Lake Haven Expansion

Iron Tigers expands northern Central Coast basketball programs following more than 80 expressions of interest

Iron Tigers Basketball Club is expanding its presence across the northern Central Coast in Term 4, following more than 80 expressions of interest from players and families interested in joining the club’s growing Lake Haven programs.

The expansion will see Iron Tigers delivering a broader range of basketball opportunities at Lake Haven Recreation Centre, with new Wednesday programs joining the club’s existing Sunday development sessions and four teams competing in the centre’s Friday night competition.

From Wednesday 14 October, two Iron Tigers programs will operate back-to-back at Lake Haven.

Iron Tigers Connect, our new all-abilities inclusive basketball program, will run from 4:30pm to 5:15pm, followed by a new Wednesday session of Stripes Academy from 5:15pm to 6:00pm.

The Wednesday Stripes Academy will complement our existing Sunday morning Stripes Academy, which will recommence in Term 4 from 9:00am to 9:45am, followed by team training from 9:45am to 11:00am.

Iron Tigers Director Matt Shorrock said the response from families had reinforced the need for more accessible basketball opportunities in the northern Central Coast.

“We knew there was interest in bringing more Iron Tigers basketball to Lake Haven, but receiving more than 80 expressions of interest has shown us just how much demand there is.
“Rather than simply entering more teams, we want to build something sustainable. That means providing different ways for people to get involved, whether that’s learning and developing through Stripes Academy, participating through our new inclusive Connect program, or progressing into one of our competition teams.”

Iron Tigers will have four teams competing at Lake Haven on Friday nights in Term 4, supported by their regular Sunday morning team training.

Our expansion in the north will also extend beyond Lake Haven Recreation Centre.

Iron Tigers will recommence its after-school basketball program at Lakes Grammar School in Warnervale in Term 4, with the program aimed at Year 3 and Year 4 students.

The school-based program provides another accessible introduction to basketball for younger children, with opportunities available through Iron Tigers programs for those who want to continue playing and developing beyond their school sessions.

“One of the things we’re trying to build is a genuine pathway into basketball across the northern end of the Coast,” Shorrock said.
“That can start at school through a program like Lakes Grammar, or through Stripes Academy. Connect provides an inclusive environment for participants of all abilities, and then we have our competition teams for players who are ready for that next step.
“The aim is to make it easier for families in the north to find a place to start and then have somewhere to keep playing and developing.”