Basketball's strong growth is continuing and it is now just 300 people away from being the No. 1 participation sport in Western Australia and the Perth Wildcats are doing all it can to keep it going.
The game of basketball is currently ranked No. 2 in WA in terms of participation level and sits just 300 behind netball at present.
Basketball recorded a 12 per cent increase over the previous year and if that sort of growth continues it should be the No. 1 participated sport in WA within the next 12 months.
There is no doubt that in WA the success of the Wildcats, a strong State Basketball League competition and junior programs, and the sheer popularity of the game has all played a big part in it being such a popular sport to play.
Nationally, basketball is ranked third and it is No. 1 in Victoria and No. 2 in New South Wales with recorded figures across Australia showing that 25 per cent of Australians consider themselves fans of basketball to some degree and nine per cent wanting to be identified as fanatical supporters.
The Wildcats have worked hard to not only lead the way as the men's professional basketball team in WA, and the most successful NBL franchise with five championships, but to also re-engage strongly with state clubs and associations.
That has seen a clear pathway being developed for WA kids to play for the Wildcats, all training sessions are open to SBL coaches and players, 'Cats players took part in the SBL and the bond with the state league association is the strongest it perhaps has ever been.
Wildcats coach Rob Beveridge has a long and successful history working with youngsters right throughout his coaching career whether it be back in Canberra, the Sydney area, Asia, the United States or now in Perth.
He has seen firsthand how popular and strong the game is globally, and since he's come to Perth he has noticed that there are more people that want to play the game than can be catered for. The fact that participation rates are so strong doesn’t surprise him in the slightest.
"Basketball is the No. 2 sport in the entire world and it's a religion. When you go overseas and travel to the USA or Europe you notice that the one constant is soccer and basketball. Here in Australia people think basketball is an American sport and yes it was invented there, but it's a worldwide game," Beveridge said.
"I'm not surprised at all by the participation rates. There are not enough courts in Western Australia for the competitions and it's just incredible. I have three kids who play and there are so many games and the amount of kids involved is just incredible. I think that when people realise it's more of a world sport as well I think the numbers will just continue."
Beveridge now only expects interest in the game to continue to grow with the more exposure the NBL receives on Network 10, and that will lead to even more people wanting to go out and pick up a basketball.
"Particularly with being on free-to-air now the greater population will see some fantastic basketball and that can only help," he said.
"I thought that last year's competition was simply outstanding and our games were a sell-out most of the time so it's exciting here. When people start to see it on TV and what an exciting game it actually is I think the participation rates will go up even further."
Basketball has a clear pathway for youngsters to go from playing juniors to potentially in college, the NBL, in Europe, Asia or even with the national team or the NBA. With so many options for aspiring players there's no surprise it's so attractive to play.
"It's attractive for people the fact that you can play from 12s, 14s, 16, 18s, and 20s all the way through to international level," Beveridge said.
"AFL is a great sport, but that's something that we can offer over top of that and other sports. The amount of international stuff that you can do is enormous and you can play anywhere in the world, which is the beauty of this sport."
Also helping the cause is that basketball in WA now has an incredible new home at the Basketball Centre which is a far cry from the outdated Perry Lakes facilities.
Beveridge rates the facility right up there with anything else below the NBA level in the world and as coach of the Wildcats he wants to keep integrating with the WA community and the SBL to keep the game strong and to develop a clear pathway for young players.
"This is terrific and it's one of the best venues in Australia and it's like something you'd find in the college system in the USA," he said.
"We are very lucky to have it and I'm hoping that with what we are doing with the Wildcats this is the start of the future to show the young guys that they can be part of the pathway. That will open up opportunities for younger players as well."
