A New Season Begins

It's the day after our first Junior tryout and I am very excited for the upcoming 2013 season.

Early signs of a great year ahead became evident when 29 Girls registered for Junior Basketball - that in itself is a new record and a significant step forward for our Program.

Traditionally, we always hold our first Trial at 7am, something I picked up from my predecessor, Coach Dave Wilson. We always viewed the morning trial as a test of commitment. We would get about half of the registered players turn up to that first morning trial with most opting for the later after school dates. It was a surefire way to sort the serious players from their casual counterparts.

So you can imagine my surprise when we arrived at the gym yesterday and not only had 24 of the 29 registered girls turned up but they were there before us (Yes! On time is late when it comes to Sports, Weddings and Job Interviews). Totally impressed and overwhelmed by the pressure, we slowly got things underway running a battery of skills tests and a limited amount of scrimmaging.

Although some struggled and some shined, I tend to view players on their potential - their potential to grow, to be coached and to be a supportive team mate. I also assess players from the ground up, meaning I believe the best players have the best footwork - that is the ability to start and stop with balance, the ability to change direction and to do so with efficiency. But we'll save that discussion for another day.

Although I am sad to see my Junior team of two years move on to the Senior ranks, I do so with the knowledge that the Girls coming after them will be more than capable of upholding our traditions and preserving our winning ways. Definitely look forward to next week!