Page 65 - 2022 BWA ANNUAL REPORT

We have seen newly appointed committee members of all positions being able to rally members and drive success on the court within a positive culture in both Eaton Basketball Association, Donnybrook, Manjimup, and Nannup.
With growth comes our most pressing issue is court space for playing and training. It is exciting to see Facility expansion plans at differing stages at the Leschenault Leisure centre (Australind Basketball Association home.) with (2) extra courts being proposed. The Bunbury Basketball Association is in major discussions with the Bunbury Shire for a stand-alone initial (4) court facility and the Busselton Amateur Basketball Association is in direct talks with the shire deciding where there proposed 3-4 extra courts are going to be.
Margaret River Basketball Association has driven an exciting new outdoor space to provide extra training and playing facilities which will also benefit the whole community. It will include (2) courts that other sports can use as well, BBQ areas and spaces that will provide a positive, fun space for the community’s youth and others to use. The aim is to start construction in 2024.
The “Belt Up” message and the sponsored basketballs were received very positively in the region and provided an opportunity for our volunteers to share their world with the local members who have the power to make change, over 1500 basketballs were handed out!
The BWA Primary Schools Slam Series is a huge hit in the South West with 2 extra events planned in 2023 and the first planned for the Peel area of Byford/Pinjarra/Waroona.
A great relationship has been built with Slammers inaugural Development Officer, Alex Ciabattoni, and me. Alex has revived the relationship between all associations and the Slammers with her great knowledge and engaging friendly ways. Slammers had record numbers at their clinics held at Eaton, Margaret River and Bridgetown with over 180 players attending. Alex also has set up Slammers first Aussie hoops programs and weekly development programs in several schools throughout the region.
Alex ran her first Regional Carnival where again they had record numbers with approx. 150 teams competiting.
Aussie Hoops or hybrid programs of the same age is being brilliantly run by local volunteers. New programs with approx. 200 plus kids have commenced in Harvey, Bridgetown, Byford, Eaton, Waroona, Nannup and in 2023 expect more new programs in Busselton, Dunsborough, Collie, and Margaret River.
BWA and the South West Wheelchair Sports Committee supported the inaugural Winter Wheelchair Competition held over 10 weeks which was a huge success with approx. 50 athletes competing in 4 teams. BWA also supported the first wheelchair referees course held for local referees a great success with over 10 referees attending. 2023 will see the same competition run and then run in conjunction with the 2023/2024 local domestic summer season.
There are no Junior Domestic Winter basketball competitions in the Region due to no court space. (because of netball) It is run in a hybrid fashion and done very well in at the Bunbury Basketball Association and Bridgetown Association. One 2-hour skills/drills and games on a Monday and shooting sessions in the early morning. This was supported very well with approx. 80 kids participating in both programs. This structure is set to be replicated elsewhere in the region in the Winter of 2023.
There is discussion now of how to set up a Junior Regional Basketball comp during the winter and also Eaton Basketball Association may be running a Friday night junior winter comp in 2023.
Referee Courses, both level O and Level 1 were completed and held “throughout” the region to help tackle distance being a deterrent. All associations are feeling the pressure of “not enough” referees and Referee Coaches. Going forward this is the highest priority in the Region to address including discussing ways with all associations to create a strategy to stop the abuse of referees by spectators and coaches.
Coach education sessions (not accreditation) were run around the region for all our inexperienced Mums, Dads, Brothers and Sisters who thankfully put up their hand to coach. They received very positive feedback with over 150 volunteers attending. They promoted having a simple training plan, it must be fun, positive reinforcement and coach on the run anyone can coach. The sessions showed a mock training session that was relatable to Regional training conditions which are 7 players, half a court and 45mins training time and how to make teaching fundamentals fun through game play.
We also ran one Club Coach accredited course attended by 22 coaches and 3 coaches attend the level 2 coaching course held in Perth.
It has been great helping Dave, Dan and Darren of the High Performance Dept by running SPP Sessions regionally. This is saving travel for athletes out of the Bunbury area and in the future if able to run more HP Pathway programs regionally will be of a great benefit to regional families. Helping with the burden of travel and financial pressures.
The highlight for all Country Associations is the Country Championships weekends with record numbers of 360 plus teams BWA’S Nathan, Hugh and Dan do a fantastic job just making it work!
Our Region was represented very well with South West/ Peel associations winning (14) from (18) Jnr Boys Championships.(9) from (18) Jnr Girls Championships.(4) from (6) Senior Men’s Championships and (2) from (5) Senior Women’s Championships.
Looking forward to the 2023/2024.
“The Belt Up message and basketballs
were received very positively in the region and provided an opportunity for our volunteers to share their world”
4 TEAMS 10 WEEKS
Inaugural Winter Wheelchair Competition.
First wheelchair referee course for local referees.