Strength In Numbers To Underpin U12 Spectres Boys

Just like with the girls, experienced and knowledgeable coaches will oversee the Under 12 boys Spectres program in 2021.

Long-time Spectres coach Stephen Kennedy has been entrusted to oversee the Under 12 boys program, and he recognised that the year ahead poses new challenges like never before.

“With kids not having played since early March, preparing for next season presents a new challenge,” explained Kennedy. “While all the Spectres coaches continue to work with their 2020 team’s online, selecting teams for next season will be tough. Kids haven’t played for 9 months, and while many who are returning have been working on their skills, at under 12 level you rely on the domestic program to help unearth new talent to feed into rep. Without any domestic basketball, we are going to have to be creative.”

The launch of the Future Spectres program has been a resounding success, with Kennedy hopeful that many of the participants will be successful at selection trials. However, as he would explain, it is the depth and quality of the coaches who create a safe and nurturing learning environment that ultimately enables the children to thrive.

“We are so lucky at Nunawading to have so many outstanding coaches across all age groups, but especially at under 12 level. It’s the most important age group at which to teach the fundamental skills that set up the kids and the program for success long term.”

Having coached for more than 25 years, Kennedy is more than qualified to speak from experience. He has led many junior teams to championship success in that time, having also come away with medals at National Junior Classic level. In 2016 he helped guide the Spectres girls back to the Under 14 club nationals after an unusually long absence, and he has also gained experience in coaching overseas, leading a number of Spectres and school teams on US tours. While Kennedy will head up the 12.1’s in 2021, it is strength in numbers where the Spectres program delivers.

Ryan Moran, Geoff Hoarau, Dwayne O’Connor and Roger Skofic form the backbone of the under 12 boys coaching line-up next season. Extremely passionate about developing the skills of the players, they do so while instilling a positive learning environment to ensure the best possible learning and playing experience for everyone involved.

“Ryan [Moran| is a lifelong player and coach at Nunawading and knows what it takes to be a successful Spectres junior, while Geoff [Hoarau] is not only experienced, but one of the most organised, detail-oriented coaches you will ever meet. When you throw in Dwayne [O’Connor] and Roger [Skofic] who are just so enthusiastic and caring, the kids at Spectres next season are in the best possible situation to get the best out of playing representative basketball.”

Director of Coaching Tamie Harvey was thrilled to have such a strong group of coaches across the Spectres program next season, reinforcing the need to have your best coaches overseeing the development of the youngest players.

“At the youngest age groups you need to have your best skills development coaches, and at Nunawading I am thankful we have so many talented people,” said Harvey. “Our under 12 boy’s coaches are all passionate and dedicate themselves to teaching the kids while ensuring plenty of fun along the way. It’s never been a better time than now to play representative basketball with the Spectres.”

Expressions of interest in playing for the Nunawading Spectres in the 2021 VJBL season are now being sought (via the details outlined below), while the Future Spectres program will continue to run every Sunday until basketball can resume, tipping-off at 11:00am. Registrations will continue to be accepted, so be sure you sign up to secure a place for your child and receive a Zoom video link via email along with further instructions.

Register for Future Spectres

Email Melissa Chesterfield via jspadmin@nunawadingbasketball.com.au with the following detail;

• Player Name:
• Player DOB:
• Player Domestic Club:
• Parent/Guardian Name:
• Phone No:
• 电子邮件：

Expressions of Interest for 2021 Junior Spectres Tryouts

You can now also register your expression of for 2021 Spectres junior tryouts. Please complete the expression of interest form for each child 这里.

At this stage, completing the expression of interest does not constitute a commitment or actual registration. This is merely to assist us in planning for the 2021 season.

Tryout pre-registration, including the Spectres Player and Parent Handbook will be made available once the required information is provided by the VJBL.