About Us
The SSS Tournaments are run over 2 days in the April (girls) and October (boys) NSW school holidays. School teams are invited to enter into Open age- (Year 9-11) and Junior (Year 7/8) in 2 divisions. Since 2009, teams from Victoria, Queensland and Los Angeles have entered the annual event.
In 2024, the Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre will again host and be sponsored by the NBA Basketball School. Teams will play a minimum 4 games over 2 days with entry fees approx. $85* per player with all referee, bench and first aid will be provided. (* prices may vary slightly) For more info please call 0400461483 Phil Webster
Tournament
Teams/Schools
The following schools have entered since 2008. (* denotes division winner)
Arndell Anglican College, Bellflower (USA) Barker, Balgowlah Boys High, Blue Mountains Grammar, Cranbrook, Central Coast Grammar, Killarney Heights High, Knox Grammar, Moriah College, Mosman and Chatswood High, Melbourne High, North Sydney Girls High, Newington College*, Patrician Bros. Fairfield, Queenwood, Redlands, Roseville College, Scots College*, Shore, St Lukes*, St Augustines*, St Andrews Cathedral, St Aloysius, St Josephs, St Pius, Sydney Grammar, Sydney Boys High*, Trinity Grammar, Trinity College QLD, The Kings School*, Waverley College.
Other non- school teams include: Charity Bounce, Sea Eagles Academy and Savannah Pride. 2023 will be open to negotiation for non-school based team entries.
History
The Sydney Schools Shootout began in 2008, after the unfortunate crash of the Sydney Kings in the NBL and their “Sydney Kings Cup”. Many GPS, CAS and ISA schools competed in two Open divisions up until 2008 and continued under the leadership of Phil Webster and support of coaches such as Rex Nottage, Ben Morrissey, Brad Dalton and Julianne Stanton. Since 2009, a vision to include schools from a wider range of school systems was pursued and teams from Combined NSW High Schools, Melbourne, The United States (Bellflower, CA) and our Charity Bounce program have competed alongside their independent school partners. In 2015, a Junior division was added to cater for a growing base of High School athletes. Presently, over 50 teams compete across three divisions for perpetual trophies and bragging rights at time when the NBL season begins.
Traditionally, games are hosted within school gyms but due to expansion, community and association venues have become more prevalent. There is an opportunity for your school to host a pool/part of the tournament if 2 indoor courts are available.
In 2023, a 4th age group will be added- Year 5/6 Primary aged players.
About the Tournament Director
Phil Webster, (B.A Dip Ed. M.Ed) is an experienced High School Teacher, Basketball Coach and Event Manager. He played State League Basketball for Manly-Warringah until 1992 and coached their U18 Men’s side to the Sydney and State Championship in 1994. He was also the Head Coach/Program Director at Knox Grammar School from 1990-2005, CAS 1sts coach on occasion, whilst leading several High School tours to the United States and Canada.
Phil was the Development Officer and Firsts Coach at Shore 2006-2009, before moving to the CHS system, where he has established the Mosman High Basketball program with 17 teams in local, state and National Schools Championships. Mosman also toured the USA in 2018/19 under Phil’s direction and finished 3rd in the NSW CHS Boys U15 and Open Championships in 2019, under the direction of coach Luke Cooper.
Since 2019, Phil has convened the Sydney North Basketball region for boys- leading the knock out stages in both age groups and coaching the Sydney North team in the NSWCHS Championships in Term 2 each year.
Phil is the former Academy Director of the Sydney Kings and Flames franchises and has a passion for high school tournaments with pathways for elite level players to advance to domestic and international destinations.