A Message From the Club President

Welcome to the 2025–26 Summer Basketball Season!

It’s just the best to be back on court for another fantastic season of junior domestic basketball. In just a few short weeks, we’ve managed to get around 70 teams onto the boards and have over 500 players enjoying this great sport. It’s incredible to see the continued growth of basketball in our community — the Association now has 672 Saturday teams (+38) and 315 Mon–Fri teams (+24).

With that growth comes a little more pressure on training and playing venues. We do our best to accommodate everyone, but there are limits to the number of training spots available. We’re big supporters of kids being involved in multiple sports, junior coaching, and other activities, and we know
schedules can be tricky. Finding training that suites our coaches and all players can be complicated but we will try to do our best but we all need to be flexible.

This season, the Association has made Child Safety a major focus. Across all sports, there’s a strong push to ensure young athletes are supported in safe, positive environments. Our Association is committed to leading the way in this space.

At Wattle Park, it should be no surprise that we’re fully on board here. This includes meeting increased requirements for Team Managers, Coaches and Committee Members, such as completing the Sport Integrity Child Safeguarding Course. Thank you to everyone who’s already stepped up to complete these important steps.

Another key focus this season is behavioural standards. Last season saw an increase in reports from games involving spectators. This year, the Association has made it clear that there will be stricter enforcement.

Please remember:

No parent or spectator may approach referees, the score bench, or opposition players — before, during, or after games.
If you have concerns, the Team Manager is the only person who should raise them.
Breaches can and will result in loss of competition points.

We’re proud that Wattle Park has a strong reputation as a “no dissent” club, and I want to thank all our teams for upholding that standard. Respecting referees, officials, and each other ensures the game remains positive for everyone. No good comes from the alternative.

The Association has introduced revised concussion protocols to further protect players. These guidelines will be enforced during games this season. For more information, please visit our website.

We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to Sumeet Mathur, who is stepping down from his AGC role, and a warm welcome to Brad Cahill, who will now be looking after the Saturday U17–19/21 (B&G) teams. Thank you both for your commitment to our club and our players.

Last week, I had the privilege of sitting in on the season’s coaches’ induction. The session was well attended, and it was inspiring to hear the passion, energy, and commitment from our coaches. A big thank you to Paul Kneebone for pulling the session together, and to every coach who steps up to guide our players each week.

A good coach does more than teach basketball — they shape teamwork, confidence, and resilience. Many of us can remember a coach from our own childhood who made a lasting impact, not because of the wins or the scores, but because they believed in us. That’s the spirit that makes this Club special.

Legendary coach John Wooden once said, “A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.” As a young player, Wooden nearly gave up the sport after a rough season. But his high school coach took the time to pull him aside, encouraged him, and told him he had something special.
That moment stuck with him.

Years later, Wooden became one of the most respected coaches in basketball history — not just because he won more NCAA titles than anyone else, but because he focused on character, respect, and teamwork. Players often said his greatest lessons weren’t about basketball at all, but about how to live well and support each other.

That’s exactly the kind of positive influence our coaches can have. Every word of encouragement, every moment of support, every time they remind a young player that they matter — that’s what builds a strong Club culture for sure but it also builds better people.

Here’s to an exciting, safe, and respectful season of basketball.

Shayne La Combre
Club President

Go Saints - Brave True One

In this Edition

Winter Season Presentation Day

3 x 3 Fun Day

3 x 3 Logo Competition

Coach Induction

Scam Alert

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Junior Coach Community Bank Special Offer

Uniform Update: Discount Hoodies!

Dates to Remember

Winter Season Presentation Day

Thank you to our wonderful Saints families for coming along to another terrific Presentation Day on 21 September. We had a sensational representation at Deakin University to celebrate the end of another fantastic season.

Congratulations to all teams on an outstanding Winter Season! This year, the Saints achieved:

• 64 teams in total

• 44 teams into the Semi Finals

• 19 teams into the Grand Finals

• 9 Premierships

A massive thank you to all our incredible helpers for making the afternoon run so smoothly. Your energy, support, and teamwork are what make days like this possible.

