Proud parents celebrated with ecstatic children during an awards night that revealed the heart at the core of the Warby Weapons Basketball Club.
Players and their families caught up with coaches and friends on 20 September to celebrate the awards presentation, have a sausage sizzle and partake in an auction.
Warby Weapons president and coach Deni Clark said the night, which was hosted at the Warburton Bowls Club, was “really fantastic”.
“It was a really great time to reflect on all of the wonderful achievements from that season as a club but also to celebrate the individual efforts of our players as well,” Ms Clark said.
Just under 100 people attended where they participated in an auction with goods supplied by local businesses, played games of lawn bowls and had sausage sizzle for dinner.
The awards night saw silverware handed to all players while six were given the special Weapons Way award – an alternative to the traditional best and fairest award that recognises effort, dedication and attitude.
“Our coaches give the Weapons Way Award to the team member who best reflected our values, which is respect, resilience and inclusion.
“Six people received those awards because of how they stood out in terms of reflecting those values in their teams and also off the court as well,” Ms Clark said.
The Warby Weapons is a club aimed at being inclusive to all and encourages players to follow its key values which are respect, resilience and inclusion.
Each player wore a smile of pride and joy as they received their medal, and the coaches were no exception.
Local businesses such as Local Fuel Wesburn also awarded rookies with awards while ADRA Op Shop Warburton attended and provided a donation to the club.
Ms Clark said the awards night was significant because it helps build the players’ confidence and self-esteem.
“It’s so special when I see the look on the face of a child who’s being recognised for all of their effort, because I think that really helps us contribute to their internal dialogue… and build up their own sense of self-belief,” Ms Clark said.
A week earlier, the club gave parents the opportunity to reflect on a moment at the club which reflected its values and these answers were then read out on the night.
What it resulted in was a realisation that playing for the Warby Weapons was a lot more than just “basketball to win games”.
Instead, Ms Clark said the majority of parents were moved by the community connection that accompanies it.
“It was so incredible that so much of the feedback wasn’t actually about basketball but it was about what the club has done for our community,” she said.
From donating to Koha Community Cafe, to visiting Yarra Junction Primary School to offer support after hearing about a local’s brother passing away, the Warby Weapons hold equal passion off the court than they do on it.
“It really blew me away how all these moments that really stood out as moments to remember for our people [were things] beyond the court.”
Though it was the players leaving the night with silverware hanging from their neck, Ms Clark said the parents too were awarded in their own way.
“Behind each player is a whole family that also contributes to the club, and really celebrates our players.
“Having our awards night is also a really special way to thank their families by putting on the night in the first place and celebrating their children, and also celebrating them.
“It’s a really beautiful way that we can give back for all of the fuel and the time that they put in for their kids and therefore our club as well,” Ms Clark said.
As the event wrapped up, Ms Clark said the greatest impact that club has on its players is to remind them of how capable they are, regardless of their physical or intellectual ability.
“They’re celebrated because of who they are, not because of what they can do.
“That’s an incredible gift to me for them to realise that.”
