Edition 29 - November 2025
A Message From the Club President
Summer 2025–26 is well underway, and we are about to conclude grading — which means we are heading into the season proper and starting to collect those all-important championship points.
A big thank-you to all our Team Managers and Coaches who have found a spot for an extra player this season. We have welcomed a number of new families to the Club, and I am so glad you have chosen to take this stage of your basketball journey with us.
Basketball is special because it brings people together. No matter where you come from or how long you have been playing, being part of a team means belonging — and that sense of connection is what makes our sport so beautiful, especially in a time when so many alternatives lack meaning or purpose.
Many will know the story of LeBron James, who grew up in Akron, Ohio, USA. Life was not easy, but everything changed when a local coach invited him to join a youth basketball team. Through the support of his teammates and coach, LeBron discovered confidence, purpose, and direction — lessons that shaped his life far beyond the court.
It is a reminder that inclusion is not just about playing a game — it can truly change lives.
At Wattle Park Saints, our Club values — Inclusive (All are welcome), Supportive (Work with others to achieve common goals), and Strive to Achieve (Work hard to do your best) — guide everything we do. Every time we make space for a new player or encourage someone to keep improving, we are living those values and strengthening our Club. Let’s keep that going — because every opportunity we create today can shape a player’s future tomorrow. Who knows where that might end up!
A couple of match requirements are still tripping up some of our athletes as we prepare for games - particularly uniforms. There is nothing worse than losing game points due to a uniform violation, or worse, being unable to play.
Uniform requirements are detailed on our website.
A common misunderstanding is that any black shorts are fine. The key issue is that they must be zip and pocket-free to avoid catching fingers during play. It never hurts to have a spare pair in the coach’s bag - they might look a little oversized on some of the younger players, but it is far better than being benched. With grading ending, please ensure all players have the correct Wattle Park Saints singlet and shorts. Any issues, please contact our uniform coordinator: uniforms@wattleparksaints.org.au
Another challenge during grading has been the use of fill-ins, which in some cases has even led to walkovers. The Club website provides detailed information on fill-in rules.
While we do our best to accommodate playing requests, this can mean some teams end up predominantly made up of players from the same school or friendship group. When school events clash with games, it can be hard to field enough players — and walkovers carry a $150 penalty.
Avoiding a walkover is always preferable and can be done in three ways:
Play for points by recruiting fill-ins from within the Club (for example, Friday players filling in on Saturday). These players must comply with the Fill-In Matrix — essentially, they must come from a lower age group;
OR
Be an unregistered (with anyone), age-appropriate player.
OR
You can elect to not play for points (forfeit) and avoid the walkover by using any age-appropriate player. We need to notify the Association if we want to do this and you can do this by letting me know. If that situation develops at the game just let the referees know. This is where that uniform in the coach’s bag is helpful.
Plan ahead. Teams that consistently avoid penalties usually have a list of reliable fill-in players. Using the TM group chat and connecting with mirror teams (Saturday equivalent Friday) is a terrific way to find players consistently interested in an additional game.
In the past many issues have been resolved with moving a game time and getting an earlier or later game. We will still try this if feasible but given the number of teams and the number of playing coaches this becomes harder. Essentially getting fill-ins comes down to planning in advance, not always possible with a team stripped by injury or illness.
Congratulations to the members of the Wattle Park Saints family who received Representative call-ups this season! Some late notifications caused a few team adjustments, but we are proud of every player’s achievement.
We currently have a couple of openings in Friday U11s — if you know someone keen to play, please getin touch.
A huge thanks to our sponsors for continuing to support the Club:
Bendigo Bank is offering our Club $1500 for every member who takes up or transfers a home loan. Bendigo has already contributed more than $5000 toward our coaching development. If you are considering a home loan, please take a look — it could benefit both you and our junior program.
Glenferrie Meats is once again sponsoring our Christmas Ham fundraiser, donating $10 per ham sold. Orders are now open — all I can say is get amongst it!
As we move into the season proper, I want to thank everyone — coaches, team managers, parents, and players — for the time, energy, and heart you put into the Club each week.
Here is to a fantastic season ahead.
Shayne La Combre
Club President
Go Saints - Brave True One
In this Edition
Bendigo Bank Update
Team First Leadership session
Players Needed
Christmas Ham Fundraiser
School Holidays are coming
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Junior Coach Community Bank Special Offer
Uniform Update
Dates to Remember
Bendigo Bank - Sponsor Update
Thank you to our valued sponsor Community Bank Inner East for their incredible support of our Club.
