THREE local up and coming basketball players, Andrew Garvey, Will Burstal and Duncan Cameron, are heading to Terrigal this weekend to take part in the NSW Country Waratah Camp having been identified as promising candidates for NSW under 18s selection in 2009.

Will, a member of the Young under 16s and a strapping 6ft 8inches tall was approached by the current NSW State coach and encouraged to attend despite being at the lower end of the age group targeted.

Daniel Slater, 6ft 2inches and also an under 16s player for Young was also identified as a younger age player who should be trialed for NSW country.

Andrew was a member of the Young under 18s which made the semis of Division III Country Championships earlier in the year, and was identified as a lower age player capable of attending the camp.

Another local player, Duncan Cameron amazed coaches at Country and was identified, yet remains unfortunately too young to participate in this year’s camp.

During the weekend, players will receive instruction from some of the state’s top coaches including State team coaches and coaching staff, working to develop their skills in preparation for next season.

Players will also trial for selection in teams to contest the 2009 Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup (ACJBC) and Pacific Coast Slam (PCS) and this camp is considered the first step toward gaining selection in the NSW Country Under 18 team.

Should any of the players be selected in the ACJBC and PCS under 17 teams, they will then return at the end of November for another development camp.

In 2009, the now under 18s teams will compete in Cup and Slam, with a squad then selected to attend an under 18s state selection camp at the end of January.

Secretary of the Young basketball Association Kelly Slater said that all four young players had great potential and were looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity.

“They all realise they are very lucky to have local coaches Michael Roberts, Max Hoffman and Damien Collins.

“All of which are under 30 and have played at a National level in recent times and are generously giving back to the sport,” Ms Slater added.