Edition 24 - June 2025
A message from the Club President
Winter Season Away – Eyes on the Ball.
The winter season is now in full swing, with grading just about complete following our first six rounds and then the season proper will really get underway. It’s important for us all to appreciate that the grading process is a challenging one. Like much of domestic basketball, it relies on the hard work of a few dedicated volunteers. With a huge growth in team numbers and player registrations—around 940 teams, with 7–8 players per team—the sport is thriving and that is fantastic for basketball, but it does add to the complexity of trying to get every team in the right slot.
Grading is always a mix of art and science, trying to consider countless variables to group teams as evenly as possible. Each week brings new player combinations—someone’s away, someone returns, someone’s new to the team. That means teams can look very different from one week to the next. So, while the system may not be perfect, but we need to let the process run with patience and ready to make the most of the outcome.
Last week, I had the pleasure of attending our Junior Coaches Induction. It was inspiring to see our new coaches take their first steps on the coaching journey. A big welcome to all our first-season coaches! The session was led by Graeme Kelly and our new Junior Coaches Coordinator, Paul Kneebone. Thank you to Paul for stepping into this vital role. Junior Coaches—please don’t hesitate to reach out to Paul for support and guidance. We’re also working to expand coaching resources, so keep an eye out for updates. All coaches make sure you’re on the WhatsApp group for all coaching news. Paul will continue in his current role as Saturday U17–U21 (B&G) AGC while transitioning to focus fully on Junior Coaching. We’re excited to welcome Sumeet Mathur, who has kindly agreed to take over that AGC role—great to have you on board, Sumeet!
On court, I’ve been really impressed by the intensity, energy, and spirit shown by our Wattle Park teams. Win or lose, they’ve competed with focus and pride, showing real basketball character. I’ve already seen some concerning coaching behaviour from other clubs—but I’m proud to say our players are leading by example. They’re staying locked in on the game—not the referees, and not the opposition. That’s what it means to play the Wattle Park way. It’s not always easy, but Saints do not get distracted by things that do not help our game —we just play our way.
In basketball, what matters most is what happens next. That mindset shows resilience and maturity—and it's what great teams are built on.
Just a reminder about where it can end. We’ve had three behavioural tech fouls this season. Another one for any of those players will mean suspension. Let’s all aim to finish the season with no more. You need to stay composed, disciplined, and team-first. There is no good time to be suspended and leaving your team a player down is no way to respect your teammates.
Finally, a small courtesy that makes a big difference: please clear the benches quickly after your game to allow the next teams to get on smoothly. Post-game chats are important, but they can happen on the side lines or outside.
Let’s keep playing with purpose, representing our club with pride, and supporting each other through the season ahead.
Shayne La Combre
Club President
Go Saints - Brave, True, One
In this edition
Introducing new Junior Coaches Coordinator, Paul Kneebone
Profile of Coaching Service Award Winner, Ben Beard and Assistant Coach, Anna
School Holiday Basketball Camps
Thank you to our amazing sponsors and a special offer for Junior Coaches
Dates to remember
Introducing new Junior Coaches Coordinator, Paul Kneebone
Thank you Paul for taking on this key role. Paul (pictured above) introduces himself and shares his basketball story as well as some fabulous tips with us.
Hi Saints family,
I’m really excited to be taking on the Coaching Coordinator role for the club. There’s three main reasons for my excitement:
1. Basketball is awesome! As a player and coach from way back, basketball has had such a positive impact on my life. I hope our kids and families also experience the positive impact of this fantastic team sport.
2. Coaches are so important! They play a massive role in our kids’ lives. I’ve had some wonderful coaches who have impacted my life beyond the basketball court. A good coach is remembered forever.
3. Our Saints community is amazing! Our club can only function because of the incredible dedication of passionate volunteers – coaches, team managers, scorers and committee members. It’s a pleasure (and a lot of fun) to be part of your community.
I’ve been involved with basketball for nearly 40 years now, which is showing my age a little. One of the things I love so much about basketball is that you never stop learning, particularly as a coach. Every player has their own unique thing that a coach can help unlock, if we put in the time and energy to discover it. In the spirit of learning, I’m keen to meet our coaches and understand how our club can support you, so I’ll likely introduce myself at some trainings and games.
In the meantime, thanks for everything you do and please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.
To finish, I’d just like to share a couple of handy coaching resources:
1. The Junior NBA YouTube channel has some awesome drills here
2. The Mojo sports app is a great tool for planning training, drill and more
(thanks to one of the parent coaches for sharing this one)
Go Saints!
Paul Kneebone
Profile of Coaching Service
Award Winner, Ben Beard and
Assistant Coach, Anna
This month we catch up with the dynamic father/daughter duo, Ben and Anna Beard (pictured above at the Presentation Day).
Could you tell us a little about yourselves – which teams have you coached, and how long have you coached for?
Ben: I've coached the U12, U14, and U15 boys teams at Wattle Park Saints over the past seven seasons. It's been a rewarding experience working with the players and teams as they develop both their skills, confidence and love for the game.
