Sport realising community potential through

Matt Cox and the Mountaineers. Photo Credit: Allison Black

The University of Southern Queensland contributes to the health and wellbeing of its communities by providing education and cutting-edge research. Sport is a valuable platform for USQ to engage with the local community and work collaboratively to help build the aspiration of the community in which it operates.

go the neers!

For several years now, USQ has worked closely with local semi-pro basketball team, Mountaineers, and it's Positive Choices Program to promote community awareness of the University’s core teaching and research offerings as well as to encourage young people to play the sport.

According to USQ Director of Stakeholder Engagement, Jo Sheppard, the program is about building community pride, self-belief and social confidence across our region “USQ’s collaboration with the Mountaineers inspires younger members of the community to adopt a healthy lifestyle, personal wellbeing and development through education,” she said. “It also generates stronger aspiration among USQ communities for participation in higher education.

“Community collaborations also provide a platform for applied research partnerships that makes research relevant for the Darling Downs community

Toowoomba basketball stalwart, John Gouldson, explains a deeper reason behind the program.

“Toowoomba Basketball Association and the Mountaineers began the Positive Choice through Basketball School Clinics in 2013 in memory of Stacey Richter and Stephanie Mylonas who were tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident by an irresponsible driver,” John said.

“School basketball clinics, conducted by Mountaineers players, encourage young people to play the sport and make positive choices which develop pride in good outcomes thereby reducing the impact of negative social influences.

“Toowoomba Basketball Association and its member clubs focus on using the Mountaineers Program to foster interest in basketball, improve players basketball skills and participation in competitions ranging from local learn-how-to-play games right through to Australian representative levels.”

positive choices program leader matt cox

Basketball is a big part of Matt Cox’s life. The former Toowoomba rep player is currently coaching the Mountaineers senior men’s team, Chairing Toowoomba Basketball Association Juniors, coaching Toowoomba Grammar School Year 9 basketball and coordinating the Positive Choices Program – oh and he also regularly refs games. But that’s just in his spare time because Matt is also a youth worker and studying Sport and Exercise Physiology at USQ. Let’s just say Matt is busy!

“We launched the Positive Choices Program in August and have 11 schools signed up: two high-schools and nine primary schools,” he said.

“Mountaineers players are running clinics with the kids at lunchtime and in PE lessons. So, we might teach something like passing, cutting or screening and then spend ten minutes playing a three-on-three game to practice the skills.

“We’ll be finishing the program at the end of Term 3 and then recruit for the primary school competition in Term 4. The idea is to encourage kids from the clinics into the clubs and keep growing basketball in the region.”

With thanks to Jo Sheppard Director (Stakeholder Engagement) USQ

1948 a super brief history of basketball in toowoomba: 1948 First basketball teams in Toowoomba 1967 Mountaineers Basketball team formed by Barry Raftery, Barry Neilsen and Neville Bousen.

1976 1980’s

The Water Street stadium was officially opened as a new home for TBA.

Also saw the development of Toowoomba Secondary and Primary Schools Friday night Basketball Championships which have been a feature of junior basketball in Toowoomba.

Mid 1990s 2012 2012 2014 2017 2018 2020

Pop Dickerson launched Supercamp in Toowoomba which he is still running today attracting players and coaches from all around Australia.

After 36 years of playing at the old Water Street courts Toowoomba Basketball found a new home at St Mary’s Old Boys Association Clive Berghofer Arena.

Mountaineers are based at USQ Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre

established Positive Choices Program. Addition of All Stars and Running Rebels brings Toowoomba Basketball Association to five Clubs

Special weekend of Celebrations with over 500 past and present Mountaineers

TBA established Toowoomba Mountaineers Limited to manage the Senior teams

NBL1 NORTH inaugural competition cancelled due to COVID 19

http://toowoombamountaineers.com.au/history

realising community potential through

Sport

The University of Southern Queensland contributes to the health and wellbeing of its communities by providing education and cutting-edge research. Sport is a valuable platform for USQ to engage with the local community and work collaboratively to help build the aspiration of the community in which it operates.