Greater Shepparton Basketball Association Feature 2015

GREATER SHEPPARTON BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

Launches 42nd Year of Events Celebrating 40th Anniversary of the annual Junior Tournament 1.

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ASSOCIATION’S LONG, SUCCESSFUL HISTORY… 1. From left, three of the Greater Shepparton Basketball Association’s longest members and all life members, Irene Young, Mal Watt and Judy Bogdan who are all still heavily involved in the association today. 2. Early days of the GV Giants. 3. Early founders of the association and players from the 1970s team. 4. The GV Giants 1990 team. 5. The CBIVL (now CBL) 1989 team. 6. The Under 14 team from 1993. 7. The 1980s women Mooroopna Basketball Association team. Photos: Supplied.

Greater Shepparton Basketball Association;

a history of building a successful drawcard for the region FOR the past 42 years, Greater Shepparton residents have been cheering on our basketball stars while they have dribbled the court to success, brought about by the 2,000 plus people involved in the Greater Shepparton Basketball Association (GSBA), who are all working together and building on the successful drawcard for our region that is basketball.

Having officially been formed out of the amalgamation of the Shepparton Basketball Association (SBA) and Mooroopna Basketball

Association (MBA) in 1984, the GSBA story actually goes back as far as 1969/70.

The SBA players took to the courts of the Drill Hall under the guidance of inaugural President, Dick Clayton until the stadium was built in 1982. But the building of the stadium didn’t come without its hiccups. The original building contractor went bust and construction came to a halt until the user bodies; basketball, badminton and table tennis agreed to fund a loan taken out by council for building to

recommence. Down the track, extensions were made and the stadium, that draws more than 6,000 people to the region each year, is as it stands today.

The Mooroopna Basketball Association was formed following a public meeting held on January 16, 1973, with Sal Phillips beginning as the association’s inaugural President. John Ryan, Stan Watt, Ray Nioa, Frank Kool, Neil Young, Danny Allan, also each held the office Continued on page 22 in the following years.

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1244 Wednesday, April 1, 2015 – Page 21

GREATER SHEPPARTON BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

Launches 42nd Year of Events

Celebrating 40th Anniversary of the annual Junior Tournament

Greater Shepparton Basketball Association;

a history of building a successful drawcard for the region

RANGE OF GREAT EVENTS… The junior local grand final day is just one of the fantastic events run by the Greater Shepparton Basketball Association.

GATORS TAKE TITLE… The Shepparton Gators men’s team took out the Big V Basketball Championship title last year, which was the first time the team had done so in 11 years.

Photos: Supplied.

continued from page 1 of liftout BRIAN Law was the association’s Secretary for the first year, followed by Val Hayes for the next seven years. In 1982, Irene Young took over from Val until the amalgamation in 1984. Irene began as Junior Registrar in 1979 alongside the then President, Ross Harbeck in late 1984, remaining in the position, and that of Administrator, until 2009. The Mooroopna Midget Association, which is much like the current Under 10s was formed around the same time with June Gosstray, Helen Slattery and Henry Beks heading the group.

During the first five years of MBA, many of the Shepparton basketballers chose to play over the river, but when it came to playing representative basketball, some of the Mooroopna players wished to play under the Shepparton banner, which caused a lot of initial problems. Due to the towns being so close it was a no brainer to form a united association to run the representing teams before the amalgamation and the forming the Shepparton/Mooroopna A.B.A Inc. At the time of the two associations’ amalgamation, Don Wormwald was the association President, doing a six year stint alongside Secretary, Ross Harbeck.

As a proven success to the association, players coming from this area who have been nurtured and trained by the GSBA have gone on to play in national level teams or on the South East Australian Basketball League including Gary Trotter, Roger Smith, Brad Dowling, Aneka Kerr, and Gemma Kerr, Caitlin Shadbolt, Merle Saunders Matt Bartlett, Jaqueline Kitto and Madeline Garrick

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What’s on this year MORE than 30 Greater Shepparton Basketball Association events run throughout the year, with the Greater Shepparton Basketball Association local competition for Winter kicking off on April 20 and the local competition for Summer beginning in September.

