Bright Future For Young Venom
Warrandyte Venom’s Big V season has yielded a third successive finals campaign in as many years in the State’s top basketball competition, though this time it came with a team that included nine teenagers.
Better still, the 2009 Venom squad of 13 included 12 current or former players from the club’s junior programs, an amazing endorsement for a club’s junior talent unmatched by any other team in the competition.
Though they exited in the semi-finals against an older, bigger and more experienced Werribee outfit, Venom coach Justin Nelson had nothing but praise for his young team.
“I think we will look back on 2009 as the season that started a very exciting period for the club,” said Nelson, adding, “We have developed some outstanding young players this season and also added some quality people to the team.”
No doubt the coach is talking about guard Janelle Lucas and centre Sharlene Dalsanto, two off-season recruits who have added real class and intensity to a rising group of youngsters.
Nelson is also full of praise for two former club juniors who have developed into fantastic team leaders.
“To be developing so many kids in the same team as the likes of Jaz Borella (pictured) and Chelsea Ransom has been a real bonus for us this season. To be learning about the game and playing at the senior level from great club people is invaluable.
“Then of course you have Janelle (Lucas) and Sharlene (Dalsanto), two very energetic players who have also helped to bring the younger players on, whilst also taking their own games to a new level.”
Minus six of the nine players that took Venom to the grand final in 2008, Nelson rates this year’s performance as the club’s best.
“Making grand finals is always a great achievement, but nobody rated us this season, including some of our own people, so to make the finals with a team filled with teenagers has been exciting.
“In many ways people expected us to make the grand final with the experienced and older players we had in previous years, but very few rated us as a finals team this season.
“The kids we have brought through this year are already respected by opposition clubs as being strong, reliable and hard working players. Our test now will be to build consistency and take our whole game to the next level.”
Some of those young guns include 15-year olds Mollie Burke and Casey Taylor, along with 16-year olds Meg Dargan and Ashlee Brobbel.
“Some opposition coaches were really impressed with our young players, and quite often that’s the best form of praise you can get.
“Mollie (Burke) and Meg (Dargan) have developed into two of the quickest guards in the competition and, together with Janelle (Lucas), they should form a dangerous trio for many years to come.”
With the 2009 season now over, Nelson is keen to start building in all areas to ensure 2010 sees another step forward.
“We like to make sure we are always planning ahead. We’ll meet with all the players quickly and outline our plans for next season, along with bringing up a couple more junior players to start learning the ropes.
“The girls will take a couple of months off and then pre-season will start and we’ll have plenty of work to do. It’s going to be good to also see the club’s men’s team take shape as they prepare for their first season in the Big V.
“Hopefully we get to see the men’s team go through the same growth phase over the next few years and we see some of the club’s youngsters giving it a go and making the senior team.”
Meanwhile, Venom’s Big V men’s tryouts will commence on Tuesday October 6 at Warrandyte Sports Complex from 8.30pm. Players interested in trying out are encouraged to attend sessions held each Tuesday and Thursday evening during October.
Better still, the 2009 Venom squad of 13 included 12 current or former players from the club’s junior programs, an amazing endorsement for a club’s junior talent unmatched by any other team in the competition.
Though they exited in the semi-finals against an older, bigger and more experienced Werribee outfit, Venom coach Justin Nelson had nothing but praise for his young team.
“I think we will look back on 2009 as the season that started a very exciting period for the club,” said Nelson, adding, “We have developed some outstanding young players this season and also added some quality people to the team.”
No doubt the coach is talking about guard Janelle Lucas and centre Sharlene Dalsanto, two off-season recruits who have added real class and intensity to a rising group of youngsters.
Nelson is also full of praise for two former club juniors who have developed into fantastic team leaders.
“To be developing so many kids in the same team as the likes of Jaz Borella (pictured) and Chelsea Ransom has been a real bonus for us this season. To be learning about the game and playing at the senior level from great club people is invaluable.
“Then of course you have Janelle (Lucas) and Sharlene (Dalsanto), two very energetic players who have also helped to bring the younger players on, whilst also taking their own games to a new level.”
Minus six of the nine players that took Venom to the grand final in 2008, Nelson rates this year’s performance as the club’s best.
“Making grand finals is always a great achievement, but nobody rated us this season, including some of our own people, so to make the finals with a team filled with teenagers has been exciting.
“In many ways people expected us to make the grand final with the experienced and older players we had in previous years, but very few rated us as a finals team this season.
“The kids we have brought through this year are already respected by opposition clubs as being strong, reliable and hard working players. Our test now will be to build consistency and take our whole game to the next level.”
Some of those young guns include 15-year olds Mollie Burke and Casey Taylor, along with 16-year olds Meg Dargan and Ashlee Brobbel.
“Some opposition coaches were really impressed with our young players, and quite often that’s the best form of praise you can get.
“Mollie (Burke) and Meg (Dargan) have developed into two of the quickest guards in the competition and, together with Janelle (Lucas), they should form a dangerous trio for many years to come.”
With the 2009 season now over, Nelson is keen to start building in all areas to ensure 2010 sees another step forward.
“We like to make sure we are always planning ahead. We’ll meet with all the players quickly and outline our plans for next season, along with bringing up a couple more junior players to start learning the ropes.
“The girls will take a couple of months off and then pre-season will start and we’ll have plenty of work to do. It’s going to be good to also see the club’s men’s team take shape as they prepare for their first season in the Big V.
“Hopefully we get to see the men’s team go through the same growth phase over the next few years and we see some of the club’s youngsters giving it a go and making the senior team.”
Meanwhile, Venom’s Big V men’s tryouts will commence on Tuesday October 6 at Warrandyte Sports Complex from 8.30pm. Players interested in trying out are encouraged to attend sessions held each Tuesday and Thursday evening during October.
Last Modified on 18/08/2009 15:39
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