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Does anyone know if the participants in the u17 camps are exclusively chosen from the previous year's u18 nationals participants or do state coaches make the national coaches aware of a pool of potential players?

I'm thinking that if a state coach decides to go with a small team doesn't that disadvantage a potential tall player who never got the opportunity to come under the eye of the national coach at the Australian Championships.

I guess its obvious that I have a tall 16 year old that got cut from the u18 state team and now misses out on an additional opportunity.

Or maybe they already know about everyone worth having a look at through NITP. Or maybe my kid just needs to train harder.

Think you will find that most state coach's are satelite coaches that assist with national squad selection.So you are correct that umless you are in favor with them or come from their rep club you have absolutely no hope.If anyone watched recent 18 nationals you would shake your head at selected team

I really wish you hadn't mentioned that rep club part because there certainly seemed to be a bias in the team I'm thinking of. "If you can't lick 'em, join 'em", we should aswitched clubs.

258 - if I may venture an opinion from somebody down the road with a tall girl too. Yes the State ITC coaches will put forward any kid who they see has the potential to be an 'international' player at Open level (the current emphasis I believe - and a shift from the previous regime of 'win now' for all National Junior Teams). The basketball network is very thorough and if there is a good kid (particularly a tall one!) then the selectors will know about her and she will be on the radar.

Many of these players have been identified prior to National Championships through State-based talent ID etc. The earlier the better because as with most groups, its harder to get in than get out.

Having said that, unless there is a real issue with the non-selection then its unlikely that a player who doesn't appear at Nationals will get an invite to a National Camp and that's simply a function of numbers. 20 players at a final selection camp this time around doesn't allow much room for a 'project' player.

I would also say that this is a remarkable age group in terms of talented and capable 'talls' as opposed to any age group I have seen come through before. At Nationals this year there were at least 10 'talls' (6'1 or bigger) of good quality who could play (3-4 Vic Metro, 2 Qld Sth, 1-2 NSWC, 1 Tas, 3 SAC, 2 ACT, 1 WA, 1 NQ) off the top of my head.

9 of those girls were in the National Squad so that's a tough group to break into. Two of them are 'generational' talents and a number of the rest would have been the dominant tall in the age group in any of a number of recent years.

While that may seem all doom and gloom its not. I'm a firm believer in talent and effort winning out and over time those things show themselves. That's not to say that the process isn't without some heartache - my daughter missed out on a team as a bottom-aged U16 and it broke her heart - but she kept working and she has surpassed everybody that was picked in that team - mind you, there are still plenty ahead of her.

The most important thing for any player, in my humble opinion, is to still want to play the game by the time you are able to fully realise your talent. Early-ripe, early-rotten may be an old cliche but is as appropriate as ever when it comes to players career paths - help them maintain a passion to improve and never mind where they start, they'll finish ahead of most.

Many a player struggled to make junior state teams but went on to have successful and fulfilling basketball careers while their precocious peers peaked and stalled, ever to rest on the laurels of their U16 State team selection.

You know Ankles, I enjoy reading your posts.

Next time Albury comes round i think i will try and have a chat...if thats ok....

BMF - always up for a chat - unfortunately, not on the Albury radar any more - moved states!

BMF, thanks for that informative and sensitive response.

er ... I mean ankles ... but thanks also BMF

can ne1 try out 4 the 19's team?

I missed out on state, but am 6"4' n stil growin!!!!
Mum said she'd drive me to trials as well, where is it?

The camp starts with a spelling test - I'm afraid there's a massive fail heading your way.

State coaches do put forward........but unfortunately in SA NG has the last word. If he hasnt earmarked you himself, you wont budge him!

And considering you go to these camps like NG I assume you understand exactly what is expected, needed and who they are competeing against!

The U/17 Mens final camp is being held in a couple of weeks. They are down to the final 15. I think Daniel Carlin is the only SA player left.

I like "ankles's" thinking, sensible, thoughtful, less biased than most.
The NG thing is of interest. Is it that locked in/locked out these days?

There are 2 SA boys at the camp, Nathan Spehr and John Marriott, both from Sturt.

A team to tour China in early June will be chosen from the 19 in the group.

Camp is only a short one, Thursday 6-5 to Sunday 9-5.

But would ne have made the necessary improvement if he had not moved?

Still cannot fatham why 2 talls (Corr & Marr) are at the camp? Heard both at nationals were very average..............Seems again, if you've got height your in with a chance of being taught how to catch a ball property......if your small, is a promise....... (and no I dont have a kid playing) Footy for me.

Why didnt J OT get a call back?

Anon,

If you are tall you are competeing against the other talls.

If you are small you are competeing against the other smalls.

How hard is that to work out!

In S.A if your a tall you are competing against the smalls, thats why lots of talls play football or netball.
Just the style of ball played here.

Both the SA boys made the team for China.

Will post the rest of the details when I know more.

Emus team selected for China tournament 10.05.10

Eight members of the Australian U19 Men's team that won the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in March have been named in the Emus side to contest a tournament in China next month. The Emus will take on China, the United States and Slovenia in the tournament from June 4-14. Jackson Hussey (pictured, right) has returned to the team after missing the AST through injury while Sam Rowley, John Marriott and Mitchell McCarron are the other new faces in the lineup.

The Australian U19 Men’s team will use the tournament as preparation for the world championship qualification tournament, the 2010 FIBA Oceania U19 Championships to be held in September 17 - 19.

The 12-strong team was named following a four day training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport last week.

http://www.basketball.net.au/

Australian U19 Men’s team for China Tournament:
Jackson ALDRIDGE / Norths, NSW / AIS
Jordan BARRY / Illawarra, NSW
Mitchell CREEK / Horsham, VIC / AIS
Anthony DRMIC / Dandenong, VIC / AIS
Igor HADZIOMEROVIC / Melbourne, VIC / AIS
Jackson HUSSEY / Cockburn, WA / AIS
John MARRIOTT / Sturt, SA
Mitchell McCARRON / Brisbane, QLD / AIS
Sam ROWLEY / Norths, NSW
Nathan SPEHR / Sturt, SA
Lewis THOMAS / Stirling, WA / AIS
Corban WROE / Brisbane, QLD / AIS