From little things, big things grow.
Benalla Breakers’ under-12 boys coach Sheree Jackson has worked around the clock to prepare the players for tournaments.
She has worked countless hours to upskill her knowledge of coaching, regulations and training methods.
Jackson has also created extra-curricular opportunities for team-building activities to strengthen connections between the boys who spend their school days separately at four local schools.
And her focus on the long game has paid off, as the under-12 Breakers boys are at the top of their game.
Their first tournament of the season was at Echuca-Moama.
After a shaky start, the side shook off nerves to dominate the tournament.
The presence of top-age player Teddy Sheehan saw Benalla claim the highest team percentage, and Sheehan took the highest accolade of tournament points high-scorer by six points.
Hot on his heels was Jackson Quarrell, who placed fifth overall in tournament scoring, and Caleb Thwaites took out sixth place.
These scoring stars could not be racking up the numbers they did if it were not for the expert wingmen and the enthusiasm of the young guns.
The top team from each pool faced off in a fierce grand final.
The victory was out of the Breakers’ reach, going down by four points to the undefeated Yarrawonga-Mulwala boys.
This loss put the fire in the Breakers’ bellies, and they were determined to reign victorious in the Swan Hill tournament.
In the Swan Hill tournament, held on the last weekend in October, the Benalla boys blew the competition away, winning every game.
The tournament high-scorer was Thwaites, this time with an impressive 60 points to his name.
He also secured the grand final MVP awarded by the umpires.
In second place in the overall scoring with 49 tournament points was Sheehan, while Jackson Quarrell secured fourth place with 38 tournament points.
Wingman Darcy Mort showed his skill throughout the tournament, leading the way with his top-age experience.
Next up for the Benalla boys is the Shepparton tournament set for the first weekend in December.
The club is keen to see a strong Benalla supporter base at the tournament.
Anyone who is there will bear witness to just how incredible the local boys are.