Presidents report: 2024
Wodonga Basketball continues to be in a good financial position. The annual budget presented to the board has indicated that the next 12 months are however tight due to increased wages and projects.
We have 1200 registered participants which shows the growth in Basketball in our region over the past few years.
2022 - 957
2023 - 1169
2024 – 1200
Female participants gradually increased.
2022 - 231
2023 – 239
2024 - 252
We have had to cap the number of senior teams because we do not have the referees to referee senior games. We could have filled all 5 courts at 9:10 instead we have only 3 games and we have 7 teams on a waiting list. There are currently 41 teams.
I am proud of what the Board and WBA volunteers have achieved over the last year. In my years of being involved in various roles, the members of this board have been some of the best I have worked with and their dedication and passion for the sport have shown through the achievements we have made with sometimes differing opinions it can be tough, but we have got some great programs running and in place.
The Board reviewed and has updated the By-Laws, Representative guidelines and Modified rules and will continue to review guidelines over the next 12 months.
Some successful programs have been.
• 3x3 Competition
• Aussie Hoops
• School Sports Program
• Social Media Profile
• Junior and Senior Representative program
• Masters Tournament
This is the second year since 2017 that we have run the 3x3 competition this time holding it during the school term but will revert back to holding the event over the school holidays This will continue to be a school holiday highlight and we hope to progress this program into a senior 3x3 program.
Aussie Hoops continues to be popular with Blacklock Ford coming on Board as a Major sponsor for the program. We are running the program on Saturday mornings and thanks to Dave Mackinlay and the support from a great group of helpers, Aywen Urquart, Lily Wright, Braydon Taylor, Allira Cullinger and Harper De Koeyer. Their enthusiasm for this program is appreciated.
The Association had some excellent results during the Senior and Junior Representative seasons and many athletes being selected to attend state and National events.
Southern Cross Challenge – Maisy Moscrop, Jett Bradshaw, Sam Lupo, Sam Oguche and Lily Purss
Country Cup – Lily-Anne McClure, Lily Wright, Edward Ockenden
Jamboree – Maria Hanley, Siella Spierings, Quinn Cohen, Jagger Pendergast and Noah Pierce
Our Senior CBL teams finished 3rd in the conference for the Ladies and 7th in the conference for the men and we are looking forward to the upcoming season commencing in October Headed by Kylie Murphy and Tony Hill.
Wodonga held the Masters tournament in November last year with 20 teams participating in the two-day event this included 7 women's teams which was an excellent turnout. We received a lot of positive feedback from the event and look forward to hosting this again in November 2024.
Albury Wodonga Bandits – Wodonga had good representation in the NBL1 East Competition with Lizzy Murphy, Jess Freeman, receiving significant court time with the Lady Bandits. Our Youth League players include Molly Moylan, Sophia Kotzur, Lily Wright, Lily-Anne McClure, Crystal Holdsworth, Ben Skalic, Jack Fisher, and Alex Massey.
Alumni members of Wodonga we continue to acknowledge Steph Gorman, playing NBL1 for Cockburn Cougars and had a successful first year playing WNBL for Perth Lynx making it to the WNBL Grand final and being recognised as Rookie of the Year.
Sienna Harvey has also been rewarded for her hard work by being awarded the 2023 Victorian Junior Athlete of the Year. She is completing her third and final year at the Centre of Excellence in Canberra. Named the Most Valuable Player of the Basketball Without Borders Asia Camp. Represented Australia in the under-19 world championships in China and again was selected to represent Australia at the U17 FIBA Oceania Championships in Papua New Guinea.
Referee Program
Karin Berrysmith has been doing an amazing job coordinating the referees. With Oceana Dodds being selected to represent Wodonga at the upcoming Jamboree.
We currently have 64 Referees registered with WBA which has increased from 44 this time last year.
Some programs that have occurred over the year are.
• Return to the whistle.
• Player Recruitment
• Domestic Action Day before the Junior tournament
• 3 beginner schools
• 2 A Grade Referee Schools
• 2 B Grade Referee Schools
• Green Whistles Program – Once referees are out of green shirt, a green whistle identifies them as juniors.
All administration is now up to date with an extensive database, including banking and ATO forms. Certificates are awarded to referees achieving the next level and grade.
Currently, implementing a succession plan with the training of a couple of A grades to assist in supervising Thursdays or Fridays
A Few Thank You’s
Nic Conway departed the board and Rep coordination this year and I wanted to make note of his support and tireless work that he has done over the years.
I am sure he will always be around to bounce off and ask questions or tap into his wealth of knowledge and connections in the local and wider community.
Matt Bramich took on the vice president role and is the Child Protection officer for WBA. His level head and the support he gives me is constant and I appreciate all that he brings to the Board.
Jade Moscrop and Tye Speirings for picking up the Rep coordination, I know you have hit the ground running and have already made a huge impact on the Junior representative program. Jade, I love your drive and passion for the program and want to make it a positive experience for the Players Coaches, Team Managers and all involved in the coordination.
Tye taking on being a representative on the Albury/Wodonga Basketball Council, I am glad you are there at the table for these discussions.
Kaily Cullinger and her committee coordinating the Junior Rep Tournament it is a huge effort to run a tournament and takes months of organising. The smooth running of the event was because of your commitment.
Tim and Jake, even though you only joined the Board in recent months your passion and commitment to Wodonga Basketball is exciting, you are not shy to put your hand up for a job and always offer advice and feedback. I look forward to everything I know you will bring to the Board in the future.
Carmel, coming on board only a few months ago, it has been great to have you on board and we appreciate your professionalism, in collating meeting and agenda items.
Allyssa, treasurer, and often my sounding board, she keeps me on the straight and narrow. You continue to manage the governance and finance optimising the financial planning and the onboarding of new staff and the consistency of processes. Managing the treasurer role and all that comes with the position.
I want to acknowledge the local community for their sponsorship, particularly Big River Roofing, Blacklock Ford, and Ultimate Windows for their continued support of Wodonga Basketball, as well as the many small businesses who have supported WBA along the journey.
To our dedicated staff, Madi Zago and the Admin team, Karin Berry-Smith and her team of supervisors and referees, Brett Harvey Director of Coaching, and Mark Bywater, Bookkeeper. Thank you, the board acknowledges the hard work you do.
To the many volunteers who continue to contribute with little recognition. Mark Bywater for organising the score bench. The parents for coaching teams, scoring games or managing teams during rep season. THANK YOU. Our volunteers truly do an amazing job, and it cannot be said enough without your help our association would not be as strong as it is.
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