Norths U14 boys take on club championships
A Norths junior team is headed to Perth for the experience of a lifetime, as they compete against Australia’s best
The Norths representative program has gone from strength to strength in recent times, this time a junior team qualifying for the Foot Locker U14 Club Championships in Perth.
After a long season of hard work, development and learnings, the Norths U14 Boys Black team are heading west.
The Bears will travel to Perth on Saturday morning to compete at the annual tournament, representing Norths Basketball on the national stage alongside some of the country’s strongest junior programs. The tournament runs between Saturday 26th September to Friday 2nd October, featuring 24 teams split across 6 pools.
For head coach Lual Diing, assistant coach Aher Diing, and the 12 roster players, the opportunity is the culmination of almost 12 months of hard work.
So, how did they get here?
The journey started back in October, with trials bringing the group together for the first time.
From there, the boys worked through pre-season, interstate tournaments and a full Junior Premier League (JPL) season, with one goal firmly in mind: earning the opportunity to compete at Nationals.
It is an opportunity the group has earned, and one that reflects the strength of Norths’ junior performance pathway.
From junior representative basketball through to NBL1 and the professional game, Norths has continued to build opportunities for players to develop and compete at the highest levels available to them.
For this group, the next step is Perth, and it’s something head coach Lual Diing thinks his side has earnt.
“We’ve gone through pre-season, interstate tournaments and a full season together, with Nationals circled from the very beginning. Through the boys’ hard work, commitment and belief in each other, we’ve been able to get there.”
A group built for the national stage
While the results have been an important part of the journey, the development of the group both on and off the court has been just as significant. For coach Diing, the trust the boys have built throughout the season has become one of their biggest strengths.
“What has impressed me most is the trust they’ve developed in each other and how much they genuinely look after one another. It’s a really tight-knit group.”
That connection has also created an environment for individual growth, with Liam Amendolia (#10) and Jacob Fu (#12) among those to make significant strides throughout the season. Amendolia has taken on responsibilities across multiple positions, while Fu, the youngest player in the group, has continued to compete against bigger opponents and played a key role during the State Championships.
“We’ve asked a lot of Liam, including playing and guarding multiple positions, and he’s consistently stepped up. He’s led from the front with his leadership and his willingness to do whatever the team requires from him.”
For a group that the coaches describe as “resilient, tough and family”, adapting to challenges has been a defining part of their development. The boys have had to play different roles, compete physically and respond to change throughout the season, while continuing to support one another.
“We’re not the biggest team physically, so a lot of our boys have had to play out of position, guard bigger players and find ways to make up for things physically. They’ve embraced that challenge all year.”
Now, that resilience and connection will be tested on the national stage, with the opportunity to represent Norths at a National Club Championship something the group has been working towards since their first trials almost 12 months ago.
“To now have the opportunity to represent Norths on the national stage is something they’re really proud of, and I know they’re excited to represent the club and everyone who has supported them throughout the season.”
As they head to Perth, Diing’s message to the group is simple: embrace the opportunity they have earned and enjoy the experience.
“Opportunities to compete at a National Championship, at any level, are never guaranteed. They’ve worked extremely hard to earn this opportunity, so now it’s about making the most of it.”
The final chapter of this teams journey is about to begin.
Featured image: Aidan Mackie / @aidanfilmed
Who will they face?
The Bears will open their Club Championships campaign on opening night, as they face hometown team, the Willetton Tigers.
Also drawn in Pool A were the Ipswich Force (QLD) and Knox Raiders (VIC). Norths will play both these teams on Monday, in a morning and afternoon fixture respectively.
The results of the opening pool games across the tournament’s first three days will determine the group’s progression. Following these initial fixtures, the top two teams from each pool will be assigned new pools within the Championship division. Teams finishing third of fourth will still have the opportunity to play within the Shield division. Medal games will then be played on Friday 2nd October for each division.
How to watch?
Each game of the Foot Locker U14 Club Championships will be streamed live via subscription platform Kommunity TV.
Tickets can still be purchased HERE for those wanting to catch the action in-person.
Featured image: Basketball Australia / @basketballaus
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