But there are more than just competitions that the teams play, with a range of camps also helping players build on their skill levels, to become top athletes.

From the North East Academy Camp, 80 Under 14 athletes from north east Victoria will be given the chance to build on their skills through the camp’s specialist training on May 16 and 17 this year.

On July 18 and 19, the National Intensive Training Camp Selections will see 200 athletes trying out for elite program training.

October 10 and 11 will see 240 athletes attend the Golden Nugget Camp to try out for selection to the Southern Cross Challenge and the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup. But of course one of the most popular events of the year are the Big V games. You can find a full calendar of the Big V games below.

For a full list of tournaments, competitions, camps and school holiday programs, visit www.foxsportspulse. com/assoc_page.cgi?assoc=13 Date

Venue

Saturday 2nd May at 7.30pm

Shepparton Sports Stadium

Shepparton Gators vs. Casey Cavaliers

Saturday 16th May at 6.00pm

Shepparton Sports Stadium

Shepparton Gators vs. Mildura Heat

Saturday 23rd May at 7.30pm

Shepparton Sports Stadium

Shepparton Gators vs. Keilor Thunder

Saturday 30th May at 7.30pm

Shepparton Sports Stadium

Shepparton Gators vs. Latrobe City Energy

Saturday 21st June at 3.30pm

Shepparton Sports Stadium

Shepparton Gators vs. Camberwell Dragons

Saturday 27th June at 7.30pm

Shepparton Sports Stadium

Shepparton Gators vs. Melton Thoroughbreds

Saturday 5th July at 12.00pm

Shepparton Sports Stadium

Shepparton Gators vs. Geelong Supercats

Saturday 11th July at 7.30pm

Shepparton Sports Stadium

Shepparton Gators vs. Warrandyte Venom

Saturday 18th July at 7.30pm

Shepparton Sports Stadium

Shepparton Gators vs. Sunbury Jets

Launches 42nd Year of Events

Celebrating 40th Anniversary of the annual Junior Tournament

GREATER SHEPPARTON BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

Want to get involved with one of the region’s

biggest economic boosting associations?

THE Greater Shepparton Basketball Association (GSBA) and its players strive for success both on and off the court, and realise that without the support of the community and the development of its junior players, it would be much more difficult to achieve their goals, reach new levels and take home championships.

Currently, the association has several sponsorship options available including being a Competition Sponsor, GSBA Signage Sponsor, GSBA Sponsor Partners or Player Sponsor.

As well as assisting one of the region’s most important economic

boosting associations, some sponsorship packages provide great benefits such as your business logo on all player and stadium uniforms, signage display at Shepparton Sports Stadium, promotion on television, radio and print advertising, listing on the Shepparton Gators and GSBA websites, listing and one promotion on the Shepparton Gators and GSBA Facebook and YouTube sites, logo in all Big V and CBL home game programs and documents, mention in all speaker announcements during games, the opportunity to distribute promotional material at home games, placing of business

logo in all email promotions to members and visiting teams, an opportunity for GSBA and Gator players to appear at your business’ promotional events, exclusive tickets to nominated home games, including free entry, prominent seating and drinks and nibbles as well as email promotions to GSBA members.

To be involved as a sponsor, contact manager@gsba.com.au or phone Tony Long on 0402 424 811.

Far Left: JUNIORS TAKE TO COURT… The Shepparton Show Annual Junior Tournament helps to bring more than 3,500 visitors to the region to watch 160 teams battle it out on the court.

Left: GATORS ON HOME TURF… The Shepparton Gators men’s team taking to the court at their home grounds, the Shepparton Sports Stadium.

Photos: Supplied.

The association’s competitive streak THE GSBA, has for the last 20 years, had local competition in both seniors and juniors across seven clubs, as well as squad junior teams competing across the state representing this region and a senior representative program. This has been a training ground for elite athletes who have gone on to now be very much recognised at a state level.

Local Competition The association’s membership base is in excess of 2,000, with two seasons; a Winter and Summer season that is inclusive of over 100 teams of both senior and junior players throughout the year. This number also includes life members, administrators, referees, coaches and team managers. The teams play on four nights throughout each term, with some of the senior competitions playing out over school holidays.