A special thanks to our friends at Pizza Republica in Surrey Hills, Victoria for once again delivering the most delicious pizzas — your ongoing support is so appreciated.

A heartfelt thank you also to our amazing Club Secretary, Ellen Grouios, for her tireless work behind the scenes. Ellen’s dedication and attention to detail ensure everything runs seamlessly, and our club is stronger because of her.

The Coaching Awards are a particularly special part of our Presentation Day recognising those players who play the Wattle Park Way:

The Good team player – does team things, sets a good example for others
Always has a positive attitude – no poor body language or complaining
Likes acknowledging another player’s good play or effort
Coachable – turns up on time, listens, takes instruction, respectful to coach, team mates and match officials
Contributor – does their best irrespective of ability, always trying, puts in effort
Volunteers – assists coach, helps at Club events.

A big shout-out to our junior coaches for your energy, leadership, and commitment to the Saints community — you are the future of our club!

We also recognise the recipients of our Milestone Awards, which honours commitment, loyalty, and contribution to the Saints over many seasons.

Congratulations once again to all of our award winners, players, coaches, and volunteers for a fantastic season. Here’s to another season of Saints spirit, success, and community!

COACHES’ AWARDS

Monday Girls

Girls 9.1 Grace Jelly

Girls 11.1 Marley Neilson

Friday Under 9 Boys

Boys 9.1 Leo Li

Boys 9.2 William Joseph Holbrook

Boys 9.3 Alex Cheah

Boys 9.4 Finnian McKenna

Friday Under 11 Boys

Boys 11.1 Leon Purtell

Boys 11.2 Euan Devers

Boys 11.3 Charlie Johansson

Boys 11.4 Yusuf Nasir

Boys 11.5 Tim Banam

Boys 11.6 Daniel Armanyous

Boys 11.7 Charlie Shen

Boys 11.8 Leo Kim

Friday Under 13 Boys

Boys 13.1 Ned Hall

Boys 13.2 Oscar Greenland

Boys 13.3 Will Gregory

Boys 13.4 Jayden Tan

Boys 13.5 Emerson Rodas

Boys 13.7 Lucas Huang

Boys 13.8 Taurn Srikanth

Friday Under 15 Boys

Boys 15.1 Ben King

Boys 15.2 Raynard Li

Boys 15.3 William Pollock

Friday Under 17 & Under 19-21 Boys

Boys 17.1 Jack Spowart

Boys 17.2 Mylo Perera

Boys 17.3 Ethan Dus

Boys 17.5 Callum Bui

Boys 19-21.1 Jamieson Perree

Boys 19-21.4 Toby Myers

Saturday Under 11 Girls

Girls 11.1 Edwina Haussegger

Girls 11.2 Lottie Gorell

Girls 11.3 Olivia Silvers

Girls 11.4 Matilda Casey

Girls 11.5 Isabella Cameron

Saturday Under 13 Girls

Girls 13.1 Alice Donahoe

Girls 13.2 Hattie Campbell

Saturday Under 15 Girls

Girls 15.1 Ava Perry

Girls 15.2 Anjyelika Marjanguli

Girls 15.3 Eliza Whiteoak

Saturday Under 17 Girls

Girls 17.1 Charlotte Gill

Saturday Under 19 Girls

Girls 19.1 Fleur Kelly

Saturday Under 9 Boys

Boys 9.1 Daniel Saw

Boys 9.2 Patty Sierakowski

Saturday Under 11 Boys

Boys 11.1 Tripp Teoh

Boys 11.2 Byron Wong

Saturday Under 13 Boys

Boys 13.1 Felix Postregna

Boys 13.2 Zander Brosolo

Boys 13.3 Kian Jayalath

Boys 13.4 Lachlan Clark

Boys 13.5 Arian Prasad

Saturday Under 15 Boys

Boys 15.1 Jonathan May

Boys 15.2 Oliver Brett

Boys 15.3 Nathan Kan

Boys 15.4 Alex Young

Boys 15.5 Zac Patterson

Boys 15.6 Liam Grist

Saturday Under 17 & 19 Boys

Boys 17.1 Torben Granzow

Boys 17.2 Olly Thorburn

Boys 17.3 Callum Augier

Boys 19.1 Bailey Gillespie

GAME MILESTONES

100 Game Recipients

Alex Burn

Will Buxton

Hugh Chambers

Khalil Copp

Hattie Dowson

Alasdair Fairbairn

Jacob Gillespie

Hugo Goulding

Ehan Abib

Liam Hueston

Paddy Jobling

Teddy Walkenhorst

Oliver Kan

Rhys Lanigan

Ayrton Lepp

Jasper McCarthy

Jack McKenzie-Trout

Josh Ovoa

Josh Pereire

Jake Pratt

Oliver Purtell

Charlie Shepherd

Jack Spowart

Teoh Tripp

200 Game Recipients

Eden Mendes

Charlotte Agars

George Bateman

Ed Carne

Tilly Howell

Daniel Howlett

Lorcan Kelly

Eloise Knight

Alice Mackinnon

Alannah Ng

Lila Stanaway

Otto Voshege

Declan Wealands

Alex Willenberg

Winter Season 2025 - JUNIOR COACHING AWARD

Congratulations - Emily Thorburn

3 x 3 Fun Day!

