About 80 young basketballers trained with Shepparton’s elite players this week.
With the Big V season just tipping off and school holidays winding down, the Gators held a skills camp on Monday, April 8, and Tuesday, April 9, at Shepparton Sports Stadium.
Senior players Josh Kooiman, Dylan Wilkie, Jordan Munro, Devin Thomas and Jesse King were coaches, facilitating skill drills and scrimmages with the kids.
The young players got a chance to meet their heroes, as well as get one-on-one training and feedback from professional basketball players.
Gators development player King said as one of the youngest players in the squad, it was fantastic to connect with the next generation.
“It’s been really good,” King said.
“These guys are going to be the next Gators.”
At the end of the second day, the players had a Q and A with the kids before presenting awards and giving out prizes.
They then gathered on the Gators logo at half court and put their hands in, shouting “one, two, three, Gators’’.
Gators director Steve Beks thanked the families for getting the kids involved with the camp.
“And thank you guys (the kids) for your awesome behaviour,” Beks said.
“I saw a few times a bigger player helping up a smaller player and that’s what we’re all about, that respect and sportsmanship.
“And your skill level from the start of yesterday to the end of today, it’s not even close.”