Government initiative helps Wildcats make three-week State-wide tour
19/5/00Newly-crowned NBL champions, the Perth Wildcats, will set off next week with their NBL trophy on the most extensive State-wide tour ever undertaken by a championship sporting team.
19/5/00
- Week 1: May 22-26, Kimberley Tour;
- Week 2: May 29 - June 2, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Albany; and -
- Week 3: June 5 - 9: Mandurah, Pinjarra, Margaret River, Busselton, Bunbury, Collie, Narrogin, Katanning, Kulin, Newdegate.
Newly-crowned NBL champions, the Perth Wildcats, will set off next week with their NBL trophy on the most extensive State-wide tour ever undertaken by a championship sporting team.
Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore today announced the three-week tour supported by the State Government through the Country Sport Enrichment Scheme and Westrac.
Captain and co-owner of the Perth Wildcats, Andrew Vlahov, said last year's visit to the Pilbara by the Wildcats was so successful that the players were looking forward to meeting more of their country fans.
The itinerary includes:
The tour will include visits to a number of remote Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley region to conduct clinics and promote junior development.
Around 20,000 schoolchildren will have the opportunity to meet the Wildcats and SBL players. Another 5,000 juniors will be able to be involved in clinics and coaching workshops.
Talented junior and senior players will be selected from local schools and clubs in each town to play with and against Wildcats and SBL players in mixed team competitions.
"I am absolutely delighted that the Wildcats have decided to embark on a regional tour again this year,"
Mr Moore said.
"This tour is another outstanding success for the Country Sport Enrichment Scheme and further proof that the State Government is helping to deliver top-class sport to country people.
"This tour will provide a major boost for basketball around the State and will be a special treat for the many basketball fans in regional towns and communities who will be able to see the NBL championship trophy as well."
The Country Sport Enrichment Scheme is a ministerial initiative being run through the Ministry of Sport and Recreation.
This year the CSES has helped fund four Westar Rules football matches in Esperance, Karratha, Kununurra and Toodyay, WA's two national hockey league teams playing in Geraldton and the Western Warriors, who will clash with the Victoria Bushrangers and South African side Natal in one-day cricket matches in Broome.
The Wildcats' tour is also supported by the Ansett Australia Country Sport Development Program and the Skywest Sport Development Program, co-ordinated by the Ministry of Sport and Recreation.
Media contacts:
Hartley Joynt, Minister's office, 9321 1444
Erin Broderick, Ministry of Sport and Recreation, 9387 9749.
PERTH WILDCATS WA REGIONAL TOUR
ITINERARY WEEK 1
Broome, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham, Kununurra, Argyle and Remote Communities
Kimberley Tour May 22 - 26, 2000
| Monday 22 | Kununurra, Oombulgurri / Kalumburu Wyndham |
| Tuesday 23 | Argyle Tour, Warmun / Halls Creek |
| Wednesday 24 | Fitzroy Crossing, Muludja / Bayulu, Yakanarra / Wangkatjunka |
| Thursday 25 | Derby , Broome |
| Friday 26 | Bidyadanga Dampier Peninsula |
Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Albany
May 29 - June 2, 2000
| Monday 29 | Kalgoorlie |
| Tuesday 30 | Kalgoorlie - Geraldton |
| Wednesday 31 | Geraldton - Northampton |
| Thursday 1 | Geraldton, Albany |
| Friday 2 | Albany |
Mandurah, Pinjarra, Margaret River, Busselton, Bunbury, Collie, Narrogin, Katanning, Kulin, Newdegate
Bus Tour June 5 - 9, 2000
| Monday 5 | Mandurah, Margaret River |
| Tuesday 6 | Margaret River, Busselton |
| Wednesday 7 | Bunbury |
| Thursday 8 | (am) Drive Bunbury - Katanning School Clinics (pm) Narrogin , Kulin and Newdegate Game (7 pm) Overnight in Kulin |
| Friday 9 | Kulin - Perth return |
 |
