By Dion Stergiopoulos
This week the St George Basketball Association (SGBA) announced another historic moment, which in turn will strengthen its ties with its Greek sister club Apollon Patras.
Back in February this year, SGBA announced a groundbreaking partnership with one of Greeks most successful basketball clubs, symbolising the shared commitment to the growth and development of basketball as a global sport.
With many exciting plans ahead, the collaboration has already opened doors for its athletes and is delighted to share its first milestone moment since the partnership began.
This week, Jaxon Jon Frintzilas will travel to Greece to become the first St George representative player to visit and trial with Apollon Patras.
Jaxon is a dedicated and talented guard and was a key contributor for SGBA’s Youth League Mens Red team this season.
His determination, leadership and consistent performances helped drive the team to a finals berth and one of its most successful campaigns in recent years.
Coaches and teammates alike have praised Jaxon for his commitment on and off the court, and that his trial in Greece is a well-deserved recognition for his efforts.
This opportunity reflects the growing relationship between the two clubs and the pathways they are working to create for their players.
During his time in Greece, Jaxon will be hosted by Apollon Patras assistant coach Konstantinos Tzamakos who has expressed his enthusiasm about his upcoming trial.
“I very much look forward to meeting Jaxon, welcoming him to Patras and exposing him to the high levels of basketball here in Greece,” Mr Tzamakos said.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for him to experience the professional environment of Apollon Patras and to understand what it means to compete at this level.”
The partnership between St George Basketball and Apollon Patras has been steadily growing over the past year, with both clubs recognising the benefits of cross-cultural sporting exchange.
General Secretary of Apollon Patras Aristeidis Zervas also expressed his enthusiasm in welcoming Jaxon to Greece and is excited to see where the collaboration between the two clubs will go.
“We have been in regular contact with our friends at St George Basketball, and we are excited to welcome Jaxon,” he said.
“This is just the beginning of what we believe will be a long and fruitful collaboration between our clubs, one that will continue to provide opportunities for athletes, coaches, and the basketball communities of both Patras and St George.”
For St George, this partnership highlights the organisations commitment to creating new experiences for its representative players.
SGBA General Manager Valerie Stoddart has recognised the importance for its representative players for further development and the various opportunities that they present.
“I am thrilled to see Jaxon take this next step,” she said.
“At St George Basketball, we are committed to providing our athletes with opportunities to develop, challenge themselves, and grow through unique pathways.
“Collaborating with Apollon Patras opens doors not only for Jaxon but for many more of our players in the future.”
The historical significance of this collaboration is not lost on the St George Basketball community and continues to be celebrated.
SGBA Treasurer George Aliferis is keen to open up more pathways between the two clubs that will benefit both clubs.
“It has been an absolute pleasure with the progressive team at Apollon Patras,” he said.
“Their club has a rich history, established in 1926, and holds a proud place in Greek basketball… Australian players have long had a connection with Greece, with legends such as Andrew Gaze suiting up for Apollon Patras during his career.
“We are excited to continue building this relationship and creating meaningful pathways that will benefit both organisations for years to come.”
This moment marks a new chapter for St George Basketball’s representative program.
With Jaxon’s upcoming trial, their collaboration with Apollon Patras is no longer just a partnership on paper – it is an active, working pathway that highlights the global reach and ambition of both clubs.
Jaxon’s head coach and SGBA Coaching and Schools Manager Luther Shannon states that he is looking forward to strengthening the collaborating between the two clubs over the coming years.
“As we look ahead to the future, we are confident this collaboration will only grow stronger, providing our athletes with world-class experiences while strengthening the bond between our communities in St George, Sydney and Patras Greece,” he said.
