Annual clash of Townsville titans

First published 6 September 2012

The athletic skills of James Cook University will take on the might of the Army in the annual Battle of the Icons courts sports competition next week.

The annual basketball competition started in 2005 and has been played a total of five times, with JCU winning all 5.

A netball competition was added in 2010 with the Army winning the first game and JCU winning the title last year.

JCU Sport and Recreation Manager Jason Ansell said the competition grew from rugby games against the Army, which started in 2000, and it had grown since then.

“It has become a really good annual rivalry,” he said.

“It does get a bit competitive on the court, neither team wants to lose to the other, but the games are played in good sportsmanship.

“Usually it is younger students representing JCU but the Army have a mix of younger and older legs running around, which is great.”

JCU players will wear their traditional colours of blue and yellow, and the Army is decked out in red and black.

Mr Ansell said they were using this year's games as a tune-up before heading to Adelaide later this month for the Australian Unigames, but both JCU teams would have a few training sessions before they take on the Army.

“JCU also plays rugby men’s and women’s games in October, for the Chancellor and Commander's Cup respectively, which always draws a huge crowd.”

The court sports event was open to the public, he said. “It is free entry and is open to anyone, we'd love to see a good crowd.”

Mr Ansell said the Army would likely be keen to avenge their losses last year.

“We won both basketball and netball convincingly last year, I think the netball score was 73-4, and they won the first match in 2010, so you never know what team they put together.”

Battle of the Icons court sports competition

Mens Basketball and Womens Netball

Thursday, September 13.

From 1pm at the RSL Stadium, Murray Sporting Complex

For interviews or photos, contact Jason Ansell on 4781 4537 or mobile 0423 353 659.

JCU Media contact: Caroline Kaurila (07) 4781 4586 or 0437 028 175