Information Booklet

Office hours

Tuesday to Friday: 2.30pm - 5.00pm
Sunday 10.30am - 11.30am (not during school or public holidays)

Mission statement

To be recognised as a successful basketball club which provides opportunities that enable every player, coach and supporter to reach their full potential scholastically, vocationally, as an athlete and as a person.

Club Values

1. We endeavour to enhance the long-term development of all players to their ultimate potential in their sporting, scholastic, vocational and personal lives.
2. We deal with fellow club members with honesty and integrity.
3. While the good of the Sturt Sabres Basketball Club is paramount, we recognise the worth and the contributions of the individual.

Club objectives

1. To maintain on-court success at all levels.
2. To maintain and expand a professional and efficient administrative base to support Sturt club members.
3. To establish the Pasadena Stadium as the physical, social and spiritual home of the Sturt Basketball Club

Club Ombudsman

The club has appointed an ombudsman for any complaints or problems within the club

We ask you to first speak to your Coach, Age Group Co-ordinator, Junior/Senior Coaching Directors or Basketball Manager before writing to our Ombudsman. If you feel you cannot do this, then please feel free to write and post or place in the Letter box at the Stadium in the Sturt Sabres PIGEON HOLE located at the front of the Stadium. All letters will be dealt with in a confidential manner.

Steve has been a parent/committee member of our Club for the past 15 years and his children have been through all levels of basketball from Under 10 to ABL Men/Women.

Please address

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr. Steve Bowley
17 Catherine Street
CLAPHAM 5062
JUNIOR PLAYER POLICY

1. Players are expected to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the club at all times.
2. Players must wear the correct uniform to and at all games.
3. To play, a player must have paid subscriptions by the due date.
4. Except for Under 10, Division 1 players have no guaranteed court time. In all other grades, players should receive approximately equal court time over the whole season, provided they abide by the rules set down for:
a. Attendance and punctuality
b. Behaviour and appearance
c. Attitude towards their team, team mates, coaches and referees
5. Once selected to play for the Sturt Club, players playing continuous seasons with Sturt will be guaranteed a position within a Sturt Team.
6. Positions may be in a team playing in either the BSA competition, the City South competition or both.
7. Players not selected in a Sturt team may train with a team only with the consent of the Junior Coaching Director

Junior player expectations

1. You must arrive at the venue, at least 15 minutes before trainings and 30 minutes before games in the appropriate uniform to prepare.
2. At some training venues, particularly schools, it may not be appropriate to arrive more than 15 minutes before. Please look at notices posted at these venues for more details.
3. You must treat training venues with utmost respect and leave them clean and tidy. Report any damage immediately to your coach. Any damage that you cause either inadvertently or by misbehaviour will be billed to you, and may result in further disciplinary action if it is the result of misbehaviour.
4. If you cannot attend training (or will be late), you (not your parents) must inform the coach directly (not through someone else) BEFORE the session commences.
5. You must wear the reversible training singlet and bring a white T-shirt, plastic skipping rope, basketball and water bottle to each training.
6. Under 16 and Under 18 players are expected to maintain satisfactory scholastic results. It is not appropriate to miss a training to study unless you have an examination the next day. If you need help with time management, consult your coach or the Junior Program Manager.
7. You must attend training or games unless you are receiving professional treatment. You should not attend training or games if you are sick.
8. You must inform the coach or instructor of any injuries that may hinder or prevent you during training or games. This is especially important for Athletic Development sessions.
9. You must follow the instructions of the coach or instructor at train­ings. This is especially important at Athletic Development sessions for your own safety.
10. You will not argue or remonstrate with referees in any way during a game. You will be immediately substituted from the game if you do so. If you have a problem tell your coach. The coach will then bring this to the attention of the referees.
11. You will support your team at all times, whether you are on the court or on the bench, both verbally and with correct body language.
12. You must complete cool down routines, debrief and complete any administrative tasks before leaving the training or game venue.

