Shepparton Gators captain Matt Bartlett sits next to the main court in a virtually empty Shepparton Sports Stadium, just a few months after lifting the Big V division one title after beating RMIT on the same court.
The stadium is a source of nostalgia for Bartlett, where his passion for basketball was ignited and his playing career began.
“I was playing younger than I was supposed to, I think I was probably five years old,” he said.
Bartlett recalled watching the senior squad play growing up.
He said he had great memories of watching classic battles between Shepparton and Warrnambool, the players hustling, tussling and getting away with a bit more than you would today.
Current Greater Shepparton Basketball Association president and Gators announcer Peter Sutherland would throw bread into the crowd, the fans roaring in delight, as enthusiastic and loud as they are today.
“That’s where I got my passion and want to play for the senior side,” Bartlett said.
“It was always something to behold, coming down here to watch them play.”
While taking a trip down memory lane, Bartlett was asked to look around and consider how much the stadium had changed from then to today.
He said he was proud of the Gators branding and stickers on the court.
Even watching Big V footage from just a few years ago, he said the courts looked bland and “1000 times better” now.
But had there been any actual change to the stadium and its facilities?
“No, no change,” Bartlett said.
“I ran into some of the lifetime GSBA members, and from 50 years ago, it’s very similar.
“They did have a secondary stand over the other side, which really added to the atmosphere, which we don’t have now.
“These stands on the side of the court used to come all the way out to the court, so we’ve lost a bit of seating.”
Bartlett said as a young player he never had trouble getting into the Shepparton Sports Stadium to practise and always trained twice weekly.
He said now juniors were lucky to get a training session once a week and that it likely would not be at the main stadium.
“I know at the moment the court availability isn’t there for kids, with having to play at the Visy and things like that,” Bartlett said.
“Just last night my nephew in under-14s was playing at 7.30pm.
“That’s a pretty late timetable for that age.
“I know the scheduling and our numbers are quite large, but we’re just unable to facilitate that.
“We’ve got great numbers across the association, but our players are probably lacking a bit of skill, and I’d put that down to not being able to get on the court and practise as often.”
Bartlett spent time playing for the Bendigo Braves in the NBL1.
He said there was just no comparison between Shepparton’s facilities and Bendigo’s.
“Bendigo has a lot more courts and support,” Bartlett said.
“They already had a really good stadium, and then they got another upgrade with even more courts.
“It’s mind-boggling; it’s amazing what they’ve created there.
“That opens it up for so many other things, not just basketball, they’ve got concerts and everything that go through there.”
Bartlett said that even compared to other towns of similar size to Shepparton, our basketball facilities were blatantly outdated.
He said at junior tournaments, there was a separation in skill level between Shepparton and other towns, not because of talent but because of access to courts and the ability to practise and develop.
He also highlighted possible opportunities to host NBL games and other top-level sporting and entertainment events at an upgraded stadium, bringing more money and opportunities into Shepparton.
“You just wouldn’t be able to do it here, there’s just not enough seating,” Bartlett said.
“It would get capped, and as soon as something gets capped like that, people don’t look to come there.
“You go down to Deakin, and they have an AFL game there leading up to the actual season.
“The same thing can happen for basketball.
“Our community and crowd come along to anything that represents high-level entertainment and elite playing ability, so we’d pack out the place, no worries.
“If it’s built, people will come check it out.”
Bartlett said the other sports just down the road from the stadium, specifically soccer and hockey, had premium facilities.
He felt it was basketball’s turn to get a facility that matched the town’s enthusiasm for the sport.
“I think basketball has been left behind a bit,” Bartlett said.
“That’s just because of participation numbers, but now our numbers are huge, and our facilities need to represent the numbers and the demand at the moment.
“That demand was for football, so we obviously have good football grounds.
“Now it’s for basketball, so that should translate into basketball getting similar quality facilities.
“It’s been in the talks and in the wings for a very long time.
“Everyone advocates for it, I don’t see there being any negative to it whatsoever.
“Physical health is massive within our community and offers so much.
“Basketball offers so much, it gets kids off the street and keeps them productive.
“There are absolutely no negatives to having upgrades and getting kids more involved in sport.
“It’s just basketball’s turn.
“Footy had its turn, soccer had its turn, the numbers demand it, and our number is up next.”
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Stand For Our Stadium: The story so far
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