IN PICTURES: Binar Futures bring popular basketball carnival and health embassy back to Great Southern

More than 80 basketball teams from across the State returned to Albany for the annual Binar basketball carnival, which was held at the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre on January 17-19. Age groups stretched from under-10s to under-18s, and Binar Futures founder and executive director Adam Desmond said the weekend was categorised by fierce competition and great sportsmanship. “The Great Southern Carnival is just growing every year, in 2024 we had about 70 teams and this year we’ve got 80-plus from all over the State,” he said. “It was a great weekend, I think a highlight for me was the under-10s grand final, the game went into extra time, and ended up being won by a point. “It was fantastic to see these young kids playing and being so passionate about their basketball.” The health embassy brings together a range of health services and professionals from the region to provide free information and health check-ups to players and families. Mr Desmond said more than 400 children registered for various health services and free check-ups across the weekend. “The embassy is always a hit at our regional carnivals, it’s something I’m really proud of being able to provide, and we’re bringing on new partners each year so we can provide more for the kids,” he said.