3V3 Charity Tournament
UBL & Big Bangs 2013 5th annual
Event Details
Hosts: UBL & Big Bangs
Sponsors: FINE TUNED AUTO’s Unanderra, Custon Jerseys Direct, Groove Central and URAC
Date/Time: Saturday 21st September 2013, 9:30am-5:00pm (Midday events – 3-Point Shootout, Dunk Competition and Dance performance by Groove Central)
Location: University of Wollongong Recreation an Aquatic Centre (URAC)
Contact: Andy King (Communications Director) Ph: 0403 499 463
Media Release
Local Wollongong basketball charity to raise funds for underprivileged kids around the world Saturday the 21st September 2013, 09:30am to 04:30pm
The Uni Basketball League (UBL) is proud to be holding their 4th annual Big Bangs fundraiser, supporting the work of the Big Bangs Ballers Charity (Bigbangballers.org). 2013’s major sponsor is again Fine Tuned Auto’s Unanderra the “Subaru Specialist” and key supporters URAC, Custom Jerseys Direct, PRIMO! & Groove Central.
Co-founded by the 2010 ACT Young Australian of the Year, Pierre Johannessen, the Big Bang Ballers is an international NGO using the game of basketball to tackle youth poverty and social disadvantage. Since their inception in 2008, the BIG BANGS have catered to over 40,000 children and donated more than $250,000 worth of equipment and resources to deserving charities, orphanages and schools aimed at youth in 12 countries around the world. Through mentoring, life-skills, coaching and education programs, as well as a heavy emphasis on community development and personal responsibility, the Big Bangs and UBL have been helping young people develop their full potential and become leaders in some of the most difficult environments on the planet.
The UBL will be holding the fundraiser as an all-day 3 on 3 Tournament, with teams from the Illawarra, Greater Sydney Metropolitan and Canberra represented.
Live local music and entertainment by Groove Central and DJ Blanket of Love, dunk competitions, 3-point shoot-outs, a 3 on 3 tournament all with prize money will feature as part of the day.
“The event, an annual highlight for the Wollongong basketball community does more than just promote and give an outlet for local Wollongong talent. It provides the local AIME community with resources and events to assist in their programs and raises funds and awareness for the fantastic work of the Big Bang Ballers” UBL organiser and Big Bangs Wollongong director Anthony Nguyen comments.
“It’s so easy to imagine what you would do to make a difference in the world if you had the chance; the Big Bang Ballers have really taken the initiative and done what most of us would like to do – get out into the developing world and make small changes that mean a lot to all the kids they come into contact with. By running this tournament, we are able to assist with the funding efforts of the Big Bangs to donate basketballs, school-books, uniforms and shoes to thousands of kids throughout South-East Asia and Africa, who otherwise would not have the opportunity” adds Andy King, co-organiser of the event for the Uni Basketball league.
Media will have full access to the day’s events, as well as the ability to interview both UBL directors Anthony Nguyen and Andy King along with Big Bangs CEO, Pierre Johannessen.
UBL CHARITY 3v3 event for #talk2mebro! Come at me Bruh champions, Reggie K 3point King!
The UBL 3v3 returns this year to raise awareness and contributions for a cause close to home. #talk2mebro!
Last year we lost one of our team mates, a fellow baller, and friend to suicide. Matty Simpson loved the game and was always there fof his teammates, but wasnt able to open up to his mates about what was really going.
In the Aftermarth, #talk2mebro was created to help reduce the number of males who commit suicide. Through early intervention initiatives, the aim is to create societal change by reducing the stigma in males' attitudes towards suicide; empower men to take control of their mental health, and reduce the incidence of suicide.
The short notice tournament was highlighted by a great bunch of Ballers and teams from in and out of UBL who got together to ball in the morning of Saturday to leave it on the floor and play for their brothers, and it was a epic day of ball.
All funds raised to go to #talk2mebro charity for male suicide prevention in memory of Matt Simpson .Its an important message for all of us to increase awareness amongst your mates...
