The Summer 19/20 Season is  well underway and we are already three weeks down into grading (check out the grading points overview in the 'Assists' section).  Thanks to the volunteers for the uniform night and to all the patient club members, our aim is to make processes easier for you.....speaking of that, not sure about you, but i'm not missing the weekly scramble for $8.50.   There are a couple of useful reminders in this newsletter:

Team App  - You should have it and be in your child's team!

Team Chat - Get on it...it's the best way for immediate communication and keeps our email box quieter!

Team Managers - request access through the Team App to join the Team Managers Access Group. 

Volunteers - you're not forgotten, there is an access group for you too.

Training expectations - from players, coaches and parents

Code of Conduct - one for all and all for one!

Thanks again to the team of volunteer selectors and other members of the committee for the many hours devoted to ensuring all players have a team by the commencement of the season.  The amount of information taken into account when teams are selected is an extremely detailed and time consuming process that is discussed at length amongst all volunteer selectors.  

This newsletter is jam packed, so grab a cuppa and enjoy the read. 

Just a couple of reminders to all parents. Please read the Basketball Victoria Code of Conduct.  As a club, we want to ensure that we are best representing the club, but also to remember, our priority is ensuring our kids want to play basketball in a safe and encouraging environment. 

As a club, we expect parents, players and representatives of the club to conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner.   A high standard of behaviour helps build a clubs family friendly culture and it is imperative that it is adhered to. 

Additionally to this, in regards to team training sessions, there are expectations on coaches,  parents and players. 

• All players must attend training with a reversible Park Orchards training top.
• Communicate with the coach if you are unable to attend training or games
• Bring a bottle of water
• Bring a basketball - preferably one that isn't flat
• At least one parent from the team must remain at training as a support to the coach should an emergency arise.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact : admin@steelersbc.com

We'd love your input, so feel free to email admin@steelersbc.com if you would like to see something put in the newsletter. 

Please enjoy the The Hoop.

Assists

It's a new season, and some of you may have to get familiar with some new information, especially those changing age groups.  You might find some of these documents  handy. Be sure to check the 'Documents' tab in Team App, there is alot of great information in there that just might help you out.

Fill in rules .........get familiar with them, here's a brief snippet.

Venues

Just when you think you must have played at every stadium in the EDJBA, you get the weeks fixture and think "where on earth is that stadium?"  We've got you covered, there is a quick link below with a list of the EDJBA venues and their address.  

Coaching

New season means there are some new coaches.  Please check out Team App for recently added documents, which you might find really useful especially those from the recent Basketball Victoria Coaching course attended by some very fortunate coaches.  We've attached a few of them, so click below. 

Get onto the Team App Coaches Chat, it's a great resource in itself with a lot of brains to pick!

Don't forget to sign up for Andrew Howey's coach the coaches session 10th November 9am - 10:30am.  He is also this months Coach in the Spotlight, his credentials speak for themself....

Coach: Andrew Howey

How many years have you been coaching/ and playing? I have been playing or coaching basketball from my primary school days. I spent my adults years playing with Bulleen, in the SEABL and 5 years in the NBL with North Melbourne and the South East Melbourne Magic. I never played rep ball as a junior.  I coached the Australian Women’s team to a silver medal in the World Police and Fire Games, some 10 years ago. Otherwise coaching junior teams.

I have had the privilege of being coached by Brett Brown, current coach of the Philadelphia 76ers and Andrew Lemanis, current Australian mens coach and Brisbane Bullets Coach.

What are some of the challenging aspects of coaching?The challenge in coaching is getting the best out of the individuals such that you get the best out of the team. Everyone in the team has a role to play and doing their best in that role will lead to the team being the best.
 

What skill should players give more practice time too?Everyone should practice with their non-dominant hand, their footwork and their shooting. You can never do too much of the above.
 

What is your favourite training drill? I have a drill I use where the players cut, exchange pivot and shoot. I run it for a minute and the team has to count the number of goals. And then next week better it. The drill is good for shooting, footwork, screens and passing.
 

What is the biggest frustration/ and or joy about coaching? My frustration is seeing a child with poor footwork and a poor shooting technique. As They get older this is harder to correct. The joy is seeing the children improve, enjoy their basketball and the friendships they form. I am still great mates today, with guys I played basketball with in my primary school days. 

Favourite professional basketballer, past or present?  Favourite basketballer is easy, Michael Jordan.   I would loved to play against him.

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER

Sunday 10th November - Players clinic before the Melbourne United  Adelaide 36's game (refer to booking link below)

Saturday 14th December - Round 9: Last game of 2019 (games will resume Saturday 1st February - Round 10, 2020)

The Park Orchards Steelers have been given the opportunity for up to 50 players (U14 and below) to participate in a clinic before the Melbourne United v Adelaide 36's game on Sunday 10th November.

