Sport
23 May, 2025
3x3 coming to Lake Pertobe
AUSTRALIA’S premier 3x3 basketball competition is coming to Warrnambool in December.
The three-day Champions League Basketball event will be held at Lake Pertobe.
The event is a partnership between 3x3 Australia and the Warrnambool City Council, with some of the nation’s top 3x3 players expected to travel to compete.
There will also be loads of opportunities for locals of all abilities to get involved.
As well as senior and junior games, there will be three-point competitions and time for “free shoots”.
An Olympic event since Tokyo 2020, 3x3 basketball also debuted at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 with both the men’s and women’s team winning medals.
Director of Champions League Basketball Matt Hollard said the tournament had been travelling around Australia since 2014.
“We have seen a real growth over the last decade in 3x3 along with some impressive results in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Asia Cups from our own Aussie teams,” he said.
“The sport of 3x3 now replaces 5-on-5 in the Commonwealth Games and offers a magnitude of opportunity to play overseas for your city and country.
“Councils and community stakeholders play a big part in what we do, and we are very appreciative of the support we have received over the years.”
Endorsed by FIBA, 3x3 is simple and flexible enough to be played anywhere and by anyone.
All you need is a hoop, a half-court and six players, with Champions League Basketball’s director and head of events and marketing Yvette Williams saying that was a big part of its growth and success.
“Given we can play our major competitions on portable half courts, we can also be creative about where we play,” she said.
“On the water, rooftops and iconic landmarks, we can be as creative as we like, and this year’s Warrnambool location is no exception as we place our show court on top of the newly established concrete court at Lake Pertobe.
“This will begin our exciting two-year event partnership with the Warrnambool City Council.
“Warrnambool is no stranger to the sport of 3x3 having been an early adopter with one of the very first official 3x3 clubs in Australia (The Warrnambool Storm) operating over the last four years.
“Their elite team has made it as high as the Australian EXE Premier Series in Melbourne and Japan in 2024 and their grassroots players are developing their skills each school term with their 3x3 Ready coaching program.”
Warrnambool mayor Cr Ben Blain said this would be an exciting addition to the Warrnambool events calendar.
“We built the new half-court basketball area to provide more things to do, especially for older children and adults, in that part of Lake Pertobe, and this event is an extension of that,” he said.
“We’re expecting some top level players to travel to participate, and that’s great for our local economy as well as for spectators.
“The format of the event means that you don’t need to be part of a regular 3x3 team or association to get involved. You can grab a couple of mates and enter, and there will be lots of other activities to take part in.
“So we have an event that’s bringing people into town, creating lots of ways for locals to get involved, and it will be great for spectators.”
The exact tournament dates will be announced soon, with team registrations to open closer to the date at https://clb3x3.com/events.