The morning started with a great intro by Kristy from #talk2mebro which everyone took in and set the tone for the day, play for your mates, and with a quick run down on the rules, it was ON!
First rounds had all teams play around 6 games, a stacked schedule, putting all the Ballers to the test of endurance and consistency. The teams looked stacked, a mix of all skill level players, but the top end of the mix was a standout as the day whittled down to the final 6 which would go into the playoffs hoping for the advancement to the finals.
The ranks at the end of the round were as follows;
1st - Come at me Bruh
2nd - TTMB
3rd - Old Heads
4th - Just the Tip
5th - Bricks
6th - Brick City
7th - Just tryin to ball w/ my Bros
8th - Sneaky Ballers
9th - Great Sharks
By the end there were 6 teams left, with the 1st place (Come at me bruh) and 2nd (TTMB) getting a well deserved rest for the Quarter Finals and would let 3rd place (Old Heads) take on 6th place Brick City. and on the other game was the 4th place Just THe Tip vs 5th place Bricks.
But first!!! the 3point shootout!! with some great competitors in the mix! 12 shooters ready to take on the racks the first round would be 2 shots and a money ball from 5 points of the arc. and the shooters did well with 6 names going through, REggie Dan, Anf Harro Greg and Tim. Reggie had an epic 2nd round, with 22, Greg on 13, Harro on 10, Dan and TIm 9, and Anf 5...
The finals saw Reggie face off against team mate Greg M and was able to get some runs going in his favorite spots, Gregs calculated jumper not able to fire off enough shots in time with enough makes and would give the title of 3 point KING to Reggie K! Well Done to all competitors!
PLAYOFFS!! with teams lunched and hydrated, it was time to get to business!
Old heads and Brick City faced off and the Old heads got their veteran baller status flowing early on with a quick run, Brick City wasnt able to stop the onslaught but able to put up 3 points to 11 as they bow out of the tournament after a great effort of a day, Old heads would advance to face a fresh TTMB crew in the next round.
Just the Tip would take on Bricks, and they stacked team was ready for it this time, not giving up the ball and not leaving any space, wanting the win, going 11-0 they were able to put the Bricks to rest despite Bricks getting a great run of games to make the playoffs, Just the tip advance!
Old Heads took on TTMB a big team with big ambitions looking for their first 3v3 title together, and Old heads were riding the wave from their last game and jumped on the rested TTMB crew who were stoking it from deep, but the isolation in the post and on the wings allowed the cutters to slip through and some great seals to lead to a big win for Old heads of the 2nd place TTMB, a super solid effort to dispatch many good teams today, just to fall short...Old heads a Grand finals berth...who would they play?
Just the tip had their work cut out against Come at me Bruh as they took the rest and used it to regather their hustle, because this game, they werent able to use their last game as momentum, Come at me Bruh too strong on the chemistry and on the 1v1 matchups up top, the Size of Just the tip not able to overcome this type of play, and they went down, unlucky Just the tip, a great day of wins and great plays! Come at me Bruh advance to the Grand Finals to face Old Heads!
Old Heads and Come at me Bruh took each other on and it was 1st place vs 3rd place, after an epic game vs TTMB, Old heads were pumped to face the blazing Come at me Bruh crew hungry for the win. Old heads opened up the game with a straight up post move with an easy bucket, the one on one matchups kept switching until they found their best fit. Come at me Bruh attacking the mid range and working off their deadly outside shot, which paid off in the end, the game was set at 15 points and Come at me Bruh made it quickly not givin up the ball much and as the fast pace caught up with the Old heads, true to their name, the cramps started setting in and 1 player went down and out for the game, with 3 left, they fought hard till the end but were short in the final score, a solid effort from a great team to get to the Grand finals!
Well done to Come at me Bruh! a great day of Ball, taking names in all games and putting in the work to get the job done, all in the name of charity and the message of the day brought by TTMB.
THANKYOU again to all the people involved in this event, the Players, the people that helped out with the day and making the event run smoothly!
Stay tuned for next year, when this event will return bigger and better!