Parents would have to purchase tickets for their child and themselves to watch the game ($34 Adults, $18 concession)

Participants will need to arrive at Melbourne Arena by 1.30pm. Kids will then be walked down onto court at 1.58pm for a 2pm clinic start. The clinic will be run by game day staff.

Each participant will need to book via the booking link below as well as complete the Game Day Relase form.  Applications will close on November 6th. 

Any questions, contact admin@steelersbc.com

No Time Out's for these 'Steelers'

 Quite often, we talk about the commitment and time we devote to a particular sporting club, which is driven by a common factor.  Our kids love the sport and as such, we become invested in their passion.  For many of us, it connects us to families who are on the same pathway and great friendships are formed. 

It was a delight to hear about a team who were united by this common love of basketball close to 20 years ago and who have been playing together (with some new players and some now cheering from the sidelines) and enthusiastically wearing the Steeler guernsey ever since.  

Thanks to Martin Fletcher for the info and photos.  What a great team culture you have shown the Steelers community.

How long you’ve all been together?  Total team years of experience, over the last 18 years I have counted over 50 players that have been a member of our side. The current players, in which there are 10, vary from 18 years playing to 1 year playing.
It's an ever revolving door when it comes to player turnover.
Grand Final winners in 2004 after their third season together, they originally started at Leeds Street Doncaster, then moved to Sheehans Road Bulleen in 2006 and have remained there since. 

What keeps you all playing?  The fun of still being able to play sport and the friendship one derives from playing in a team environment. Although competitive, win or lose, it doesn’t really matter.
But the thing we love the most is we have a money kitty that provides us with a BBQ meal and drinks at the Bulleen Stadium after every 7.00pm game. We also hold a break up dinner twice a year, where we meet at a restaurant in the surrounding areas and the money kitty ( which usually holds around $1500.00 by seasons end) pays for the dinner and drinks. This is huge motivation for the continuance of playing.

What challenges you’ve had in keeping committed?  It is very hard to keep players committed when they venture over the 50 year threshold. It's this age bracket where children become more demanding and your business commitments are increasing as well so it's very difficult to find an hour or so to play basketball. But the hardest part for players to continue is age, which in turn provides plenty of injuries and some injuries don’t enable you to return.
Other factors that restrict a players motivation, as mentioned previously are business commitments, families, overseas transfers, players moving interstate, other interests and the aches and pains that follow on the Friday morning.
All these situations affect the ability for players to continue.

Funny moments, surely a few over two decades?  There isn’t many funny moments in a competitive environment. The occasional falcon  ( when you miss the ball and it hits you in the head ) can be amusing but the most funniest stories are off the court.
Various topics are broached within the general chatter before and after the game and its these moments that make the effort in playing worthwhile.

Changes you have seen in basketball culture:  None that I can really point to except that the facilities are of a much better standard than when we first started. Upgraded facilities seem to be the norm these days when previously,
such as with POBBC, to upgrade facilities was always difficult. Scoring on a computer instead of a sheet of paper is probably the biggest innovation that we have encountered as a playing group. But the culture was strong in our era and is still so strong today.

If you could bring in one NBA or NBL star off the bench and into the team,  who would it be? Well there was only ever 1 player when we were teenagers and that was Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics. He was the best.
My 3 sons could rattle off a hundred players that they would love to play with but for me, Larry Bird is still the best. ( And apologies to Michael Jordan )

What a fabulous insight into a great team!

All this hustle means half time is a welcome break!

Spot the Steeler

These Steelers have been enjoying dumplings in Box Hill.....lucky ducks!   They're Novembers Spot the Steeler recipients,  another prize for some brothers to wrestle over.....maybe make them compete in a free throw comp to see which one will claim the voucher! Admin will contact you shortly........

Keep the submissions coming, lets see how far and wide our Steelers can go.  It's a long weekend, so get out there!

There is a lot going on around the club, and we are always looking for volunteers.  If you think you can help in any capacity, please log into Team App and join the "volunteers" access group. Maybe you can hand out pizza at the next presentation, who knows?

Check out our Steelers Store, available all year round for both uniforms and merchandise like Tshirts, Backpacks, Drink Bottles etc.

Orders placed and paid online where stock is available will be delivered to the PK stadium ready to be picked up durings Saturday games from our sensational POBC canteen staff. You will be advised by email when they are ready to be collected, allow a week.

Missed presentation night and couldn't collect your award? 

If you are the recipient of a medal or trophy and were unable to attend the presentation day to collect your items, these will now be available for collection on Saturdays from the Park Orchards stadium. You can pick them up between 9am - 5pm, just speak to the canteen staff.

Keen to check out some previous newsletter editions, click on the link below to take you to the team app.