The SSS Tournaments are run over 2 days in the April (girls) and October (boys) School Holidays. School teams are invited to enter into open age, Years 9/10, 7/8 and 5/6 (in divisions) from Sydney, Australia or overseas. In 2009, Melbourne High School competed, 2015, Bellflower High- Los Angeles and in 2022, Trinity College Queensland won the open division 2.
In 2023, 3 hubs have been confirmed, Central Coast-Breakers Stadium, Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre and Heffron Park in Maroubra. An Eastern and Western hub will be announced shortly.
Boys
The SSS Tournament is run over 2 days in the October School Holidays and is open (in 3 divisions) to all high school teams in Sydney, Australia or overseas.
The Premier division is sponsored and named after NBL Hall of Famer- Ken Cole.
The Development division is sponsored and named after the Sydney Kings franchise
The Junior division is sponsored and named after the Sydney Schools Shootout.
In 2023, multiple venues will be run across Greater Sydney and Central Coast.
Girls
The SSS Tournament is run over 1 day in the April School Holidays and is open (in 2 divisions) to all high school teams in Sydney, Australia or overseas. In 2024 it will be on Friday April 26th at either Cranbrook School or Willoughby Leisure Centre.
The Senior division is named after WNBL Hall of Famer- Karen Dalton- Head Coach and former player at the top level in Australia winning Olympic and World championship medals.
The Junior division is sponsored and named after by the Sydney Schools Shootout.
All teams play a minimum of 4 games on Day 1 (boys) or 3 games on Day 1 and a 4th on Day 2. Top two teams in pools of 4 or 5 qualify for play-offs on Day 2.
FAQ
All teams will play a minimum of 3 games with each game costing around $100-150 per team (about $10-15 per player/per game)
Final costing will be completed by September 13th and vary due to referee costs and court hire variations. Full payment will be required by October 1st, 2023.
All referees and bench officials are provided and no parent or team needs to be available for duties. Parents can volunteer to bench.
A physiotherapist/first aid office will be on -site at all venues. Teams usually submit their own risk management to their school for approval by school executive. SSS has public liability insurance to $10 million.
Team coaches will be required to nominate division 1 and 2 in each grade based on the experience and achievements of their players. More than 1 rep player in each team would generally mean a team should nominate for division 1.
Yes, mixed teams are accepted in the Year 5/6 age division. If enough girls teams nominate, separate girl divisions will be offered.
Schools can play at any venue on offer but generally schools will pick the most favourable geographic location. Locations are subject to change due to insufficient numbers/teams.
For all other enquiries please email info@sydneyschoolsshootout.com.au
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 a retired 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, 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 and direction and finished 3rd in the NSW CHS Boys U15 and Open Championships in 2019.
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.