On the 11^th of December, the Waverley Falcons U18 VC boys embarked on a teambuilding, eye opening and fulfilling experience. The boys were invited by Kangan Institute to participate in a VCAL program ran by the clients of the Melbourne Youth Justice Centre in Parkville. The day involved training sessions, games, prize give away, as well as sharing lunch, friendships and laughter with the clients. The basketball program was run by both Waverly Falcons Coach Eric Minerve and Luke Egan from the YMCA staff at the venue.

 

The idea of going to a centre like this was very confronting for many of the Waverly boys, and many had to be convinced by Coach Eric Minerve that this would be a valuable and memorable experience, and this was found to be true. The day began with a security induction where the rules and regulations were explained to us. Accompanied by staff, we were passed through the many levels of security until we reached the basketball gym in the centre. After a slow start, common interests and the love of basketball brought everyone together, and by lunch time jokes, high fives and even dunks had been shared between the two groups. 

 

Everyone survived Eric and Luke’s training… just, and we were welcomed for lunch with the clients, which was organised by the VCAL students of the centre. The lunch period was the most interesting and rewarding time for the Waverly boys. We spoke and shared stories with all clients in the basketball program. As well as a love of basketball, we discovered we have a lot in common with each other, ranging from music, movies to previous basketball clubs we had come from. The day was capped off by and all-star game, where the U18 Waverly Falcons were taught a few lessons on how to play basketball by the members of MYJC.

 

The Waverly Falcons U18 team had a fantastic team building, and community building day and when approached by MYJC for future involvement, we more than happy to accept.

 

Written By Jack Blackburn - Team Co-Captain u18.1 Waverley VC Boys..

 

As special thank you goes out to everyone that gave up there time to be Involved & also organise this special day :

 

Jack Blackburn

Michael Harper

Nick Tonkin

Tim Luak

Declan Harrick

Alex Capper

Sebastian Evans

Ryan Denman

Matt Hancock

Susan Hancock - Team Manager

Mary-Ellen Blackburn - Event Organiser

Eric MInerve - Coach

 

 

In other news!!!

 
The u18.1 & U18.2 Boys have both qualified into the Victorian Championship League before Christmas making club history in 2009 as Waverley has never been able to qualify 2 teams within an age group into XX grading before Christmas in previous years. Credit goes out to all the boys & coaches involved for there hard work at training to prepare for a successful grading phase one.  This is a fantastic acheivement for a small club like Waverley which has far lesser drawing pool of talent than many of the other bigger clubs out there, as we are the only club in Victoria with 2 u18 boys teams that have qualified into VC before Chirstmas. All the boys involved in both teams will be working very hard over summer to prepare for 2010 Victorian Championship Season.
 
Also both the u18.1 & u18.2 boys competed at the Shepparton Country Junior Tournament the weekend of the 5th & 6th Of December. The tournament was a great opportunity for team bonding and getting everyone on court playing some additional games together. The u18.1 Boys were Premiers of the A division & the u18.2 Boys were runners up in Grand final of B division. Overall a very successful weekend for the u18 boys in Shepparton.