It was a historical night for Shepparton basketball, made bittersweet due to the lack of capacity at the Shepparton Sports Stadium, with almost 500 fans sent home.
But I’m not talking about the Big V Division One grand final last August, where the Shepparton Gators claimed the title and earned ascension to the top level of Victorian basketball for the first time in almost two decades.
Instead, I’m talking about the GV Giants’ first home game back in the 1980s.
Same team, different name.
But the same facilities holding it back.
If only we could go back in time almost four decades and interview the hundreds of fans sent home that day.
My guess is that their insights would mirror the frustrations of the current Shepparton faithful, emphasising the need for a stadium upgrade.
Imagine their reaction if we told them that by the time their children and grandchildren were old enough to watch the Shepparton seniors team play, the capacity issues would remain virtually the same.
I don’t have a time machine. But I do own a phone. So I just asked Shepparton Gators director Steve Beks.
“At the Giants’ first game, I was a spectator in the stands,” he said.
“At the time, I was studying outdoor education in Bendigo and joined the team about halfway through the season.
“I came home for every home game, as my brother David was playing.
“The build-up to our first game was massive.
“This was the GV’s first ever national team, and the interest was Australia-wide.
“I remember waiting outside two hours before tip-off with family and friends for doors to open.
“Fifteen hundred spectators entered the stadium with 500-plus turned away.
“Extra tiered seating was provided and was always totally filled.”
Steve took charge of the Gators just a few years ago and has overseen a rejuvenation at The Swamp, with back-to-back grand final runs that have brought a buzz back to the stadium and, indeed, basketball in Shepparton.
His hard work paid off with the Division One win, but he was frustrated that the same capacity issues that did their best to ruin his brother’s big night also plagued his son’s success almost 40 years later.
Gators vice-captain Sam Beks said following the grand final that it “hurt” him to know that hundreds of fans were sent home on the day, unable to celebrate with the team and be a part of history.
“The popularity in Shepparton basketball has exploded,” Steve said.
“I believe due to the success of the Big V Gators.
“And once again, seating is a serious issue alongside the lack of available courts.
“More and more adults and kids are wanting to play the game of basketball in Shepparton, but unfortunately and sadly, the GSBA (Greater Shepparton Basketball Association) are nearing a position of no return.
“That’s informing future players we simply have no room for you.
“How disappointing for all involved.”
Steve said the development of other regional stadiums had been well documented, with Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong and Traralgon all building state-funded, state-of-the-art stadiums.
“These venues have all previously hosted world championships, which have generated millions of dollars into their communities,” Steve said.
“It has to be our turn, surely.
“We have the opportunity to grow and develop Shepparton basketball back again into the national spotlight but not with an ageing structure that looks, smells, feels and aches like the tired old dinosaur that it is.”
Steve said with his team being promoted to Victoria’s top state basketball league, the Championship, the stadium was making it harder to compete at the next level.
He pointed out that the Gators were missing out on ticket sales with such a low seating capacity cap.
Beyond that, there is “overwhelming interest” from local businesses to sponsor and support the Gators, but not enough floor space or capacity to entertain and advertise signage, corporate boxes or suitable and appropriate seating, directly impacting the Gators’ bottom line.
This, in turn, affects the Gators’ ability to recruit talent to help bolster their campaign each season, not just on the financial front but also when trying to sell Shepparton as a basketball destination.
In addition, Steve said he believed the outdated stadium was holding Shepparton back from receiving injections of hundreds of thousands of dollars into the local economy each year.
“The Shepparton Junior Tournament generates $2.5 million to $3 million for the local community,” Steve said.
“Limited courts are available, which means the number of teams is capped.
“We could potentially have the biggest junior tournament in regional Victoria if we had the capacity.
“Shepparton is one of the fastest-growing associations in the state with domestic player participation and representative junior teams.
“The number of domestic players is pushing 2000.
“Unfortunately, this will also be capped because of the lack of courts.”
As for what an actual upgrade could look like, for Steve, it’s all about “minimal impact”.
He wants to see four courts added to the existing Shepparton Sports Stadium, along with increased seating capacity.
He thinks this would cost half as much as a complete rebuild and maybe finally resolve the issue, instead of allowing the conversation to continue for another 40 years.
Otherwise, history might repeat itself again.
If something is going to change, something needs to change.
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
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