Both Ararat and GJB have registered to the new sporting schools initiative, which is run by the Australian Sports Commission.

Grades five and six students completed the program during terms two and three, and it was extended by the school to allow them to participate in game situations.

All grade five and six students ventured to the Ararat YMCA on Tuesday, August 4, to put the skills they were taught by GJB coaches Trevor Holmes and Simon Hallett into games of basketball.

While teaching the fundamentals to the students, most who had never played basketball, the coaches were introducing a new game, ‘Triple Five’. 

This is a game of basketball with all the same rules, but with three teams participating on the one court at the same time.

It is a fast, active way to play basketball without teams waiting on the sideline.

With both courts operating at the YMCA, almost 60 students divided into seven teams were involved at the one time. Players learn quickly both offense and defense and add to that the quick reaction time that is needed to play “Triple Five.”

Comments from students and teachers have been positive, with students saying it is a fun game to play. 

One teacher said that some of the organisational skills have already transferred into the class. 

Over the next three to four weeks, it will be grades three and four, as well as prep–grade twos’ turn to try out on court at Ararat YMCA.

“The impact of the program has been significant at Ararat Primary School,” Ararat principal, Jennifer Molan, wrote in a letter to the GJB Association.

“Children have enrolled in out-of-school basketball competitions, and we now have a large number of our students playing basketball during recess times.”

Any school that is interested in having basketball included in physical education, or teaching students to play ‘Triple Five’, please contact the secretary of GJB via e-mail grampiansjuniorbasketball@gmail.com to organise the program.