IT'S not often the worlds of politics and basketball combine but that will be the case tomorrow when Dubbo State MP Troy Grant and mayor Mathew Dickerson take to the court.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Both men are involved in a charity match which will act as a curtain-raiser to the Waratah League clash between the Dubbo Rams and Lithgow Lazers.
The Rams annual charity night will once again raise funds for local cancer charity Pink Angels, with the pollies lining up on teams featuring representatives from local police and ambulance crews.
While Grant is a former police officer he will link with the ambulance team while Dickerson will join with the constabulary for the fixture.
The mayor was strangely absent from yesterday's photo opportunity, however Grant had a theory as to his rival's whereabouts that is sure to add to tomorrow's hostilities.
"I've got no doubt Mathew is down trying to get some tips from the Sydney Kings," he said.
"Mathew does this all the time. We had an art competition where we had to do painting and he went and got two weeks of lessons and now he's off probably getting some instructions from the Kings.
"He always tries to get an advantage and I rely on my natural talent and usually beat him anyway."
In Dickerson's absence, Detective Senior Constable Robert Jackson and Detective Senior Constable Sue-Ellen Scott stepped in for the photo and Grant admits he is looking forward to taking on some of his former colleagues.
"I'm used to battling in the bearpit of parliament but taking on the likes of 'Jacko' will be daunting, you just have to look at the size of the man," he said.
"But it's all in the name of a good cause, the Pink Angels, and congratulations to the Dubbo Rams for putting it on. It's a pleasure to be involved.
"I'm not good at dribbling a basketball but my political opponents would say I'm good at dribbling in parliament."
The charity match, which will be accompanied by various raffles and auctions on the night, will be a curtain-raiser to the main game between the high-flying Lazers and a Rams side looking to rebound from a loss against Wagga last weekend.
Grant Cole will coach the Dubbo side in the absence of Jay Forrester, who will front a NSW Basketball hearing on August 6 after being charged by a referee following a verbal altercation in a recent match.
Tomorrow's charity match will commence at 3pm at Dubbo Sports World, with the main game to tip off at 5pm.