Tag Archives: basketball

Wake up Wildcats

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Wynyard Basketball Association provided a 12 week program to local kids from 8-16 years of age from the Wynyard community, primarily focused on better health and activity using basketball as the vehicle.

The club funded specialised coaches to run the programs, as well as utilising the clubs high profile player, Jacinda Lambert. Training started at 6:00 am with up to 25 kids participating in the 90 minute sessions. Healthy eating and hygiene were also promoted through the provision of shower facilities and a healthy breakfast following training.

Brooke’s story

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Regular physical activity has always improved my life. Luckily I grew up with two supporting parents, encouraging me to participate in various sports I enjoyed. From AFL to athletics, basketball, hockey or just swimming at the local beach or skateboarding/rollerskating around home. As an adult I enjoy mountain bike riding, surfing, jogging and bushwalking and I know it keeps my mind and body functioning in top gear. I’m grateful to my parents for this gift and hope to pass it on to my two year old son.

Lincoln Birch’s story

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Photo of Lincoln Birch and family.

At 12.00 pm on March 16, 2011, with my partner Karen and my family by my side, I was transported from my hospital bed to the operating theatre to undergo a life-changing procedure. The operation itself did not take long, but my life afterwards would change forever. On that day, my heart was repaired with a successful quadruple bypass. I was 36. Recovery was slow and steady, but my ultimate goal was to get back to playing basketball again. I knew the road ahead would be a long and painful one. So I decided the best plan of action was to join a gym. I signed up and immediantly asked for a personal trainer to help me operate the machines and to lead me in the way I should go, concerning my health and fitness. Priscus, my personal trainer, was patient and understood my goals and worked on achieving them in a timely manner.

Photo of Lincoln and Karen Birch.

It’s been over 12 months since my operation and almost 12 months since I joined the gym. My enthusiasm and drive to be better than what I was before has allowed me to accomplish my goals and surpass them. Since attending the gym I have lost 6 kgs, lost 10 cm around my chest, reduced the size of my waist by 15 cm and even gained muscle and strength. My blood pressure has dropped to normal standards, my blood count has resumed normality, and my cholesterol has dropped to be in the normal bracket as well. The biggest gain is wearing clothes that I like and that fit me better.

Overall my energy levels have increased, giving me more time with my family. I am also more alert at work, which converts to being more productive. And most importantly, I have less time and appointments with doctors, which is saving me money and time off from work. Being physically active has given me a new lease on life. I have achieved my goal of playing basketball once again and enjoy the freedom it brings.

So if I can do it, so can you.

Mike Gaffney’s story

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Photo of Mike Gaffney.

Latrobe Masters Basketball Tournament

As an older person (52 years), I am well aware of the challenges in maintaining an adequate fitness level and healthy lifestyle. As a reasonably successful athlete in a range of sporting pursuits, and a trained physical education teacher, I have always been supportive of providing opportunities for people of all ages to access recreational and sporting events.

In 2003, I was at the age of withdrawing from Senior Coastal Basketball primarily due to my work and community responsibilities. Whilst not being able to play basketball on a weekly basis, I thought I could still provide an outlet for older basketballers to play, if only over a weekend tournament. Therefore in 2003, I organised the only masters basketball tournament in the state.

The tournament is held in Latrobe every year, usually in late September. The first year, nine teams (males and females) played all of their games at the Latrobe Basketball stadium. This year (2012) will be the 10th anniversary of the tournament and three basketball courts will be utilised in both Latrobe and Devonport. Our record for the most teams is 28.

The masters age group for ladies is 30+ and for gents it is 35+. We also offer a category called “Golden Oldies”, where the team needs to have an average age of 50 years. The whole weekend is very social and players and supporters look forward to catching up with each other.

All players donate an item for a raffle and this, combined with door fees and registrations, raises $3 000 – $4 000 for the Latrobe Junior Basketball Association.

The Latrobe Masters Basketball Tournament has created a physical activity and a social opportunity that didn’t exist anywhere in Tasmania. Individuals and teams come from across the state to participate. There are different grades to cater for individual differences in ability and experience, and the playing rules have been modified slightly to ease the wear and tear on the body and to allow the game to flow smoothly.

The Latrobe Basketball Association members are a wonderful and hardworking group and they volunteer their time over the weekend.