A message from the Club President

Welcome to the Melbourne cold of June and now grading is behind us the hot start of the season proper.

I've really enjoyed watching a number of our new teams learn the routines and rhythms of club basketball over the opening weeks of the season. For many players and families, everything is new. There are uniforms to sort out, training schedules to remember, scoring rosters to navigate and a whole new basketball language to learn.

At the same time, many of our more experienced teams are enjoying one of the great pleasures of community sport – simply being part of a team with likeminded athletes. The friendships have been formed, the routines are familiar and basketball becomes much more than what happens between tip-off and the final siren.

One of my favourite moments each season is watching new players find their feet. The player who barely speaks at the first training session slowly becomes comfortable enough to call for the ball. The parent who is nervous about scoring their first game is soon helping another new family understand the system. The team that begins the season as a collection of individuals gradually becomes a group that genuinely enjoys spending time together.

Those moments are a reminder that the real impact of community sport extends far beyond the scoreboard. While we love the competition, the wins and the occasional championship, what really matters is the confidence, resilience, friendships and sense of belonging that our players develop along the way. At Wattle Park Saints, that philosophy sits at the heart of what we do. Success is not simply measured by the result on a Friday night or Saturday afternoon. It is measured by how we support one another, how we grow together and how we help others become the best version of themselves.

One of the reasons sport captivates us is that it constantly reminds us what is possible when people stay the course. Many basketball fans would have watched this year's NBA Finals and seen the remarkable comeback by the New York Knicks. Trailing by 29 points in Game 4, with the championship hanging in the balance, many teams would have accepted defeat. Instead, they stayed together, trusted each other, and chipped away possession by possession until they produced the largest comeback in NBA Finals history. The lesson wasn't really about the scoreboard. It was about belief.

The same lesson applies in community basketball. A player doesn't master a new skill in a single training session. A team doesn't become connected overnight. Confidence isn't built after one good game. The rewards come from showing up, doing the work, supporting your teammates and trusting the process. That's true on the court, and it's true for clubs as well.

Strong clubs aren't built in a season. They are built over years by volunteers who invest their time, share their knowledge and help the next generation take over when the time comes. Which brings me to an important personal announcement. After much thought, I have decided that I will retire as President of Wattle Park Saints at our next AGM in April 2027. Serving as President has been one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences of my life. I have had the privilege of working alongside an extraordinary group of committee members, coaches, team managers and volunteers who care deeply about providing opportunities for young people to enjoy our game.

While there is still plenty of work to do between now and then, I wanted to provide plenty of notice so that we can plan for a smooth transition and ensure the Club continues to thrive.

We will therefore be looking for a new President to lead the next chapter of Wattle Park Saints. We are also seeking a new Treasurer to join our committee.

These are important roles, but they are also supported roles. Nobody steps into them alone. The strength of our Club has always come from people who are willing to contribute a little of their time so that hundreds of young people can enjoy the benefits of team sport.

If you have ever considered becoming more involved in the Club, I would love to hear from you. Whether you're interested in one of these positions, would like to learn more about what is involved, or simply want to explore ways to contribute, please feel free to contact me for a conversation.

The future of Wattle Park Saints will not be determined by any one individual. It will be shaped by a community of people who care enough to contribute. And when you consider the impact this Club has on around 500 young people every week, helping them build confidence, friendships, resilience and a sense of belonging, that's a pretty special opportunity.

As we move further into the season, enjoy the journey. Celebrate the wins, learn from the losses, make new friendships and continue supporting one another.

Brave, True, One.

Shayne La Combre
Club President

In this edition

Save the Date: Winter Presentation Day

Players Wanted

Introducing the Summit Sports Complex

School Holiday Basketball Camps

Wanted: Your Old Saints Uniforms

Thank you to our Sponsors

Dates to remember

Save the Date!

Winter Presentation Day

Pop it in the diary, Winter Presentation Day will be taking place on Sunday 27 September! Held at Forest Hill College, the event will include awards, pizza and fun on the courts to celebrate another fantastic season of basketball. Watch this space for more details!

Players Wanted!

We have teams needing more players! We've got a couple of spots available in Under 11 Friday night boys teams. Do you have a basketball- loving kid keen for another weekly game or a friend interested in joining the mighty Wattle Park Saints? Then please reach out!

Drop us an email to find out more.

Introducing

The Summit Sports Complex

In exciting local basketball news, Nunawading Basketball announces The Summit Sports Complex:

A new home for sport, community and connection at Forest Hill Chase.
For months, people have been asking what is taking shape on Level 3 at Forest Hill Chase. Truthfully, it may have been the worst kept secret in basketball.

Now it has a name.

The Summit Sports Complex.

While this marks the naming of Nunawading Basketball’s new three-court facility, it signals something much larger than a venue announcement. It represents a belief that sporting infrastructure can do more than accommodate participation – it can shape identity, strengthen community and create new possibilities around how sport connects with place.

Read more about Nunawading Basketball's brand-new three court facility on their website.

International Sports Camps

Winter Basketball Camps

Wondering what to do these holidays? Our incredible sponsor, International Sports Camps, have another great deal for Wattle Park Saints families on their fantastic basketball camps! Save 30% using the code WS30. Hurry, camps start soon! Various locations and dates are available, including Canterbury, Box Hill and North Balwyn. Head to the website to book.

Wanted: Your Old Saints Uniforms

Do you have an outgrown Saints uniform sitting in your cupboard? Then please donate it to the Club for reuse! Your old singlet or shorts can be added to our loan stock which assists to kit-out new players while they wait for their uniform to arrive from the manufacturer.

Please e mail the Club to organise dropping off your pre-loved uniforms.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

We are very grateful to our wonderful 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.

Community Bank Inner East

We are pleased to have Community Bank Inner East as a sponsor. They share their profits with the local community so clubs like us can benefit. Please contact Kate Bellamy for all your banking needs.

M: 0478 435 736 E: kate.bellamy@bendigoadelaide.com.au.