To the players

Welcome to the Sturt Basketball Club for another year. We hope that you will have a positive and worthwhile experience for the next 12 months and beyond.

Basketball is important, but keep a balance in your life. Be the best student you can be, be the best person you can be and be the best player you can be.

When playing or training, we want you to be play hard, play smart and play fair. Respect your opponents by competing at all times. When it is easy do not belittle them, when it is hard keep trying.

You play for Sturt first, your team second and lastly for yourself. You must be willing to make personal sacrifices for the good of your team and club. You should be proud to be a part of one of Australia's most successful sporting clubs, but no one is bigger than the club.

It is vital you communicate with others. If you have issues (or positives) work them out with your team-mates. If you cannot resolve them talk to your coach. If they still have not been resolved talk to the Division 1 Coach, then the Junior Coaching Director if the problem has not been resolved to your satisfaction.

To the coaches

Yours is the most important job in the club.

Be a positive role model for your players. Your players' actions will generally mirror the leadership you provide. The expectations for players are also the expectations for you (and more).

Be firm but fair when dealing with players. Player actions which are contrary to the interests of others, the team or the club must not be tolerated.

Use a variety of approaches with players. Balance criticism with praise where appropriate. Players must learn to deal with constructive criticism, and also learn not get carried away with success.

Constructive criticism means dealing with criticising player behaviour not criticising the individual.

Enjoy the experience. It is most rewarding to be able to work closely with a committed group or player, parents and supporters.

The club thanks you for the sacrifices you make.

To the parents and supporters

We are privileged to be able to work with your son or daughter for the next 12 months and hopefully beyond.

We know and appreciate the enormous personal sacrifices you make, so that your son or daughter can be involved in a worthwhile pursuit. Our success would not be possible without your support.

Sturt has amongst the finest junior coaches in Australia. The time, personal and financial sacrifices they make is balanced by the rewards of success, personal friendship and the opportunity to work with some of the finest young people.

Please be supportive of them. They have to make many decisions every day concerning the welfare of the club, the team and the individual players, and it is not easy. Effective communication is the key between yourself and the coaches.

If you have positive feedback please provide this at any time. If however you have issues that need to be resolved, please follow the appropriate process:

1. Wait a night and then talk to the coach. 95% of problems are resolved here. Coaches are instructed not to deal with negative feedback following a game.
2. If after talking to the coach, the issue has still have not been resolved talk to the Age Group Coordinator, who is normally the Division 1 Coach.
3. If the issue persists contact the Junior Coaching Director.
4. If there is still an issue contact the Club Ombudsman.
5. Finally, if there is still a problem contact the President who represents the Management Committee.

Please follow the above process. Coaching and club management will not deal with issues that have not followed proper procedure. This ensures that everyone communicates and deals with each other openly, honestly and with integrity (a core value of the Sturt Basketball Club). During games or trainings, please support the whole team, not just your son or daughter individually. Coaching from the sidelines, no matter how little or great your knowledge is not appropriate. The coach is the sole source of technical feedback.

By all means, be passionate and vocal. Give encouragement to the Sturt team, and praise good play by our opponents. Refrain from negative feedback towards referees, without them we have no game.

Finally, the club and its management and coaches make many decisions daily for the benefit of the interests of the Sturt Basketball Club first and foremost. Most of the time, these have only positive consequences. Some of the time, they have short-term negative impact on individuals. Accept both of these equally, and educate your child on how to handle success as well as how to negotiate hurdles they encounter. Their ability to cope with both success and failure is the most important lesson we can teach them. It will prepare them to become great citizens, which is our ultimate goal and the mission of the Sturt Basketball Club.

