The Gold Coast Blaze were out in force at the Gold Coast Show over the weekend with Burnie Blaze, Goulding’s celebrity cook-off and the Rookie of the Year grand final.
On every day of the event, Blaze players signed autographs and gave Gold Coast youngsters some valuable tips on their game at the Blaze exhibition.
The event was also the final of the Blaze’s Rookie of the Year competition. The competition, which has had qualifying rounds at four local shopping centres over the past months, attracted thousands of aspiring junior basketballers eager to showcase their skills in front of their Blaze heroes. Participants aim to complete a skills obstacle course in the quickest possible time.
This year’s Rookie of the Year Final was won by Preston LeGassick, who took the prize in a thrilling one-second victory from Jai Waterhouse.
Preston wins a Blaze Season Pass valued at over $1000 as well as an official game singlet and shorts. Preston will also lead the team out onto the court at our first home game on October 24th.
Blaze players James Harvey, Anthony Petrie, Stephen Hoare and Tom Garlepp were there to catch a glimpse of some Blaze stars of the future, with Blaze court announcer DJ Tally there to give words of encouragement.
Young gun Chris Goulding participated in the special cook-off event which also featured players from GC United and the Titans. Chris proved his skills are better suited to basketball though, as his culinary efforts left a lot to be desired.
“I think I’ll leave the cooking to my mum, that was a pathetic attempt,” quipped the man known as Bubbles.
In all, over 300 youngsters participated in the Blaze activities during the show.
Click here to see some pictures from the Gold Coast Show.