Our Club’s number 1 sponsorship focus is with our local Bendigo Bank. Simply put, to continue to support our Club's Junior Coaching program, which has grown from 10-15 coaches in 2022 to 42 coaches this current 25/26 season.
We all value our Junior Coaching program and the development of our young people, the cost of this program to date is via sponsorship contributions. This season, the Junior Coaches program will be $18,000 approximately in coaching payments.
SAINTS have a unique opportunity to receive $90,000 in sponsorship from the Bendigo Bank over the next 3.5 years. Additionally, another $20,000 per annum x 3 years for Club uniform sponsorship.
Team First Leadership Session
We are thrilled to be able to offer another excellent opportunity for our players and Junior Coaches from Salt Sport and Life Training, with thanks to the generous support from the Bendigo Bank.
This session is designed to explore the power of sportspeople to apply the strengths they develop in sports to life off the field. In sports, everyone leads at times during a game or competition. The same applies in life – at times we are all required to lead. A good leader develops strong relationships, leads by example, demonstrates humility, holds others accountable, and is empowering
Date: 21 January 2026
Time: 7.30pm - 8.30pm
Location: Nunawading Basketball Centre, Burwood Highway
Please register your attendance: RSVP here
Players Needed
U17 Saturday Girls
Our U17.2 Saturday girls team is in need of an extra player or two. They are a wonderful, welcoming group, currently with 5 players on the team. If you or someone you know would like to join the team, please contact AGC Brad Cahill at Brad.Cahill@woodplc.com.
U11 Friday Boys
Due to some Rep call ups our Friday U11 teams are now after a couple of players. If you are a Saturday player looking for an extra game or new to Club please contact Shayne La Combre at shayne@picac.edu.au.
Christmas Ham Fundraiser
Wattle Park Saints are proud to support one of our major donors Glenferrie Gourmet Meats, Josh & Luke Neilson, both have a long history with Wattle Park Saints as players and now as coaches.
Glenferrie Gourmet Meats are offering our club their Boutique hams which are ethically sourced from Gourmet Otway Pork. These quality hams are hickory smoked and a delicious addition to your Christmas Feast.
PRICING
Whole Ham on the Bone (min 8kg) $160
Half Ham on the Bone (min 4kg) $90
Club receives $10 from each Ham sold
Orders close 5 December and pickup will be approximately one week before Christmas or you can opt for your own pickup from Glenferrie Gourmet Butcher Hawthorn.
Don't miss out! Order your scrumptious ham online today:
School Holidays are coming!
Once again, our sponsors International Sports Camps are offering a great deal for Wattle Park Saints families on their fantastic 3 day basketball programs over the summer holidays. Save 30% by booking now at iscamps.com.au, using the code WS30.
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 instils 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
The Community Bank Inner East is much more than just a bank, with 60% of their profits reinvested back into the community!
Reach out to Kate Bellamy to help with your banking needs, including a handy 'home loan health check', a check-up for your home loan to make sure it is still right for you. Details can be found in the image below.
Junior Coaches Special Offer from Community Bank Inner East
Hey Junior Coaches! Don't forget that you are eligible for a $50 bonus when you open an account at the Community Bank. Check your inbox for details!
Pizza & donuts : 668 Canterbury Rd Surrey Hills; www.pizzarepublica.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
Community Bank Inner East
Benetas is a leading not-for-profit provider of residential aged care, retirement living, respite, in-home and community services.
Camberwell IGA : 1401 Toorak Road Camberwell
Everything's Connected Progressive Osteopathy : 734 Riversdale Road Camberwell
International Sports Camps: https://iscamps.com.au/
Uniform Update
Please ensure your loan uniforms are returned when your new player uniform arrives. They can be returned to Club Secretary, 2 Chilcote Court Box Hill South - washed and placed in the zip lock bag provided.
Do you have an old Saints uniform that you no longer need? Then please donate it back to the Club! These are added to the Club's uniform stocks and are helpful to kit-out new players while they wait for their uniform order to arrive. This is a great way to upcycle outgrown basketball gear, while helping reduce quality items being sent to landfill.
Please reach out via email if you have any uniforms to donate.
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
Final Games before Christmas Holidays:
Friday night: 12 December
Saturday: 13 December
Monday night: 15 December
Team First Leadership Session: 21 January 2026, 7.30pm - 8.30pm
Games Resume 2026:
Friday night: 30 January 2026
Saturday: 31 January 2026
Monday night: 2 February 2026
Fixtures can be found on the Wattle Park Saints website.
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