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Basketball battle on a North Shore street

Tuesday 7 July 2009, 12:41PM

By North Shore City Council

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NORTH SHORE CITY

  • Major street-basketball event on the eve of the FIBA U19 World Championships Final
  • Record-breaking Smashproof and solo-artist Dane Rumble to perform
  • Smashproof members to participate in celebrity basketball match


Hundreds of basketball players and followers will soon be pounding the pavement at North Shore City’s street basketball competition ‘Street Jam’, taking place this Saturday July 11 in Takapuna.

Organised by the North Shore City Council, the three-on-three competition coincides with the hosting of the FIBA Under 19 World Championships in the city, and the onslaught of more than 200 young basketball players visiting from around the world.

Street Jam will take place on the eve of the FIBA event Final.

Organisers are anticipating hundreds of keen players, sports fans and music lovers will attend the Smales Farm hosted event – with performances by top Kiwi musos and a celebrity basketball match also on the cards.

Solo-artist and former member of Fast Crew, Dane Rumble and record-breaking hip-hop group Smashproof will play live on the day. Smashproof holds the record as New Zealand’s longest consecutive run at number one on the NZ Singles Chart in 23 years, with their hit ‘Brother’.

In an exciting twist, Smashproof’s Young Sid and Deach will exchange microphones and stage for basketball and tarseal, taking on a celebrity street ball challenge, accompanied by competitors on the day.

Council events, city promotions and tourism manager Jennah Wootten says Street Jam is a unique opportunity for young people to show-off their basketball prowess, rub shoulders with top players and enjoy free entertainment.

“It’s going to be one the highlights in our event calendar and it will be a great opportunity for people to see some high-profile Kiwi acts, without paying a hefty concert ticket-price,” she says.

For basketball players keen to get in on the action, there are three categories in the Street Jam – U12, U17 and Open.

Ms Wootten says there are exciting prizes on offer for the teams that score the most points.

Those playing in the Open category will be shooting for a VIP table for four to watch top players at the Final of the FIBA U19 World Basketball Championships the following day, hosted by North Shore Events Centre.

Other prizes will include three individual season-passes to see the New Zealand Breakers, for the winners of both the U12 and U17 categories.

Those wishing to register to participate can email streetjam@northshorecity.govt.nz or register on the day between 10am and 10.45am at the North Shore City marquee.

For more information about the FIBA U19 World Championships visit www.newzealand2009.fiba.com