9-year-old Apollo Rockets U10 Basketballer, Harrison Zoch has a love of the game of Basketball - like many other children his age. The sport presents challenges to athletes of all ages, especially young athletes who are set the task of building the foundation of both their athletic development and their fundamental skills to play the game.

Harrison is presented with the same challenges, though his task is far greater than most. Harrison is one of less than 5% of children who suffer from Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), a condition in which a child will experience difficulty in processing what is heard in the same way other children would, because their ears and brain don't fully coordinate. This affects children both socially and in learning environments such as school.

Those with APD have something that interferes with the way the brain recognizes and interprets sounds, especially speech. The degree of difficulty rises when there is background noise, which is often the case in social situations. Children with APD can have trouble understanding what is being said to them when they're in noisy places like a playground, a shopping centre, parties … or basketball stadiums.

Harrison’s symptoms emerged in Kindergarten when he showed difficulty in acquiring motor skills and sustaining his concentration and stamina on tasks – things that were vividly different to many kids of a similar age. Beyond those signs, Harrison was a normal, quiet kid.

It wasn’t until grade 2 that things became difficult. Harrison began to lose his place with friendship group. His condition made playing sport a tough mountain to climb and he would often choose to not participate in Basketball or Footy games that his friends were playing at school, opting to just watch, feeling like he didn’t fit in. Harrison felt alone. Then came a tipping point. Harrison asked his parents if he could join a team and play Basketball. He loved the sport and had had enough of sitting on the sidelines – he wanted to give this thing a go. 

Understandably, Harrison’s parents had reservations about whether or not it was a good idea – given his condition and how the situations he would be put in may affect his confidence and how other children treated him, not understanding the challenges he faces.

Eventually the decision was made to seek the good and not fear the bad. Harrison would join the Apollo Rockets U10 C1 team in order TO ‘fit in’ with other kids. Basketball would be the VEHICLE to help grow his confidence, and filter into all areas of his life. 
Given the discrepancy in his motor skills and strength, Harrison began weekly personal training sessions at the gym at Diamond Valley – working on his agility, coordination patterns and basic strength using body weight and medicine balls. This extra work was all with the intent to help him both in his everyday function, but also his Basketball – where those physical attributes would be under the spotlight. 

A few weeks into his Basketball endeavor, it became clear that Harrison’s motivations were simple. He was happy to the core when he was on the court and playing. Just to touch the ball in a game was the most fulfilling thing for him, and considered a win. To him, putting on his Apollo Rockets uniform was a symbol of a greater purpose. It was a symbol of belonging, and his chest would puff out and he’d stand a bit taller when he had it on. There were often days where he wouldn’t take his uniform off – he felt special with it on, and this growth in belief and sense of belonging fueled a slow, but upward climb in his performances in games. 

Despite the limitations of his condition and the steeper-than-most learning curve faced, Harrison’s Rockets teammates were nothing but supportive and inclusive. They had no knowledge or grasp of what he was dealing with – but would still pass him the ball if he was open and make a point to give him a hug or pat on the back when he did well in games or trainings.

One of the most cherished moments in a child’s life and a family’s lasting memories is when the child scores their first basket. For the Zochs, it was a weekly test of their emotions as they would witness Harrison gain an opportunity to score and have their ‘heart in their mouth’ as his shot attempts would be blocked by opposition players who reacted faster, or Harrison’s shots would fall short of the goal; barely brushing the net.

Every week the tension would mount. It wouldn’t register with Harrison, but the anticipation from the Zochs, the Rockets parents and the coach, Kylie Hogan would grow. They wanted this for him. His skills and his strength grew, week by week, and the ball would creep closer and closer to tipping over the front of the rim with every attempt. Kylie Hogan was highly influential in keeping a positive environment around Harrison by always praising his effort, never judging him on end results, and setting him the verbal task each week - ‘Harrison, get us a basket today’. Each week Harrison would nod. Challenge accepted.

Fast forward to the last game of the domestic season, right before the July school holidays. Harrison’s Apollo team were to play Cougars at Parade College. The team was firing on all cylinders in the first half, taking a lead into the halftime break. It wasn’t until the 10 minute mark of the second half that Harrison attempted his first shot for the game, a miss short of the basket.

It is unclear whether coach Kylie Hogan instructed or Harrison’s teammates decided on their own, but a trend began where all the Rockets players started trying to pass specifically to him. They would work their backsides off defensively to secure possession and then do all in their power to get Harrison the ball … 

You’ll need to watch the video to see how the story ends ---> http://on.fb.me/1Ko688I