Leading into the holiday period I thought I would take the opportunity to provide the FDBA membership and community with a summary of the 2022 year.
Domestic Competition:
For the first time since 2019, the FDBA has been able to facilitate a full year of domestic competition during 2022 and the reactivation rate has been outstanding. Team registrations have surpassed previous numbers and we now have a record number with 1061 teams registered for the current summer season. This is a 14% increase in registrations compared with the winter season competition which only concluded a couple of months ago. Based on our research, we believe we now have the largest number of junior domestic teams in Australia for a single Association. A lot of this growth is coming from under 8’s and under 10’s which highlights the importance and success of our ‘Introduction to Basketball’ programs, our Covid engagement and reactivation strategies, and the enormous contribution made by the volunteers at the club level to recruit new basketballers.
Officials:
Like most community sports, the FDBA suffered a reduction in referees and officials during Covid and whilst competition was reactivated. The recruitment of referees has been and will continue to remain a focus, the good news is that we now have more registered referees than we had pre-Covid. Whilst ongoing training and development are provided, many of the new officiating referees are young and inexperienced. It will take them time to become fully proficient, with this in mind I ask everyone to be patient, and encourage them not to criticize, abuse or poor behaviour towards our referees will not be tolerated.
Inclusion:
During the year the FDBA was nominated and subsequently a finalist in the Victorian Disability Awards which recognises the achievements of individuals, teams, and organisations that promote the rights and inclusion of people with disability. Our nomination was an acknowledgment of the outstanding work and growth achieved with our All Abilities and Walking Basketball Programs, with both programs now at record numbers. To be considered a finalist was a wonderful achievement and clearly demonstrates our real commitment to our Inclusion strategy and beliefs. Speaking of great things, how amazing is it to see the BAM Arts Café now at the stadium. BAM Arts Inc is a non- for-profit organisation who are dedicated to providing arts programs, events, and opportunities for people with disabilities of all ages, you may have seen them performing during our NBL1 games. The Café provides the opportunity for training and development and will have long-lasting positive effects on individuals who are very fast becoming excellent Baristas. I would strongly encourage everyone to grab a coffee from the BAM Baristas next time you are at the stadium.
Basketball Victoria Association of the Year:
With enormous pride, the FDBA has been crowned the Basketball Victoria Association of the Year. The award recognises the Association that displays excellence in everything they do, including but not limited to participation, governance, inclusion, and equality. There are over 160 Basketball Associations in Victoria, and we are immensely proud that we are considered the best by our peak body Basketball Victoria.
Stadium Redevelopment:
Over the past few years, the FDBA Board of Management, CEO, and Staff have worked tirelessly advocating all levels of government for financial support to redevelop our aging Bardia Avenue stadium. We have demonstrated the urgent need for improved facilities, and for more courts to support our continued participation growth. As a result, the FDBA has attracted $45 million dollars in funding which consists of 3 equal contributions from Frankston City Council, The Federal Labor Party represented by the Federal Member for Dunkley Peta Murphy, and the State Labor Party represented by the State Member for Frankston Paul Edbrooke.
The FDBA will be forever grateful and cannot thank enough Mayor Cr Nathan Conroy and the Frankston Council, Peta Murphy, and Paul Edbrooke for their continued support of the FDBA and for their absolute commitment to supporting the local Frankston community via investment in infrastructure.
We anticipate planning for the redevelopment will commence early in 2023 but it should also be noted that earlier this year the Frankston Council compulsorily acquired the land previously owned by Kingston car sales and the Federal Government then committed to building a multi-level commuter car park on that land that adjoins the stadium, once developed this will be an enormous benefit to basketball patrons.
Representation Basketball:
Our representative arm, the Frankston Blues continue to be a force at both junior and senior levels. We have had some terrific results with numerous Junior Blues teams performing at an elite level and the Senior Blues having an enormously successful season culminating in the Youth League Women and Men both winning championships, and the NBL1 Men being runner-up in the National Championship. I like to thank all Blues coaches, officials, volunteers, and players for your continued support and dedication to the Blues Representative Program.
FDBA Board of Management:
Our hardworking volunteer Board of Management has established a new 3-year strategic plan which really is the blueprint for the success and sustainability of the Association. We have achieved so much over the past few years, and it’s been exciting to witness however there is more work to be done. The next few years are arguably the most important of our Associations history, the stadium redevelopment, continuing to support and provide an inclusive and equal environment, and participation growth are our priorities. The Board will continue to work hard on delivering guidance to our staff on values that support our vision and overall strategic plan.
Closing:
It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge and thank the FDBA staff for their hard work, dedication, and loyalty to the Association. Our staff are simply amazing job, they work tirelessly to ensure everything runs smoothly, scheduling over 500 games per week using 23 courts in various locations takes an enormous amount of planning and execution, I may be biased, but I do believe our staff is the best in the business and we are extremely fortunate to have them.
It would also be remiss of me not to highlight the amazing work of our volunteers, the FDBA BoM members, club officials, team delegates, coaches, and team managers. Volunteers are the glue that holds us together, I sincerely thank all our volunteers for their selflessly supporting the Association and the community.
Finally, I would like to wish everyone a wonderful and safe Christmas and New Year period. I look forward to seeing everyone back at the stadium in 2023, it’s going to be an exciting year for Frankston Basketball.
Tim Bower – FDBA President