Sixty-two basketball teams will head to Werribee for the South Sudanese Australian Summer Slam this week.
The annual tournament will be held from Sunday to Tuesday, from 9am to 6pm, at Eagle Stadium.
The South Sudanese Australian National Basketball Association (SSANBA) is working with Basketball Victoria, Western Leisure Services and Victoria Police to stage the event, with help from Wyndham council and South Sudanese community groups.
Tournament director Manyang Berberi said the tournament has five divisions: under-16 boys, under-18 boys, under-20 mens, open age mens and a girls’ section.
Mr Berberi said the tournament started 14 years ago with five teams at Footscray City College.
“It’s a really, really great tournament, with lots of energy and lots of positive vibes,” he said.
Mr Barberi said teams from Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Canberra would compete in the Werribee basketball contest.
Sports fans from Melbourne’s west will be able to barrack for the Sunshine Longhorns and Sunshine Thunder.
Mr Barberi said the SSANBA organised two major tournaments every year, to help young people develop leadership, team skills and build community connections.
