NEW Zealand team tour director Sue Pene thought she had served her time at the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup.
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A decade-plus of performing almost every imaginable role for the touring party — coach, team manager and player development officer among others — meant Pene was happy to sit back and take a well-earned break.
But when long-time NZ tour director Mel Young became ill, Pene readily accepted one more request to cross the Tasman and head to the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre for this year’s tournament.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Pene said.
“We’ve got 115 kids and 24 staff and there’s a lot to it.
“All the work behind the scenes getting ready and then when you’re here, ensuring everyone’s well-being and welfare.
“I reckon I’ve done this 10 or 11 times and probably thought I’d done enough, but I’m very happy to be coming back.”
Sixty-six teams from NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand will compete in the annual tournament, now in its 29th year.
Pene expected her Kiwi squads would be competitive, with the under-14s “a very good chance”.
“Our under-16s aren’t too bad either,” she said.
“We’ve also got some great up-and-coming coaches we’ve brought.
“It’s great for their experience, they’re very keen and a lot of them are former players who have been here before.
“It’s a great way for them to put back into the game and they can learn so much.”
Australian Boomers shooting coach Brad Davidson, who played 393 NBL matches, will speak at a coaches’ seminar at The Scots School from 7pm tomorrow.
The opening ceremony at the Wodonga Sport and Leisure Centre from 10am on Monday.
