COFFS Coast’s best junior basketballers have ended their year competing in the region’s biggest annual junior carnival.

The Bellinger Valley Braves hosted its annual Bronwyn Vigors Pacific Challenge Odd Age Carnival at Sportz Central.

Under 11s, 13s, 15, and 17s representative teams played off over three big days of basketball as they tried to win their division titles, as teams from throughout Far North Coast and South East Queensland played off with multiple games played at once in a festival of basketball.

The carnival is named after former Braves president Bronwyn Vigors, who passed away in 2016.

She was also one of the co-founders of the Braves club.

Bellinger Valley Braves president Shane Dunlop said it was a great turnout of clubs from throughout Northern NSW and South East Queensland.

“We had 48 teams from associations including the Braves, Ballina, Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour, Lismore, Port Macquarie, and Taree, and three teams from Queensland,” he said.

The Braves president fondly remembered the lady who the carnival is named after.

“The biggest thing about Bronwyn was she was about giving everyone an opportunity,” he said.

“She was always involved in the community, and she was about giving kids from any background the opportunity to play sport, which we try to do now.

“She was 100 percent about inclusiveness, and I think our club has been successful in implementing that and honouring that.”

Dunlop said the Braves were a club on the rise.

“Even though we are a small club our Under 18s won their division in the Northern Junior League, which is a big achievement,” he said.

“Even though the numbers are small, we have been successful.

“And our sponsors have been great including Handybin Waste Services who donated $1800 worth of basketballs, and North Coast Basketball.”

Coffs Harbour Suns under 11s girls coach Dave Barry was one of the many on hand to help guide their teams.

He said the annual carnival was a great way to end the rep year, as well as preparing for next year’s representative season.

“It’s our final hit out for the year and a good lead up to next year,” he said.

“It’s been a learning process for some of our players, and they’ve done a good job.

“Four have never played rep basketball before, and this carnival introduces kids to rep basketball and gives them the opportunity to step up and play at a higher level.

“They all had smiles on their faces and everyone had a ball.”

By Aiden BURGESS