Introduction
The basis of the club's operation is captured in the vision and values statements adopted when the club was established in 1997.
"St Michael's Basketball Club aims to provide children with fun times, development of self-esteem, and an understanding of teamwork and a sense of community through participation and the development of skills. The club is run by the parents for the children. It offers equality of opportunity for all, encourages sportsmanship and positive attitudes. It aims to complement but not rely upon the school."
Management
The club is part of the St Michael's Association which governs all the sporting bodies at the school. The club itself is managed by a committee of parents nominated annually at the annual general meeting held in the later part of the year. The Committee is formed with an Executive (President, Secretary, Treasurer and St Michael's Association Representative) as well as the Age Coordinators from each year group.
Finances
The club is a not for profit organisation . It aims to be self sufficient in funding, maintaining a small working capital surplus from annual player fees after payment for equipment, training and trophy presentations. The club assists towards the payments required for tournament participation ie: player entrance fee etc when appropriate.
Playing Arrangements
Northern Suburbs Basketball Association (NSBA) runs the Basketball Competition called "Miniball". Match times are from 8am (U8s) through to 6pm (13s) on a Saturday with the U10s and U12s running between 9am to 4pm. These times fluctuate each season, as timing is dependant on the number of teams registering in each age group.
The Club also runs a successful “Rep Prep” training program through for players interested in taking their skills to the next level and possibly trialling or playing for a Norths representative. These sessions appeal mainly to Under 12s and Under 13s players and will be continued in 2010 depending on level of interest and participation.
Match Venues
The Northern Suburbs Indoor Sports Centre (Rooftop) is situated at the corner of Oxley and Hume Streets, Crows Nest (above the Council car park) and is the venue for most games. Some age groups may play at Willoughby Leisure Centre. There is ample parking available at both venues.
Training & Skills Program
In Term 1 and Term 4 training within teams is compulsory - there is no training offered for the Miniball 2 Winter competition as this is the “off-season” competition. Training is held at the school courts.
A parent supervisor is required at each training session and every family who registers their child for basketball agrees to assist with this task on a roster basis. Parents or carers are responsible for signing their children out of training at the conclusion of each training session – the supervising parent will mark their names off a role and will not allow the children to leave the training venue without this occurring.
The Club also offers a popular introductory skills training program for Kinder and Year 1 children run after school in terms 2 & 3. Registration for this usually open at the beginning of Term 2 and the registration form for this program can be downloaded direct from the website. Notices will also appear in the Michaelian newsletter and all Kinder and Year 1 children will have notices sent home in advance about the program.
For further details, including the current team training schedule, please go to the Training section in this website, here.
Uniform
The basketball uniform (blue shorts and vest with white trim) can be purchased at the school uniform shop.
Coaching and Managing Our Teams
The club has enlisted the services of Daniel Fischer as Consultant Coach and Pat Wilson as Head Coach. Both work with the “Step Up” Program, a carefully tailored program which ensures that the children receive continuity and consistency in their training as part of an overall method of training and match skills that will be transferable through the school's teams and various age groups. Pat will also continue to implement a skills program for younger players and a “Rep Prep” program for those players who might wish to pursue basketball to representative level or simply to take their skills to a new level.
Pat co-ordinates the after-school weekday training under Daniel's guidance.
Read about Daniel & Pat here.
A parent(s) acts as the Saturday match coach. Each team also has a manager, who coordinates the team's communication and looks after the roster of parents to help with the scoring.
Parents not directly involved with the management or coaching of teams will be asked to assist their children's team by undertaking scoring duties. The team manager will roster parents and this will mean being asked to score once or twice a season.
Communication to Parents
At the beginning of each new Miniball season the club issues a registration form and information sheet to every family with a child currently registered with the Basketball Club as well as placing a notice in The Michaelian directing new families to the website for a registration form. The Club will also email its members from time to time with necessary information. As well, the Club distributes Team Lists at the beginning of each basketball season which contain all player and parent contact details so as to assist parents, players and the school in the communication process.
Representative Players
For the more skilled players there is the opportunity to attend trials for selection in Eastern Region, McKillop and PSSA teams. These are school-based competitions. In addition, there is a representative path via trials for selection in NSBA representative teams that compete in competitions sanctioned by the NSW Basketball Association.
All enquiries should be referred to the Club’s President, Damian Scroope, at scroope@aic.net.au |
