Phoenix Exceed 10,000 Students for GameTime by Kmart

When the South East Melbourne Phoenix entered the NBL impacting on the community of the South East was to be one of the pillars of the club. That commitment continues today and is exemplified in the many community programs the club runs.

One of which is the NBL’s Game Time by Kmart, the Phoenix are proud to announce that in just six months, they have exceeded the NBL’s annual goal of 10,000 participants.

GameTime by Kmart is a chance to bring the NBL experience to the school yard. Kids are able to learn and play basketball and even meet their favourite NBL stars in a fun, friendly, and inclusive environment.

(Coach Mitchell helping out at a GameTime by Kmart at Flinders Christian Community College.)

“With the interrupted couple of years due to COVID-19, it’s finally good to see our players and coaches back out in the community and interacting with the kids,” Phoenix CEO, Tommy Greer said.

“We pride ourselves on our community work and it’s an amazing achievement that our Community Team has had this reach with GameTime by Kmart. All at the club are proud of this accomplishment.”

The Community Team visited 26 schools across South East Melbourne throughout terms one and two with thousands of prep to six students learning about the game, developing new skills and meeting their NBL heroes.

The work doesn’t stop there, with the Phoenix Community Team planning to visit 28 more schools across terms three and four with an estimated 10,000 more students participating in GameTime by Kmart.

(Kyle Adnam handing out prizes at GameTime at Upper Ferntree Gully Primary School.)

“Being out in the South East community is enormous for the whole club including the players. We’ve missed it the last few years with the COVID-19 restrictions we had to endure,” head coach Simon Mitchell said.  

“It’s the grassroots of basketball in Australia here in the South East. To be back amongst the schools you see all these kids, you can see the kids that are already playing basketball at this young age. It’s just beautiful to be back amongst them.”

CLICK HERE to register for Phoenix to visit your school for GameTime by Kmart.

Phoenix Media (13/7/22)