The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Basketball program, through the Australian Sports Commission, is pleased to announce 22 scholarship holders for 2012.

The AIS Basketball program, established in 1981, is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading development programs.

Athletes such as the world’s No.1 women’s basketball player Lauren Jackson, Australia’s first ever No.1 NBA draft pick Andrew Bogut, 3 time NBA champion Luc Longley and WNBA standout Penny Taylor are just some of young Australians who have progressed from the AIS Basketball program.

Acting AIS Director Phil Borgeaud said the Institute, in partnership with Basketball Australia, is continuing to help strengthen Australian basketball through the development of talented junior athletes.

“The AIS Basketball program aims to transform junior players with promise into mature senior athletes with the mental, physical and tactical skills needed to perform with distinction and humility on the world stage ,” Borgeaud said.

“We are extremely proud of our record and tradition of producing talented basketball players who have gone on to excel at the elite level of the game.”

The Australian Government is a strong supporter of Australian basketball, contributing more than $5.8 million in annual funding to support the development of the sport at both the elite and grassroots level.

This includes an additional $1 million per year in High Performance funding.

A full list of the 2012 AIS Men’s and Women’s Basketball scholarship holders is attached. A number of additional scholarships are yet to be confirmed and will be announced in the near future.

Contact: David Packwood, AIS Media Officer Phone: 02 62141476 / 0408 417894

*The AIS is a major division of the Australian Sports Commission

2012 AIS Basketball Scholarship Holders

Men

Lual ACUIL (WA)
Matthew ANDRONICUS (NSW)*
Joshua DERKSEN (QLD)*
Mirko DJERIC (NSW)*
Andrija DUMOVIC (NSW)
Dante EXUM (VIC)*
Darcy HARDING (NSW)*
Emmett NAAR (NSW)
Owen ODIGIE (VIC)*
Ben RICHMOND (TAS)*
Benjamin SIMMONS (VIC)
Jaecob SNOW (QLD) *
Cade TOWERS (QLD)*
Lachlan WINTER (VIC)*

HEAD COACH: Ian Stacker
ASSISTANT COACH: Paul Goriss
SCHOLARSHIP COACH: Mathew Neason

Women

Louise BROWN (VIC)
Mikhaela DONNELLY (QLD)*
Darcee GARBIN (WA)*
Tiana MANGAKAHIA (QLD) *
Carley MIJOVIC (VIC)*
Casey SAMUELS (NSW)*
Stephanie TALBOT (SA)
Carly TURNER (VIC)

HEAD COACH: Phil Brown
ASSISTANT COACH: Kristy Flores

Graduating athletes (15 February 2012)

Rebecca ALLEN (VIC)
Sara BLICAVS (VIC)
Alexandra BUNTON (ACT)
Rebecca COLE (VIC)
Rosie FADLJEVIC (VIC)
Madeleine GARRICK (VIC)
Tessa LAVEY (VIC)
Olivia THOMPSON (SA)

*Returning scholarship holders