It was with great sadness that the greater basketball community learned of the sudden passing of Lorraine Kapnoullas yesterday afternoon.

Lorraine of course is well known for her involvement in the Rosanna East Basketbell Club within the DVBA and the hundreds of kids that have gone through that club over the years, many of them now well into their adult hood as Lorraine was starting into her 'next generation' of coaching kids.

Lorraine's basketball involvement extended further to Junior Championship, she head coached the very important under 12 girls age group for some years at Diamond Valley and not without significant success including a VC title.

What many did not see was her work with even younger kids.  For years she ran the 'Eaglets' program, getting kids from six to eight and getting them not only interested in basketball but teaching them valuable skills that would hold them in good stead in years to come.  She was quite the seamstress and made little 'Eaglets' uniforms for them so they would feel part of the program.  This of course was an introduction into domestic and ultimately representative basketball, all in her own time, all off her own bat.

Lorraine started her coaching career over 40 years ago at the old Albert Park stadium and she then settled in to Diamond Valley not long after it opened.  She was also no slouch when it came to playing either, and was seen as recently as a week or so ago playing for Rosanna East in the DVBA senior domestic competition.

In 2008, Lorraine received an award from Basketball Victoria for her hard work and dedication to the sport of basketball.

Her passing has come as a shock to all of us within the DVBA as she has touched the lives of so many not only within our program but in the greater basketball community, locally and interstate.  You only need jump on Facebook and see the many tributes that are flowing through, some from legends of Australian basketball who credit Lorraine with having a significant influence on their lives.

Diamond Valley Technical Director of Coaching Al McAughtry said "There will be many people throughout the community who will miss Lorraine terribly, the basketball fraternity has lost a very important person and a great friend to many".

Her son in law Jason said "judging from the outpouring of people from all over Australia, she touched many people with her love and devotion, she had a gift, a great heart for kids and impacted them in a beautiful way".

From all at the DVBA, to Mike, Debbie, Marian and all the grandkids, our thoughts are with you at this sad time.

Lorraine, you will be sadly missed.