THE COFFS Harbour Suns and The Big Banana Fun Park have joined forces to launch a new basketball tournament to be held early next year.

The inaugural Big Banana Coffs Classic is set to be held over three big days of basketball on 14-16 February in Coffs Harbour.

The carnival is a junior tournament, with Under 18s, Under 16s, Under 14s, and Under 12s Boys and Girls divisions.

The Big Banana Coffs Classic held its launch day on Sunday, 10 November, at The Big Banana.

Many Suns players, coaches and managers came out to get a photo at the Big Banana and to enjoy an afternoon of waterpark fun in what was a fantastic initiative to create some buzz about the collaboration.

Carnival organiser Luke Barry thanked those who had played a part in the launch of the Big Banana Coffs Classic.

“A very big thank you to the Big Banana for being our major sponsor and for also hosting this event today,” he said.

“A big thank you to the Coffs Harbour Mayor, Nikki Williams, for taking time out of your weekend to support this not-for-profit cause and supporting Coffs Harbour basketball.

“A thank you also to Moffee for taking time out of his weekend to be a part of this special day.

“To all our wonderful Big Banana Coffs Classic volunteers, thank you for all your hard work so far to get today and our tournament off the ground, we couldn’t do any of it without you.”

By Aiden BURGESS