Edition 26 - August 2025
A Message From the Club President
Hello to all our wonderful Wattle Park Families,
As always basketball never sleeps! While many of you enjoyed a well-earned break, our team has been working hard behind the scenes to roll out registrations for the Summer 2025–26 Season. All current members should have received the registration link via email, but in case you missed it, you can also find it on our website: www.wattleparksaints.org.au. Could I encourage everyone to register as early as possible. Early registrations are a huge help in forming teams and doing our best to meet player preferences. Also, if you know someone new or returning to basketball — a friend, a neighbour, a classmate — please forward them the registration info. Each season we unfortunately see some players miss out simply because they did not hear about registration in time.
A Call for Age Group Coordinators — We Need You! One of the biggest challenges we’re facing is the recruitment of Age Group Coordinators
(AGCs). These volunteers are the heart of our registration and team formation process, and the link between our amazing Team Managers and the Club throughout the season. At the moment, we have several AGC roles vacant. On top of that, some of our current AGCs are juggling far too many teams — a load that’s just not sustainable. Without new coordinators stepping in, we may be forced — for the first time in our Club’s history — to cap player numbers. That’s something we’re determined to avoid. If you think you might be able to lend a hand as an AGC (or want to know more), please reach out to me directly — as soon as possible. Your support could make all the
difference for our young Saints.
Save the Date – End of Season Celebration!
We’re already looking forward to our Presentation Day on Sunday, 21 September. This season, we’re also looking forward to our intra-club 3×3 competition following the presentations. Start gathering your squads and get ready to register. We’d love to see a fantastic turnout from the Wattle Park Saints family!
Coaching Support and Development
You may have noticed lots of exciting movement around our coaching program. The Club remains deeply committed to creating the best possible development environment for players at the domestic level — one that is safe, inclusive, respectful, and fun. We’re investing in stronger support for coaches, particularly our junior coaches, and we’re excited to build on this in the coming seasons. A big thank you to all coaches who completed our coaching survey — your feedback is already shaping our next steps. If you’re interested in becoming a coach, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Paul Kneebone at wps-coaching@proton.me.
A heartfelt thank you to all our sponsors who have re-signed for the year ahead. Their support plays a vital role in running our Junior Coaching Program, which underpins both our coach and player development. If you get a chance, please show them your support in return. If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor and joining our Mates with Saints program — where we proudly promote your business — reach out to Graeme Kelly at graemek@partnerwholesale.com.au.
Good luck to all teams for the rest of the season and for those looking to head into finals, please double-check player eligibility.
Shayne La Combre
Club President
Go Saints - Brave, True, One
In this Edition
Summer Registration
Call Out for Coaches
Presentation Day and 3 x 3 Competition
JDC Behavioural Framework
International Sports Camps
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Junior Coach Community Bank Special Offer
Uniform Update: Discount Hoodies!
Dates to Remember
Register for Summer Season 2025/2026!
Yes, it is still chilly outside but Summer Season registrations are closing soon! As we wind down the Winter 2025 Season, it is time to gear up for the Summer 2025/25 Season. Registration details are available on our website .
Junior Monday (Girls) and Friday (Boys) Players – register here
Junior Saturday Players – register here
Please make sure you use the correct links when registering.
Registrations close 5pm, Sunday 10 August.
Impact Young Lives – Become a Coach
Coaches play a huge role at Wattle Park Saints – without coaches, we don’t have teams. All players and parents at Wattle Park Saints have benefited from our coaches – guiding our young players, leading our teams, setting an example for the club.
We’d like to encourage all our players from U15+ and any parents to consider giving coaching a go. To register as a new or returning coach, please fill out our form here.
Players of all levels and parents with little to no basketball experience can all make great coaches – it’s about providing an environment for fun, learning and teamwork. The club will provide guidance on training plans and drills. Coaching is incredibly rewarding and a lot of fun.
To register for coaching next season, please complete the expression of interest form here. Give it a go! For questions, email Paul.
You're Invited!
Winter Season Presentation Day
Celebrate a brilliant Winter Season 2025 at our upcoming Presentation Day.
Date: Sunday 21 September 2025
Time: 1-3pm
Location: Deakin University
Entrance 2, Burwood Highway
Park in Multi-level carpark CP6,
Make your way to Building I - Lecture Theatre 1
It is free to attend the Presentation Day! Please book your seats via Trybooking.
3 x 3 Competition
Yes, it's back! Following the Presentation Day will be a fun 3 x 3 Competition on the courts at Deakin University. Look out for bookings opening soon. Winners will receive a KFC Giant Feast meal!
Also taking place will be the mighty Saints Boot Muster and Second Hand Uniform Drive! These are a great way to upcycle outgrown but still wearable boots and uniforms, while raising funds for the Club.
We will need lots of helpers to make this is a fantastic event. Please consider lending a hand for an hour or two. Many hands make light work! Sign up to help here.
Behaviour Matters
Junior Division Competition
Behavioural Framework
Wattle Park Saints play in the Melbourne East Basketball Association (MEBA) competition, and as such, are bound by their rules and by-laws.
As we wrap up the Winter season and head into Summer 2025/26, we ask all parents and carers to familiarise themselves with the Behavioural Framework. The Behavioural Framework sets out expectations of players, coaches and spectators. The full document can be found here, but here's the summary:
Spectators must abide by the BV Spectator Code of Conduct;
Spectators are not permitted to enter the playing area AT ANY TIME and must not impede the referees ‘path of travel’;
Spectators are not permitted to approach the referees AT ALL, including before, during or after any game.
Spectators are not permitted to engage, question, challenge, abuse, threaten or ridicule the referees or any decisions made by any means including (but not limited to) swearing, sledging, sarcasm, harassment, intimidation, condescension, or discriminatory comments AT ANY TIME
Spectators are not permitted to provide “advice” to the referees including (but not limited to) “watch certain players” or count “time in the key”;
Spectators must not approach or engage with the score bench about a score, foul, or timing discrepancy.
Spectators must not abuse the score bench officials, opposition coach, players or spectators by any means including (but not limited to) swearing, sledging, harassment or intimidation;
Spectators must not photograph, film, or follow the referee’s before, during or after any game.
International Sports Camps!
Once again our sponsors International Sports Camps are offering a great deal for Wattle Park Saints families on their 3 day basketball programs during the next School Holidays. Save 30% by booking now at iscamps.com.au.
Be sure to enter the discount code WPS30 at check out to access this excellent deal. Thank you to International Sports Camps for this fabulous offer!
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
Summer Season registrations close: 5pm, 10 August
Monday night Elimination Final: 8 September
Friday night Elimination Final: 12 September
Saturday Elimination Final:13 September
Monday night Grand Final: 15 September
Friday night Grand Final: 19 September
Saturday Grand Final: 20 September
Presentation Day and 3x3 Tournament: Sunday 21 September
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