South West Sydney Academy of Sport Set to Hustle

Written on the 3 July 2023 by SWSAS

The South West Sydney Academy of Sport (SWSAS) has this week joined forces with 3x3Hustle, Australia's Official FIBA and Basketball Australia 3x3 pathway organisation, as they become the latest 'Hustle' operator, after having their first taste of the 3x3 Hustle life at the NSW State Qualifiers in December 2022.

The Academy had two teams compete in that event, and currently have five teams made up of athletes within the current basketball squad competing in this week's Basketball NSW 3x3Hustle in Minto. 

The Academy will look to increase 3×3 basketball participation rates in South West Sydney, through the introduction and exciting atmosphere 3x3Hustle events bring. And will look to host their first stand-alone event in the September school holidays, whilst bringing 3×3 basketball in as a core component of the Academy’s 2023-2024 ‘UAA/Sharp EIT Solutions’ basketball performance pathway program.

“We are excited to have the South West Sydney Academy of Sport as our latest Hustle operator, and to help develop 3×3 basketball in the South West Sydney region,” said Head of 3x3Hustle, Jaele Patrick.

The purpose of the Academy in joining the 3x3Hustle family is to implement the opportunity for individuals to participate in the region, and further help develop the 3x3 pathway opportunities. 

 “As an Olympic and Paralympic sport, 3×3 Basketball fits well within our Academy’s sport program framework of providing opportunities for talent identified athletes within the South West Sydney region to gain experience, exposure and development within a sports high performance pathway.”, said Academy Sport Operations Manager, Stephen Craig. 

“The 3×3 concept and ability to host Hustle tournaments in our region will feed athletes into our traditional 5v5 basketball program,” said Craig, who added that, “Recognising that participation rates within our region are somewhat lower for female basketball athletes, 3×3 provides a great opportunity for us to assist development of those participation rates, as 3×3 does not rely on us fielding large training squads.”

3x3 concepts, including skill development, sports education, strength and conditioning programming and performance opportunities, such as Hustle events, will form a part of the basketball program at the Academy, who are already in consultation with current and former Australian National team 3x3 athletes to participate in presenting elements of the pathway program. 

"The opportunities that 3×3 basketball provides to develop not only an athlete individual skill, but challenging them to make decisions on their own and providing that extra education within the sport is a key fit for the Academy." said Craig. 

Academy hosted events will be posted on the 3x3Hustle events page and the Academy website in the coming months.

Nominations for the Academy's basketball program, which will include 3x3, are expected to be released in early August, with the program set to operate from September to April. 

For more information on 3x3 Basketball head to 3x3hustle.com. 

---END---