IT COULD have been one of the biggest coups of the Canberra Centenary - the legendary Harlem Globetrotters lighting up the AIS Arena with their tricks and basketball razzle-dazzle in front of a packed house. But Basketball ACT's plans to host the team have fallen through. The Globetrotters decided Canberra's venue was too small for their travelling show. Basketball is one of the sports yet to find a suitable event to celebrate Canberra's 100th birthday. Officials set their sights high and had hoped the Globetrotters would accept an offer to play at the AIS in June. However, the Globetrotters only play in venues with 8000 seats or more, and the 4500 capacity at the AIS was too small. Canberra fans won't get a chance to see the famous show of spectacular basketball moves and tricks, nor hear the famous theme song Sweet Georgia Brown. Basketball ACT is still working on a potential NBL visit next season. Meanwhile, the Canberra Gunners will celebrate their 25th anniversary and 10 years on from their SEABL championship with a gala dinner in May.
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Cheeky Sailor
DUAL international Wendell Sailor didn't waste a chance to take a cheeky pot shot at Parramatta when former Eels skipper Nathan Cayless was part of the winning team at the Ricky Stuart Pro-Am. Accepting the award at the Ricky Stuart Foundation gala ball at Hotel Realm on Monday night, Cayless walked past Sailor, who chirped, ''It's about the only thing Parramatta's won in a while''. The major winner on the night was the foundation, with more than $250,000 raised to assist families dealing with autism.
Chain reaction
WHEN the Waratahs arrive in Canberra in the highly anticipated build-up for Waratah week, at least they will be dressed stylishly. As if we needed a reason to take a pot shot at the Brumbies' arch rivals, a press release about a new jewellery line designed by Waratahs players Tom Carter and Drew Mitchell landed on our desk. ''Using solid sterling silver and 9ct rose gold, each item in this unique collection has been expertly handcrafted to the finest quality,'' the release from Pendants Australia reads.
Much good that'll do the Tahs as they attempt to find a way past David Pocock and George Smith.
Williams off course
SERENA Williams knows her way around a tennis court, but the 15-time grand slam champion got a crash course in golf fan etiquette on Friday. World No. 1 Williams tweeted that she was taken to task by an official at the US PGA Tour's Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, for taking a picture of Tiger Woods in action. ''Apparently u can't take pics. This security for mad and yelled at me,'' Williams said on Twitter, although she still managed to get her shot of Woods on the 17th tee and posted it on the social networking site.
Hall's a big hit
FORMER Woden Valley Premier League player Darryl Hall, who played at Wembley for West Auckland Town last season in the FA Vase final, has sidetracked into a new pastime - mixed martial arts. Hall had his first MMA fight last weekend in the north-east of England and pummelled his hapless opponent in a mere 26 seconds. The tough-tackling centre-back showed a lot of aggression, forcing the referee to stop the fight early on.
Valeri relives days as local junior
THE latest addition to Carl Valeri's bookshelf will take pride of place in the Socceroos midfielder's Italian home. Back in Canberra while recovering from injury, Valeri was stunned to be presented with a book outlining the rich history of the Tuggeranong soccer club, where he played as a junior. The 28-year-old, capped 50 times in the national team, will miss the rest of Australia's World Cup qualification campaign and resume training in July with Italian club Sassuolo.
