Scotch College

Jason McCartney inspires basketball boys

Jason McCartney

The will to survive, the determination to overcome great adversity, and the ability to achieve almost impossible goals, were the positive characteristics and messages delivered by sportsman Jason McCartney, former AFL Kangaroos football player and survivor of the 2001 Bali terrorist attacks at a breakfast in the Cardinal Pavilion on 29 July. Over 100 students, parents and teachers attended this event, organised by the Basketball Slam Dunk Club and sponsored by parent Drew Cossar. The messages were clear: set goals and never give up. This was a timely message for all the students, especially the boys in the midst of their Year 12 studies.

Jason delivered a powerful talk, accompanied by visual imagery from Bali, from his time in the hospitals, and along his road to recovery. At the end of his presentation, when the last slide depicted his emotional return to football after months of rehabilitation, everyone in the room was momentarily quiet, showing great respect for a man who presented inspiration for everyone.

The conclusion of the Scotch basketball season was marked on 9 August with a presentation night, featuring former basketball captains in a match against the current Scotch College basketball Firsts: age and experience vs youth and strength. The wisdom, tenacity and skills exhibited by the Old Boys enabled them to retain the honour of Presentation Night Match winners for the third year in a row. This year saw Angus Grey (’04), captain of basketball 2003 and 2004 return to the Glenn Centre, but wearing the yellow singlet of the Old Boys’ team. Former Captain, Adrian Hughes (’91), unable to play due to multiple knee injuries, coached the Old Boys to a comfortable win. Each point scored by David Forsyth (’98) was cheered by the Year 8 Scotch basketball players whom he had coached, alongside Mr Jeff Watson, throughout this season. Brett Mummery (’97), well known to many of the current players, continued to show why he is a star player in the Hawthorn Magic Men’s VBL team.

The match had been preceded by a friendly 3-on-3 competition between teams of mixed age levels and was followed by dinner and medallion presentations in the Cardinal Pavilion. The medallions, presented by the coaches, recognised the achievements of individual players from each team who demonstrated those characteristics so valuable in team sport.

Presentation of the Slam Dunk Trophy, a ‘best and fairest award’, voted by the players of the first and second squad, was made to Firsts player Nicholas Thomas. This prestigious award recognises the quiet achievements of a player who has earned the respect and friendship of his peers and has shown the characteristics of a skilled and dedicated team player.

Presentation night, with an attendance of 220 people, concluded a very fulfilling basketball season at Scotch College, with a successful pre-season tour for senior players to New Zealand, followed by a season opening barbecue in May, followed by the Jason McCartney breakfast in July. In September Scotch College Basketball hosted 12 players, accompanied by staff, from Scots College Sydney, organising a round of competitive matches against Scotch, Haileybury, Caulfield Grammar, Camberwell Grammar and Trinity College. In December, a group of 11 Scotch College basketball players heads to the USA for three weeks of matches and touring.

The Slam Dunk Club is the Parent Support Group for Basketball at Scotch College. Throughout the season an online newsletter is available by following the link on the Slam Dunk webpage http://www.scotch.vic.edu.au/Sport/Bball/slamdunk/slamdunk.htm.

Subscribers to a basketball email alert system are kept up to date with weekly bulletins during the season and when special events occur. Players, parents, coaches and Old Boys are welcome to join the email list by sending an email to scotch.basketball@scotch.vic.edu.au. Ellen Eadie Basketball Newsletter Editor Slam Dunk Club committee member