Carnivals

Easter Carnival

It is highly recommended that Under 12 to Under 18 Division 1 and 2 (and competitive Division 3 teams or Under 10 teams) enter the Norwood Easter Carnival. It is a great chance to compete with the best Victorian teams and prepares us well for the State Championships in May. The club appreciates that many families take holidays at this time. We encourage you to compete in this carnival, given that there are at least 3 other long weekends where there are no carnivals (Australia Day, Anzac Day, Labour Day).

State Championships - May Long Weekend

It is compulsory for Under 10 to Under 20 Division 1 and players make themselves available for the State Championships. The Champion Club of SA is the club's most prized junior award, and this is decided based upon results of this weekend.

National Junior Classics

It is compulsory for Under 12 to Under 18 Division 1 players make themselves available for the National Junior Classics on the June long week-end. This is the most prestigious club-based championship in Australia, and Sturt has a proud history of success in this event.

June Long Weekend & January Eltham Tournament

It is highly recommended for all teams to be involved in an interstate tournament on the June long weekend. Choices include Nunawading (Melbourne) or Mildura for Division 3, 4and 5 teams. It is a great chance to compete against interstate teams, have fun and enjoy the company of the other players, parents, coaches and supporters.

Other Carnivals

There are other carnivals in Adelaide and regional South Australia which may interest teams. Provided they do not make it difficult for players to participate in the highly recommended or compulsory carnivals, teams may enter if they wish. Please contact the Carnivals Coordinator for more information.

Carnivals

Court time - division 2 and below

It is our policy that for Divisions 2 and below there will be equal court time over the course of the entire regular season.

However, when Division teams and below are participating in local or interstate carnivals, the coach will endeavour to play all players equally over the course of the round games. If the team makes the finals then there is no guarantee of equal court time during the finals games.

The exception to these rules will be in State Championships and Summer and Winter finals. A player's court time will be at the discretion of the coach during all State Championship games and Summer and Winter finals.

Team Manager

Each team requires a team manager, whose role is to liaise with the team, coach, parents and management. The team manager's role is to provide direct administrative support to the team and to ensure that the club's expectations for the team are followed.

Team Managers must attend monthly meetings to distribute information to the team. They must check the pigeon holes, located in the Pasadena Stadium weekly for other information. Please collect all players' email addresses. This is a very useful tool to provide immediate information.

Team Managers must also organise parents to fulfil bench duties and ensure players drinks and belongings are safe during the game. A Team Manager's manual is available from the Team Managers Coordinator.

City South Competition

The City South Domestic Competition is an initiative of the Sturt Basketball Club. The focus of the competition is to provide a basketball competition which includes development programs by the District Clubs, without the high cost and travel demands currently endured by players who are looking to progress to higher levels in the sport.

The games are currently played on Sunday afternoons at Pasadena stadium at Pasadena High School. The Sunday game program is designed to minimize conflicts with children participating in other sports. This competition is compulsory for selected Div 3-5 Sturt Basketball District players only.

All teams or players are welcome to join the City South Conference. If you would like more information you can find it at www.citysouth.basketball.net.au or you can email us at sturtadmin@internode.on.net or phone our Junior Development Officer, Paul Mesecke on 08 8177 0463 or 0416  754 489.

Fees

The club is financially dependent on subscriptions for income. Fees vary according to the age of and level of the player, and a full list of fees are available by contacting the Assistant Treasurer.

Subscriptions are payable at the beginning of each season. Players un-financial after the advised due date will not be permitted to play. Provision can be made for paying by instalments by contacting the Assistant Treasurer.

Volunteer Program

The club is dependent on the support of volunteers to carry out most of the work it does. Please support this program when you are asked.

BSA passes

For families who have children playing on different days, there are passes available which allow spectators to pay the entrance fee once per week. There is a small fee payable and can be ordered from the Secretary or Door Keeper at Pasadena Stadium (or Westminster School until further notice).

Athletic Development

The physical requirements of basketball continue to increase every year. In order to help our players cope with the physical demands of elite level basketball, the club has provided Athletic Development training.

