This morning I was in a meeting with representatives of the Doncaster East and Templestowe Bendigo Bank branches on a matter unrelated to EDJBA business and in the course of the conversation Ray Lord, former chairman of the group, was recounting an experience he had had with the bank’s sponsorship of basketball for children with an intellectual disability at Doncaster.

Games involving children with an intellectual disability take place on a regular basis and representatives of the bank and the parents of the children attend.  The parents often accompany their children onto the court during games to assist them with the skills of the game.

One of the most rewarding experiences for Ray occurred when a boy who needed considerable support during a game off his own bat took off and actually scored a goal unassisted.  This was a landmark day for all concerned and the joy this moment brought to everyone involved but particularly the boy was for Ray monumental.

It made me think that we all get involved in the organisation of basketball and in particular the EDJBA for varying reasons.  Primarily the reason for putting one’s hand up is because one’s children start playing but this is not always the case.

Whatever one’s reason it is very easy to lose sight of why we are doing this when the demands of fixturing, scheduling and the many other myriad tasks required confront us.

It has never ceased to amaze me how so many people in basketball readily volunteer, often without thanks or compensation, to ensure a high quality of delivery of training and competition for all participants. This is particularly true of the EDJBA.

I think in the end it is moments of personal triumph like the experience enjoyed by the boy in the game at Doncaster that make it all worthwhile.

Some of the children we provide a competitive outlet for go on to play for Australia while others derive satisfaction playing with their friends.

So when we are asking ourselves why we do it think back to those moments when you experienced a moment like Ray and realise that the hard work, if it makes a difference for one person, is well and truly worth it.

The Executive thank everyone involved in the EDJBA for making a difference in the lives of so many.

Ron Carlton
President EDJBA