Posted on 6 April, 2008
Kilsyth was awarded;
Largest Basketball Association in Victoria
Most Improved Junior Program
Jack Carter Memorial Award Administrator of the Year – Ben Turner
Elite Coach of the Year – Rod Popp
Female Official of the Year – Sharon Arnold
Best Regional Photograph – Michael Brown Boxandice
Six service awards
Kilsyth received the award for the Largest Basketball Association in Victoria for the 14th straight year while also picking up the Most Improved Junior Program for its work in providing participation and development opportunities for the community. Through the ANZ Bank partnered program ‘Kids First’, Kilsyth has been able to begin ‘creating a future of physical and financial fitness’ with 48 schools and over 17,000 local primary school aged students participating. The Most Improved Junior Program recognises improvements across the entire Association taking into account results by the “Phil Munday’s” Junior Cobras and improvements to the domestic competition, after school competition, disability program, school holiday program and the Aussie Hoops program.
Association President Malcolm Allison praised all within the Association (volunteers and employees) for the hard work they put in to keeping Kilsyth as the Largest Association in Victoria.
“We are proud of the programs we have put in place and thank Basketball Victoria for their recognition and support in delivering these quality programs to the local community. Basketball Victoria does a fantastic job encouraging and working with all associations to improve our sport.”
“Kilsyth also wishes to thank State Minister for Sport James Merlino and Mr. Garry Conner from the ANZ Bank for all of their support over the past twelve months.”
Kilsyth also received four individual awards with Ben Turner awarded Administrator of the Year, Rod Popp awarded the Elite Coach of the Year, Sharon Arnold the Female Official of the Year and Michael Brown (Boxandice) for his photograph of Jon Croft in 2007 SEABL action
Kilsyth Basketball General Manager Grant Wallace quoted and endorsed past Kilsyth President Laurie Hellier’s comments upon receiving news of these awards.
“I firmly believe we have the right people in the right places. You won’t believe how satisfying this news is to me personally…I am over the moon!”
Kilsyth Basketball will not rest on its laurels and will continue to strive to be not only the largest but best association in Australia, providing a pathway for players, coaches, referees and administrators. With some major upgrade plans in the works over the next two years, it is an exciting time for the Association who will continue foster and develop talent and provide participation opportunities for the entire community.
For more information on Kilsyth Basketball visit www.kilsythbasketball.com.au
