Before a blink of an eye 2012 flew by very quickly. A fantastic effort and congratulations to all players on a very successful year. We saw a record number of boys and girls enjoying and playing the game of basketball. 

And what a year it was. We had an increase in membership and had a total of 109 registered players in the Club, which formed 14 teams. Of the 14 teams 9 made it to the Semi finals and of the 9 we had 4 Grand Final winners bringing home the Gold. Well done boys and girls. A special congratulation to all our players, coaches, managers and parents.

It was pleasing to see quite a number of our TSS Suns players making the CIC and GPS top teams. The change of GPS terms had minimal disruption to the Suns season. It is without a doubt that TSS Suns makes a valuable contribution to the basketball program at TSS.

We saw a few of our junior players and past members get involved in coaching the lower age groups within the Club and this has been an area of continued effort by the Director of Coaching with a long term view of development that will see the club well placed for years to come.

On a player front, a number of our junior members were selected to compete at National level competitions; these boys and girls have worked very hard to achieve their goals and were fortunate enough to attend Nationals in 2012. Special mentions go to:

Represented at Under 14 Nationals in Perth – James Mahoney (TSS Suns U15 Div 1 team)

Represented at Under 16 Nationals in Tamworth– Luke Richardson (TSS Suns U17 Division 1 team)

Represented at Under 18 Nationals Perth – Andrew Lomakin (TSS Suns U19 Division 1 team)

Represented at Under 18 School boy Nationals in Melbourne – Matt Gullotta (TSS Suns U19 Division 1 team)

Andrew Lomakin was selected in the Men’s U20 Queensland State Squad to compete in 2013 Australian U20 and Ivor Burge Championships in Launceston.

Shelly Gullotta was selected to go to the Deaf Olympics in 2013 in Bulgaria (TSS Suns U17 Division 1 team)

Our U19 Division 1 boys Matthew Gullotta, Jackson McTier, Andrew Lomakin, Brodie Munson, Jalen Crawford, Jackson Wichlinski and Jordan Gregory will be heading down to Melbourne in December to compete in the 2012 Australian Schools Championships.

And many more players remain involved in the Gold Coast Regional Basketball competition.

Overall it is an awesome effort and achievement by our players. I wish all of these players the best of luck and I am sure you will do yourselves, your families, the school and the Club proud. 

For the last three years our Registration fees have remained the same and in an environment with costs escalating, I believe it is a positive indication of the effective financial management we have bestowed across the Club’s activities.

Our club achieved the following:

• We made available a financial reimbursement to a number of players competing at National Level during 2012 to assist with some of the costs associated with competition at this level.
• We were in a position to financially assist our volunteer coaches and managers this year with a small financial contribution to cover some of their costs.
• We successfully tendered for volunteer grants.
• We successfully held a coaching clinic during the July holidays.
• Andrew Lomakin successfully obtained a level 1 Coaching certification
• We provided ‘Thank you’ gifts to our senior boys in appreciation of their contribution over the years in the club
• Provided assistance during the 7 week CIC program at Prep school
• Provided assistance to Dave Claxton in the 6 week Prep school Basketball development program

I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all our committee for doing an amazing job. It is their support and effort that enabled our club to grow and prosper as it has done over the last 12 months. You are appreciated!

A warm and fuzzy thank you to Dave Claxton and The Southport School who generously give support and aid to our Club.

I look forward to another successful year in 2013 and I hope to see many new faces get involved in the running of our club to ensure we can spread the load and continue to provide our members and families an enjoyable family experience through the game of basketball.

Yours in basketball

Helen Lomakin

President