Under 12 to Under 18 Division 1 and 2 players must undertake regular Athletic Development training as part of the training program. Division 3 and lower players are encouraged to be involved also, however it is not compulsory.

All players undertake regular sessions in running technique, agility and flexibility.

Under 14players are introduced to simple body weight strength exercises. Under 16 players who are sufficiently developed are introduced to basic resistance training. Under 18 players are introduced to more advanced resistance training and plyometrics.

There is a small levy to pay qualified instructors to lead the players. This ranges from $12 per year for Under 12's to $48 per year for Under 18's. For more information contact the Sturt Office.

Blues news

Monthly newsletters available from Team Managers or front foyer at Pasadena Stadium it is also available electronically. Any news/reports/photos emailed to macyar@bigpond.com

Training

All junior players are required to wear the reversible training singlet (with their number attached) to all trainings. Players must also bring a white T-shirt, plastic skipping rope and appropriately sized basketball.

Players are required at least 15 minutes before the start of training to complete warm up routines. At the completion of training, players should complete cool down routines, debriefing and any administrative duties.

Playing uniforms

All junior players are required to wear the correct uniform at all games. Playing shorts, numbered singlet and warm up top are compulsory. All players are allocated a playing number and this cannot be altered. Singlet numbers can be obtained from Sturt Office when ordering of the uniform. Other optional Sturt merchandise may be worn to games as well as plain navy track pants. Street clothes may not be worn to or at games.

Players can purchase their uniform by order forms available at the Sturt Office during office hours.

Please contact the Strut Office during opening hours

Ankle tape also available

Player action response

1. Technical Foul

On receiving a technical foul, player is to be subbed off the court.
Coach to decide upon whether player can play in that game again depending on the severity.
Option to start off the Bench in the next game.
Subsequent breaches must be referred to the Junior Coaching Directors for possible further action.
Severity of penalties will increase for each breach.

2. Poor Sportsmanship

On viewing behaviour the coach deems to be poor sportsmanship, the coach has the option to sub the player off the court.
Automatically sits off for the rest of the game on second offence in the same game.
Subsequent breaches must be referred to the Junior Program Manager for possible further action. Severity of penalties will increase for each breach.

3. Training Attendance

Attendance to training late without prior communication, either verbal or my message to the coach only, option not to start next game, or other consistent team penalty consequence.

Non attendance without a call prior, option not starting in the following game.

Subsequent breaches must be referred to the Junior Program Manager for possible further action. Severity of penalties will increase for each breach.

Training to include those sessions decided upon by the Coach and the Junior Program Manager as required sessions.

Sturt Sabres Management Committee

President: Donald Rodman 0408 834 572

Vice presidents: Anne Einarson 0418 812 108, Andy Osborne, 0439 440 039

Treasurer: Lynn Scholz 0408 895 478

Asst treasurer/Fees: Leanne Noble 0403 354 021

Secretary: Charlotte Goodall 0402 686 391

BOSS Coordinator :- Louise Gibbons 0412 795 358

Junior coaching director: Paul Mesecke  0416 754489

Senior program manager: Graham Kubank 0427 399 009

Co ordinator Assistant:- Melissa Braham 0414 258 065

Singlet coordinator: 8177 0463 (Sturt Office)

Events/fundraising coordinators: Don Moir 0409 808 000  & Dan Sibley 0417 803 726

Blues News coordinator/website: Matthew Cutts 0438 007 769

Team managers coordinator: Ross Womersley 0433 055 406

Sponsorship coordinator:Don Moir & Dan Sibley

Canteen coordinator: Andy & Julia Kareta 8271 6524

City South liaison officer: Paul Mesecke 0416 754 489

Bar coordinators: Dani Warbout 0431 437 509

Administration Officer :- Tim Shortt 08 8177 0463 (Sturt office hours)

Ombudsman: Steve Bowley

Age group coordinators

Under 10 Boys
Under 10 Girls
Under 12 Boys
Under 12 Girls