INAUGURAL VIBE 3ON3  ‘SUPER SATURDAY’ A HUGE SUCCESS

The National Indigenous 3on3 Basketball and Hip Hop Challenge – the Vibe 3on3® – showcased ‘Super Saturday’ on Saturday February 28, 2009 at the Swan Hill Sport and Recreation Centre in Swan Hill.  

It was the first time the Vibe 3on3® had been held in Swan Hill and also the first time the new one day event format known as ‘Super Saturday’ was initiated in the Vibe 3on3® event calendar. The Swan Hill local community embraced the event wholeheartedly and was joined by various surrounding communities Echuca, Mildura and Kerang.

The event was opened with a welcome to country by Aunty Stephanie Charles of the Wemba Wemba people and followed by speeches from dignitaries Greg Cruickshank (Swan Hill Rural City Council Mayor) and Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh MP. The Swan Hill Aboriginal Health Service was also in attendance to hand out health information and provide first aid if required. 

Joining the Vibe team for the first time were talented hip hop crew Tjimba and the Young Warriors and funky female breakdancer Nikka Ashby. Both conducted workshops for the kids throughout the day.

“It was great to see that the Swan Hill 3on3 attracted healthy numbers with 45 teams registering on the day. The kids had loads of enthusiasm and fun and when you add to the 3on3 melting pot other communities attending such as Mildura, Echuca and Kerang, it’s easy to understand why we will be returning”, said event coordinator Claude Williams.

Special mention must go to Rob Connelly (Manager Aboriginal Affairs – Rural City Council of Swan Hill) who worked tirelessly in pre event planning and the local committee for giving their time and support to ensure that the event ran smoothly.    

A big thank you to local sponsors the Rural City Council of Swan Hill, the Dept of Sustainability and Environment and all the event volunteers who worked so hard to make the event as enjoyable as possible for the young people of Swan Hill.

The Vibe 3on3® would not be possible without our sponsors the Department of Health and Ageing through the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Rio Tinto Aboriginal Foundation and the Department of Environment, Water Heritage and the Arts.

The Vibe 3on3® is a weekend Aboriginal youth festival that incorporates basketball, dancing, art, culture and health. We aim to promote healthy lifestyles, strengthen communities and boost self-esteem.

WINNERS