O'CONNOR-CUKIER CUP The biggest game on the NBL1 calendar for Eltham and Diamond Valley is tonight! Welcome to our neighbours from Diamond Valley as we see the four teams play for the “O’Connor-Cukier Cup” in recognition of two family names associated with these two great clubs. From the moment a Wildcat or Eagle pulls a representative singlet on in juniors, it is engrained that the aim is to beat the other and this carries right through to NBL1, the power programs of the north and north-eastern area. There is rivalry, but there is also great respect in what both have achieved in basketball and the opportunities that they both afford to juniors through to adults in our beautiful part of Melbourne. The Victorian MP for Eltham Vicki Ward is with us tonight and she can take a lot of credit for helping our two associations push forward with increased facilities through our region. Once again, I’d like to thank Vicki for her support of the Montmorency Secondary College stadium expansion, the St Helena Secondary stadium expansion and upgrades and I have no doubt Diamond Valley feel a similar way with their upgrades and expansion.
Tonight’s round of NBL1 however is bigger than just basketball as we take the opportunity to reflect on the legacy of the ANZAC’s and those who’ve fought for our country both here and on foreign lands. We welcome back to the club tonight veteran Joel Sardi who’ll be involved in our pre-game ceremony for the Women’s match, whilst a Greensborough RSL member will join us for the Men’s pre-game ceremony. Joel is a past Wildcat junior player and member of our administration program before he served abroad and we’re incredibly proud to welcome him back to the home stadium for the first time for this occasion. We’re honoured to have this opportunity to host these games tonight here at Eltham High School.
Both Eltham and Diamond Valley have taken financially responsible models into the 2021 NBL1 season. Certainly for Eltham we see these teams as the pinnacle of our program, but never at the risk of the entire club. As we come out of COVID the aim was to maintain all of our programs for all levels and we’re pleased to have been able to maintain the NBL1 and to do so in a responsible manner, with eyes not just to 2021, but ensuring the teams have a place long into the future of the Eltham Wildcats Basketball Club.
With both the Eltham Women and the Diamond Valley Men recording wins last week and their respective opposition going down in competitive circumstances, tonight promises to bring you two super matches! No doubt there will be much to prove, plenty of passion and an eagerness to be on the right side of the scoreboard at the end of the night.
Please sit back and enjoy a great night of basketball and make plenty of noise as the best of Eltham and Diamond Valley play in this ANZAC eve special, playing for the O’Connor-Cukier Cup.
We will remember them Lest we forget
Greg Jeffers Chief Executive Officer