Anna: I'm Assistant Coach of the Saints Boys U15. This is my 4th season coaching.
Can you tell us about your journeys with the Club?
Ben: My son began playing for the Wattle Park Saints in the U8s. At the time, Adam Brett was coaching the team and he continued through U10. When Adam moved on to coach his younger boys' teams, I had the opportunity to step in as coach for the team from U12 onwards. It started as a way to stay involved and support my son, but it quickly grew into a rewarding role where I could contribute to the team and the club community.
Anna: I went to a couple of games, wrote down some stats, designed an MVP award and gave it out to the best teammate each game.
What are some of the most memorable moments from your coaching careers?
Ben: There have been many great moments over the years. Watching the players enjoy their basketball, grow as teammates, and build camaraderie has been incredibly fulfilling. Whether it's seeing a player score their first basket, pull off a new skill in a game, or make a selfless pass to a teammate in a better position, there have been many enjoyable experiences across each season.
Some moments stand out more clearly, game altering charges, clutch rebounds, last second buzzer beaters, holding onto a one point lead with vice like grip on the ball, and celebrating shared success at the end of seasons. But what’s meant the most has been watching the players' effort, determination and perseverance.
One particularly special memory is when my daughter joined us as an assistant coach, the team welcomed her with respect and created space for Anna to deliver her insights and post-match addresses. That kind of inclusion and respect from the boys will stay with me long after any result is forgotten. At the end of season celebrations the team, supported by Jo Cooke as TM, presented Anna with a custom assistant coach top, that is worn with pride to training and matches.
Anna: When I gave the MVP award for the first time, the look on their face, they are so supportive of each other.
What advice would you give to new coaches or those looking to contribute to the Club in the ways you have?
Ben: You really do get out what you put in. Volunteering to coach not only helps the team exist, it creates a space where kids can enjoy the sport, grow their confidence, and learn teamwork. Creating an environment that’s safe, inclusive, and fun is most of the role. You don't need to know everything, you’ll learn as you go, and the team will teach you just as much as you teach them.
Anna: It's a fun experience, I really enjoy it, you will too.
Thanks Ben and Anna for sharing these wonderful insights!
School holidays are coming!
Once again our friends at International Sports Camps are offering a great deal for Wattle Park Saints families on their 3 day basketball programs – save 30% by booking now at iscamps.com.au.
Be sure to enter the code to access the discount: WPS30
Hoodies on sale
Warm up this winter with a Wattle Park Saints Hoodie! Grab one today! Buy one for $45, down from $65.
Our Sponsors
We are very grateful to our sponsors – thanks to these sponsors, we have been able to provide top-notch coaching and development, along with coaching kits to our young aspiring Junior coaches in our community. This support has not only improved their confidence, leadership and basketball skills but also instills valuable life lessons around teamwork, discipline, perseverance. It's heartening to see this positive impact and how sponsorship makes a difference.
Thank you to our season sponsors
Community Bank Inner East: We are thrilled to announce a partnership with the Community Bank Inner East, and would like to thank Community Bank Inner East for their support. Over $9.5 million dollars has been invested in the local community since 2003. This, and many other projects in our local community may not have happened without this support. We encourage you to consider the Community Bank for your banking needs.
Junior Coaches: Open an account at a local Community Bank Inner East branch and receive $50 to kick-start your savings! More details about this special offer from the Community Bank will be hitting your inboxes soon!
Pizza & donuts : 668 Canterbury Rd Surrey Hills. www.pizzarepublica.com.au
The Prefurred Groomer: https://theprefurredgroomer.com.au/
ABAX Accounting: Contact John Hearn jehearn@hotmail.com
PICAC: A unique industry-led training centre with campuses located in Brunswick, Geelong and Narre Warren Contact: info@picac.edu.au
Camberwell IGA : 1401 Toorak Road Camberwell
Everything's Connected Progressive Osteopathy
734 Riversdale Road Camberwell
International Sports Camps: https://iscamps.com.au/
Benetas is a leading not-for-profit provider of residential aged care, retirement living, respite, in-home and community services.
Share your game day pictures
We would love to receive any game pictures from our Monday, Friday and Saturday Teams, so we can celebrate the players, coaches and WPS community in Halo and on our Facebook & Instagram pages.
We’re always on the lookout for any pictures of our players in action. You can send these to us at info@wattleparksaints.org.au or through Facebook (WattleParkSaints) using Messenger.
Make sure you let us know a little about the match and the players.
Close Action shots are great, team shots with Coaches are even better!
Dates for the diary
King’s Birthday weekend: Saturday 7 June – no games
Monday 9 June – no games, no training
Last Monday night game before School Holidays: Monday 30 June
Last Friday night game before School Holidays: Friday 4 July
Last Saturday game before School Holidays: Saturday 5 July
Mid- Season Break: 6 July – 18 July
Games Resume from Saturday 19 July
*Fixture has not yet been confirmed, dates and rounds are subject to change
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