Sunday 26^th November witnessed the first session of the inaugural SEABL Development Squad take place at the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre. Designed to begin the process of educating our U/16 top age and our U/18 athletes in the transition from junior to senior level basketball.

The one hour on court session focussed on individual skill work and was headed up by our Youth League Head Coaches Brendan Jackson, Braden Cotter and Director of Coaching, Alan McAughtry.

From the court, the group of 34 athletes moved to the multipurpose room for a brief discussion with the coaches followed by a presentation by Rob Mason on ‘fuelling your body’. This included pregame, during game and post - game nutrition and hydration, giving the young players vital information on how professional athletes prepare for practice, competition and in everyday general wellbeing.

DVBA CEO Ross Wignell was on hand to share his experience both as a player, coach and in his role of player and coach development with Basketball Victoria for 13 years.

Along with athlete development, it is a great opportunity for coaches to attend these sessions to help understand what goes into developing their own skills.

Our Men’s SEABL Head Coach Grant Wallace and Assistant Coach Dee Butler were on hand and were also able to briefly address the group.

“It was very encouraging to see the number of young athletes taking responsibility for their own development and to spend time with our coaches. Providing this opportunity for both coaches and athletes to learn, prepare and be exposed to more education from the wealth of knowledge in their own home association is a great initiative and very important” – Alan McAughtry