Squad Representative Sides (Junior Gators) There are approximately 150 players aged between 9 and 17 years involved in the junior teams. In 2001, development teams for all age groups were introduced to establish and foster skill development and succession planning for a wider range of juniors. Each player in Division 1 or the development team is expected to pay their own expenses when participating at tournaments such as court fees, travel, accommodation and meals.

In December each year, Shepparton hosts a junior tournament that attracts teams from all over the state including Melbourne.

All teams have voluntary team managers and coaches who are backed by a large parent body.

Senior Men’s and Women’s Competitions (Gators) From humble beginnings, the club has progressed to the Big V League of the Australian Basketball Association, second only to the National Basketball League. This competition now includes some 70 odd teams across the state of Victoria and is a leading foundation for the sport.

The Gators Men have a very successful history, including scoring four championships (1994, 2000, 2001, 2003) and two runner-ups (1993, 2002), while our Lady Gators have one championship (2003) and one runner-up (2004) under their belts.

2015 Tournament Timetable March 7 and 8 - Bill Muir Koori Tournament – 77 teams with 800 competitors and some 2,000 visiting spectators.

April 10, 11 and 12 - Gold Stars Under 14 Basketball Victoria Country Championships 76 teams from across the state with 800 to 1,000 competitors and 3,000 visiting spectators.

May 2 and 3 - Shepparton Show Me Annual

Masters Tournament for Fun and Social Activity – approximately 20 teams and 300 to 400 visiting spectators.

December 4, 5 and 6 - Shepparton Show 40th Annual Junior Tournament – approximately 160 teams expected with 3,500 visiting spectators.

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1244 Wednesday, April 1, 2015 – Page 23

Launches 42nd Year of Events

Celebrating 40th Anniversary of the annual Junior Tournament

GREATER SHEPPARTON BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

MASSIVE ECONOMIC BOOST… The Greater Shepparton Basketball Association’s Shepparton Show Me Annual Junior Tournament helps to bring between 3,500 and 4,000 visitors to the region and with them a massive economic boost.

CROWDS FLOCK TO REGION… The local economy receives a $2M boost when more than 7,000 people flock to the region to watch, support or participate in just three of the Greater Shepparton Basketball Association’s tournaments. Photos: Supplied.

$2M economic boost through just three tournaments THE Greater Shepparton Basketball Association’s (GSBA) tournaments provide more than just a great sport, they help to bring more than a $2M economic boost and more than 7,000 people to the region through just three of their tournaments.

This year, the GSBA is expecting to bring at least 6,000 visitors to town, and that’s just between the Bill Muir Koori Tournament, the Under 14s Basketball Victoria Championships and in December, Shepparton Show Me 40th Annual Junior Tournament.

With more than 1,300 local members, from the junior leagues right up to the Gators, the tournaments see visitors from as far wide as Ararat, Orbost, Ballarat, Phillip Island, Bellarine, Poowong, Bendigo, Sale, Castlemaine, Churchill, Colac, Swan Hill, Mildura

and more as well as some closer regional towns such as Benalla, Seymour and Echuca.

In 2014 more than 7,000 people played, watched or assisted in stadiums around Greater Shepparton during these events alone. Out of those, 239 were surveyed by the GSBA, which revealed that 26.47 percent of players attended GSBA events with one non-competing person, 30.25 percent of players attended GSBA events with 2 noncompeting people, 34.87 percent of players attended GSBA events with between 3 and 6 non-competing people, 56.03 percent of visiting groups stayed in paid accommodation in Greater Shepparton, 71.79 percent booked accommodation with recommendation from the GSBA directly or via the GSBA’s marketing materials and

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relationships with competing basketball associations, 16.81 percent stayed one night and 48.71 percent of groups stayed more than two nights.

Greater Shepparton City Council estimate that the overnight average expenditure per person is $110. With that in mind 25.44 percent of those surveyed said they had spent between $100 to $250 during their stay, 38.16 percent said they spent between $250 and $500, 30 percent spent between $500 and $1,000, 55 percent of respondents said they spent their money on retail, shopping, 25 percent visited local attractions and 65 percent ate at local cafés and restaurants between two to four times during their stay.