Never really had much luck with grants in the past, yes we have tried for some but so many hundreds of applicants for a small pool of money, even taking into consideration the strict rules and guidelines means we usually take the brunt of the cost or as we once did we organised some fund (team) raising.

3. Over the years our family has funded two boys at a number of state and national events for basketball, we are talking tens of thousands of $$$ here and you know what, we don't regret one cent of it...

4. There are other options, like your state basketball body could allow you to pay the amount off in installments etc...

Just think outside the square and you should find it achieveable. Politics asside, it is a great country with many opportunities, remember basketball is not high on the podium here like, say, in the USA!

Like I said, just the way it worked out for us, not pretending that it is suitable for everyone or the same for others.

Stay frosty...

Tax payers hand out countless millions of dollars a year as a result of other recriational persuits, drugs, alcoholism, Play Station induced obesity!! If a kid is prepared to work hard and develop to a level where they can make a state or national team I will gladly divert part of my tax to their family instead.

How about a state by state. $2700 in Tas. minus the cost of any gear you might have if you have been before.

Great post Bear.

Also go to the following sight and apply for the local sporting champions grant. A few forms to fill in but not that painfull and a possible $500 for individal or $2000 for a team. Money usually comes in after the event but still welcome. Not means tested either. Get in quick if you are off to U20s as aplication has to be in before the start of the event. For kids up to and including 18 yrs.

http://www.ausport.gov.au/participating/schools_and_juniors/local_sporting_champions

Some kids get a once in a life time opportunity to play for their state, they get to keep a state uniform, form bonds and friendships with people they have never met before, participate at a level they may never do so again and have memories they can pass down to thier kids one day.

The parents enjoy a wonderful experience and have many fond memories as well.

The kids come back to their Associations better for the experience, they are now considered elite in their sport (to a point) back home and role models for the younger kids there to follow and look up to.

Some kids play multiple times and they are probably going to end up playing at the elite level, get a scholarship of some kind and live the dream of playing basketball as a semi-pro or pro to some degree, here or overseas.

This is where it begins and yes, there is a cost involved, however I for one have never thought of it as money poorly spent or not value for the dollar.

Better to have them go to Nationals or States than see them spend the time doing something less productive or counter productive to their future.

I wish I had that chance when I was younger...

Raising some money through your local community with the assistance of your local Association will always help out in covering some of the costs, just ask them for some help, I'm sure they will accomodate to ease the financial burdon.

Finally, on this topic, ask any older pro or semi-pro hooper of their finest or fondest junior basketball memory and I guarantee it will almost always be about when they played States or Nationals, cheers!