Westpac Coffs Harbour support Youth Tournament

Over 300 water sippers have been donated by Coffs Harbour's Westpac Bank to the 2010 Youth Tournament.

Secretary General Steve Smith was presented with the donation by local Bank Manager Michael Crossland.  The water sippers will be shipped to Noumea for distribution to the participants of the Youth Tournament.

Local Westpac Bank Manager Michael Crossland recently handed over 300 water sippers to Steve Smith of the regional basketball federation FIBA Oceania, as part of the bank’s support for the 2010 FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament. Later this year, more than 180 basketballers, representing 8 countries from around the Pacific will meet in Noumea, New Caledonia for FIBA Oceania's 8th Youth Tournament.

Westpac Manager Crossland said, “We were approached by Secretary General Steve Smith to see if we could help them with their development programs across the Pacific.  Westpac has a presence in many of the countries where FIBA Oceania operates.  Since so much of their work is done with young players we looked at ways we can assist.”

“As the local Bank Manager, I run the local branch like my own business.  This includes making decisions about which community groups to support. We have studied the programs run by FIBA Oceania and admire what they have been able to achieve on a modest budget and I am excited to be supporting their work”.

“We have discussed with FIBA Oceania how we can help them achieve their goals and further co-operation is likely.”

Karen Carter, Regional Manager of Westpac was recently in Coffs Harbour for discussions with FIBA Oceania and has undertaken to assist the organisation to submit a proposal for greater support from the Pacific division of the Westpac Bank.