Boomers to take on China in Perth in exciting new basketball series

The Australian Boomers will take on Team China in a unique new basketball series to be played in Perth and China.

Acting Tourism Minister Troy Buswell today announced details of the YouYi Games, which is also being launched today by Tourism Minister Kim Hames at a function in Beijing.

"What we'll see in June is two of the world's best national basketball teams playing in three countries in the space of a week," Mr Buswell said.

Australia and China are currently the number nine and ten ranked nations respectively in world basketball. The series will play an important part in both teams' preparation for Olympic qualification later in the year.

"It should be a very close series, a real treat for spectators and viewers alike," Mr Buswell said.

Boomers coach Brett Brown said the series presented a great opportunity and challenge for the young Boomers side.

"The Boomers and China have always enjoyed a competitive close relationship over the years and this series will be no different," Mr Brown said.

With the support of the State Government through Eventscorp it is proposed to hold the YouYi Games annually up to and including 2015.

"We envisage the series becoming a feature event on the annual sporting calendars of the host cities," Mr Buswell said.

A third game will also be played in a neutral yet to be announced country.

"And not only will we be seeing great sporting contests, but Western Australia will receive tremendous exposure in the key tourism markets of China and South East Asia," Mr Buswell said.

Game One of the inaugural series will be held at Challenge Stadium in Perth on June 24.

"I would like to invite all Team China fans to visit Western Australia and support their team," Mr Buswell said.

The series' Chinese name 'YouYi' means 'friendship' in English, and was chosen in recognition of the growing relationship between Western Australia and China.

WA contributes 66 per cent of Australian exports to China.

Mr Buswell congratulated former Perth Wildcat captain and Boomers player Andrew Vlahov for organising the YouYi Games through his company RV Sport.