Fresh Faces to Debut at GC2018 Basketball Competition

Team Canada will make its anticipated Commonwealth Games Basketball debut at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) after its place was today confirmed in both the men’s and women’s competitions.

The Canadian teams did not feature at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games when Basketball made its first and only appearance on the Commonwealth Games sports program.

However, in a boost for organisers and spectators alike, both teams have been announced in a list of competing nations from Oceania, Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa for the GC2018 Basketball Competition.

The Cameroon men’s team will also make its Commonwealth Games Basketball debut as will Jamaica in the women’s competition, after accepting invites which were endorsed by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

The GC2018 Basketball competition will feature eight teams in both men’s and women’s competitions, with reigning Commonwealth Games gold medal winners Australia looking to defend their respective titles on home soil.

The competing nations for both men’s and women’s competitions are listed below:

GC2018 Basketball Competition

Men

Women

Australia

Australia

Cameroon

Canada

Canada

England

England

India

India

Jamaica

New Zealand

Malaysia

Nigeria

Mozambique

Scotland

New Zealand

The competition will be split into two pools of four, with nations to face off against teams in their pool during the preliminary rounds to be held in Townsville and Cairns between 5-10 April before the finals at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from 13-15 April.

The pools and match schedules for the Basketball preliminaries will be announced in the coming weeks.

Remaining tickets to the Basketball preliminaries in Townsville and Cairns can be purchased on a first-come, first served basis via www.gc2018.com/tickets.

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Louise Martin CBE said:

"It’s been over a decade since Basketball’s first and only appearance at a Commonwealth Games – but I’ve no doubt it’ll be worth the wait when it delights the crowds in 2018.

"It’s fantastic to see such a wealth of nations competing. In an ambitious move by the organisers to secure the widest possible engagement and legacy, we’re also thrilled to see the benefits and enjoyment of the basketball tournament spread far beyond the Gold Coast to the event cities of Townsville and Cairns".

GOLDOC Chairman Peter Beattie AC said:

"We are excited to have Basketball featuring on the Commonwealth Games program for only the second time in history and to have several nations making their debuts is certainly going to add to the occasion.

"Our event cities Townsville and Cairns have a proud history and association with Basketball in Australia so we know that the people of North Queensland are going to get behind these teams and create a great atmosphere during the preliminaries matches.

"There are still plenty of tickets available for the Basketball preliminaries and we urge people not to miss out on what will be the biggest sporting event in Australia this decade."

FIBA Oceania Executive Director David Crocker said:

"FIBA is excited to have the best teams from the Commonwealth competing at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in three great Basketball cities and communities.

"FIBA’s new competition system will see national team Basketball occurring every three months and the Commonwealth Games is another opportunity for the national team stars to shine on a global stage."

Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones said:

"It’s fantastic to have all three medal winning teams from the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, in Australia, New Zealand and England, returning to take part in the GC2018 Basketball Competition.

"With Basketball matches featuring world class athletes being held in three great event cities, it will ensure the benefits and excitement of these Games spread far and wide.

"Canada is a great tourism and trade partner and having this exposure is great for Queensland."

For more information, please contact:

Adam Gardini

Tel: +61 402 487 575

Email: media@goldoc.com

Communications and Media Lead

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC)

25 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics iswww.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only