PRAHRAN SUMMER JAM
11:00AM TIP-OFF SATURDAY 4-FEB 2012
MSF Shout out to the Prahran Summer Jam! Posted Thursday 2-FEB 2012
Words by DC
Saturday the 4th Feb 2012 marks an historic day for Hoops Down Under. Melbourne's most passionate players will step foot on the blue surface at the infamous Prahran Park basketball court. 8 local teams mixed with some of Melbourne's most serious players, will battle head-to-head in this knockout event - the 1st Annual Prahran Summer Jam!
The most respectable element of this whole event is that the players themselves are stepping up big to make it happen. MC's, DJ's, writers and photographers are all coming together as one. To give credit where it's due, 21-year-olds Eamon Larman-ripon and Daniel Ella have been the driving force behind bringing PSJ to life. I've got a lot of emails over the years and met many dreamers talking about running events, though very few have had the MSF-spirit to fight for their hoop dreams and persevere through the challenges and setbacks. For some reason - it's not easy doing something positive, there's always something or someone that makes the process difficult, though never impossible.
In 2002, my friend Dre and I had a vision. We just finished highschool and both had this inner-fire that was sparked by our passion for the game of basketball. I remember it clearly - the first time we rocked up to the Prahran court. Busted rings, broken glass scattered across the rocky surface - it was full of hazards yet full of potential. The court inspired us to start-up MSF, the Major Streetball Foundation. For years we continued to knock on the Stonnington City Councils door, passionately pushing the case for an upgrade. We actually inspired companies Nike and And1 to cover the costs, they were ready to go, however the council preferred to apply for a government grant.
After 3 years of passion and persistence, the $70,000 grant was approved and the court was built - with a blue surface and spring-rings, just as we had sketched it up in our minds. The rest is history.
Having known Eamon and Daniel, the Prahran Summer Jam visionaries, since they were kids, meeting them at our events and growing up at the Prahran court, it's great to see these guys keeping the MSF dream alive - creating more opportunities for players and promoting the game we love to the next generation.
Sometimes we forget how much of an impact MSF has had. Sometimes seeing others make their dream happen helps remind us that anything is possible when you mix fire with passion.
MELBOURNE’S OWN STREETBALL TOURNAMENT
HIP HOP & DYNAMIC ATHLETICISM
Words by Abukar Ahmed Posted Tuesday 31-JAN 2012
Once renowned almost exclusively for its Skate Park and adjoining public pool, Princes Park’s now revered basketball court was nothing more than a run-down space for young locals to pass the time. However, thanks to the park’s revamp, today the Malvern Rd playground is anything but an after thought.
Through petitions and meetings with the local council, in 2004 MSF (Major Streetball Foundation) successfully lobbied the City of Stonnington to renovate the courts fatigued infrastructure pushing for better, accessible basketball experience for kids and streetballers alike.
Reinforcing the age old adage that “if you build it, they will come”, sure enough, it wasn’t long before the refurbished courts garnered a reputation as Melbourne’s (if not the nation’s) number one streetball venue. It quickly developed into a dynamic basketball sanctuary where Melbourne’s basketball aficionados congregate to hone their skills. In fact, such was its newfound stature that, only a year after its upgrade, the venue played host to a pick up game that saw a team of the courts regulars face the high flying and scintillating exploits of the world famous AND1 streetball team; a day before their sold out game at Vodafone arena.
On February 4th, the inaugural Prahran Summer Jam will put the esteemed culture of the Princes Gardens playground on exhibition once again, with a basketball extravaganza.
Inspired by New York’s streetball movement, organisers Eamon Larman-Ripon and Daniel Ella are going to fire up the Prahran Basketball courts next month with the first installment of Melbourne's landmark streetball event – The Prahran Summer Jam. The pair have gathered a team of inner city Streetballers, DJ’s, MC’s, Break dancers, designers and photographers who are all collaborating to create this first time event for a city where grassroots basketball is booming.
“It’s a great initiative, there’s no telling what an event like this can inspire” former Melbourne Tigers champion and NBL legend Darryl McDonald noted. “The next step could perhaps be a summer streetball league out there in Prahran”.
Now a naturalised Australian, the Harlem, New York native knows all about streetball and its merits.
“I’m from New York City, where you see kids playing ball at every park. I think there are a lot of things that you learn from streetball that you don’t necessarily pick up from coaches; it’s the rawest form of the game.” He added, “Streetball is essentially what made me a pro for 23 years”
The draw card of the event, the Summer Jam will feature a 5-on-5 sudden death streetball tournament in which 8 teams will vie for a cash prize of $500 donated by The City of Stonnington and the enviable title of Melbourne’s Streetball champions.
Complementing the basketball will be a host of the most talented musicians and dancers Melbourne has to offer with DJ Prequel, Eddie Mac and Wingnut along with 15-year-old phenomena Soliloquy. They will
be supported by break-dance crew Wickid Force and event MC, Derrick “Tater” McDonald to bring you a full day of hip-hop, street culture and of course, basketball!
Be sure to head down for a free, fun-filled day of music, fun and dynamic athleticism that's sure to be an excellent spectacle!
FREE EVENT Saturday 4 February 2012 from 11am, Transport: Running along Chapel St., the 72 & 79 tram stops are within a 2 min walk of the courts. Also, located on Greville St is Prahran train station, which is an only a 7-10 minute walk to the gardens.
Contact Daniel Ella m: 0422457473 e: daniel_ella_de@hotmail.com Prahran-Summer-Jam
