Shepparton Gators coach: stadium ‘hurting’ junior basketballers

Along with his head coaching role, Waight is Greater Shepparton Basketball Association’s director of coaching, focusing on Shepparton’s junior program.

So, he’s also in charge of the future of the Shepparton Gators.

Waight’s coaching badges are extensive, with more than a decade of experience.

He’s also led the Victoria Country under-16s several times at the Australian Junior Championships.

So he’s more qualified than just about anyone to judge just how much the lack of courts in Shepparton and poor-quality basketball facilities are affecting the next generation of Gators.

“It’s hurting our juniors,” Waight said.

“We need courts to train our athletes.

“It’s hampering their development and not letting them fulfil their potential.”

Waight said a coach in Shepparton was lucky to be able to train their kids once a week.

He said kids in Europe or America trained almost daily because there were so many courts available.

Even in Victoria, juniors from Ballarat and Bendigo have a vast advantage, with the capacity to train multiple times a week and access courts outside training.

“We’re behind smaller associations with less junior players,” Waight said.

“Our players aren’t getting the same time with their coaches, they can’t get as much help, and their game isn’t developed and nurtured as much.”

Waight started as a player in Shepparton in the early 1990s.

More than 30 years later, the Shepparton Sports Stadium is basically the same.

The only change Waight remembers during that time was an improvement to the grandstand to allow wheelchair access, which actually reduced seating capacity.

This is the very same grandstand that was overflowing during the Big V grand final in August, when hundreds of fans were sent home because there was no room for them in the stadium.

“We lost a lot of numbers, and we wanted them all to be there to witness something special,” Waight said.

“We don’t want to be turning away supporters, and that made the night bittersweet for a lot of the boys.”

Beyond capacity issues, Waight said the lack of courts asked a lot of families.

He said the number of junior players and teams meant games had to be scheduled too late or too early, making it difficult for parents and carers.

Even the senior Gators side’s training sessions were too late on a work night, given that some players travelled more than an hour to play.

He singled out Big V players Staci Richardson from Echuca and Lachlan Kego from Benalla as examples.

“It’s just really hard for families,” Waight said.

“It’s (the lack of courts) a unique problem basketball faces.

“You won’t have any issues finding a field to kick the footy around.”

Waight isn’t worried about having a flashy new facility with all the bells and whistles.

While the basketball stadium faces other issues, such as the seating capacity and the leaky roof, for Waight, getting at least four additional courts remains the priority.

This would solve many problems, allowing teams to train consistently, develop junior players and schedule games at more reasonable times.

Waight questioned why someone wouldn’t invest in enthusiastic young players who were passionate about their sport and deserved better.

“It’s good for their physical and mental health,” Waight said.

“You run the risk of losing a lot of great kids and great families if something isn’t done soon.”

Show your support for our campaign by signing our petition at www.change.org/p/upgrade-the-shepparton-sports-stadium

Stand For Our Stadium: The story so far

Or reach out to us and have your say:

Contact details

News journalist Jay Bryce

jay.bryce@mmg.com.au

5820 3195

@jaybrycenews on Instagram

Or The News desk at:

editor@sheppnews.com.au

5831 2312