Back by popular demand, the 3 x 3 Fun Day after the Presentation Day at Deakin University was a roaring success! It was a fast-paced, energetic contest with boys and girls of all ages giving it their all on the courts. Go Saints!

Thanks to all players for joining in the fun and of course to our team of helpers that made this event happen!

3 x 3 Logo Design Competition

Calling all emerging designers amongst our Saints family! We need a logo to promote future 3 x 3 Fun Days. Flex your design muscles and possibly win a $100 debit voucher! Contact the Club for more details.

Coach Induction

Over 20 coaches gave up their Sunday afternoon to attend our Coach Induction on October 5, a fantastic turnout that further demonstrates how committed our coaches are to their teams and players.

This season we have a particularly high number of junior coaches coming into the ranks - for our Club, this is such an important way to not only develop our players into coaches, but to help them develop into well-rounded, connected and committed young people.

Of course, our parent and adult coaches deserve a big shout-out as well. It's one thing to take on responsibility for the sporting development of your own child, and quite an added level of commitment to add 6 or 7 other kids who aren't your own into that mix.

Coaching is very rewarding. It's also often challenging - of course, that's part of the reward. As a club, we're incredibly grateful to all our coaches for taking on the challenge.

It possibly goes without saying, but as Coach Coordinator my hope is that all parents provide their coaches with as much support and positivity as they can muster. No coach is perfect, but through the mere act of turning up each week and trying their best, our coaches are showing a great deal of courage. This is particularly the case for our junior coaches...not that a group of 13 years olds wouldn't be intimidating for anyone.

So on behalf of the club, I'd like to thank our coaches for putting their hand up and to all parents and players for supporting them. Here's to a great season!

Paul Kneebone, Coach Coordinator.

Scam Alert

The Club has been alerted to possible scam attempts targeting members of our basketball club.

These scams may come through emails, text messages, or social media, pretending to be from the club, one of our committee members or other officials. They may ask for payments, personal information, purchase gift vouchers or the like or banking details.

Please remember:

The Club will never email or message you asking to forward money, purchase gift cards, or buy anything on its behalf directly.
All official payments go through our approved club channels only.
Registration fees or other payments will always be clearly explained and processed through our official payment system — never through ad hoc or personal requests.

If something seems suspicious, do not click on any links or provide personal details. If you receive a message that doesn’t seem right, contact the club directly before taking any action.

If in doubt, email or call the club through the official contact details on our website — not the message you received.

Second Hand Uniform Drive

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.

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

Thank you to our valued sponsor Community Bank Inner East for their incredible support of our Club. 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! Did you know 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

Size 10 hoodies are now available at a special clearance price of $40! Get in quickly, this offer is only available while stocks last!

For uniform enquiries, head to Uniforms@wattleparksaints.org.au

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

Cup Weekend:

Friday 31 October: GAMES ON

Saturday 1 November: NO GAMES

Monday 3 November: GAMES ON

Final Games before Christmas Holidays:

Friday night: 12 December

Saturday: 13 December

Monday night: 15 December

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.

Don't forget to follow us on