Following announcements made by Daniel Andrews on the afternoon of 12th February 2021, the Eltham Wildcats has shut down all basketball programs and office operations until the morning of Thursday 18th February at the earliest, pending Government advice.
The Eltham Wildcats support the decision by Basketball Victoria and the VJBL to cancel this evening’s games as the ethical thing to do in the current landscape despite the lockdown beginning at midnight tonight.
Whilst the hard and fast lockdown is hard news to swallow for all of us, from our junior players to our adult volunteers through to our game officials and staff, we’ve done this before and we know we can get through it. We learnt in the past year just how important our community is for the well-being of people and the importance of staying connected and engaged.
From a Wildcats perspective, I’d like people to reflect on how lucky we have been as members of this club. Coming out of Lockdown #1, our children were back on the courts as early as they were safely approved to do so. Whilst we couldn’t play games, hundreds of children were given the chance to take the courts as dozens of volunteers stepped out to reintroduce children to basketball. We squeezed in 2 ½ weeks of trainings and did so in a safe manner.
Coming out of Lockdown #2 in partnership with the EDJBA, we were one of four Melbourne competitions and the only competition through the north of Melbourne that was ready to resume back to the courts when the time was right. We’ve had the opportunity to play 8 rounds of junior domestic Saturday basketball when most others have had just a single round last weekend. Our Junior Championship teams had their trials completed, multiple practice games and worked their way through most of Grading Phase 1 and of course those that chose to participate in our tournament (domestic and championship) had the opportunity to safely play 3-5 games! Our adult competition teams had the opportunity to access free training sessions, before going into competition play and our beginner programs have returned in record numbers.
Whilst today is hard news, we can be incredibly proud that our amazing community has taken full advantage in a safe manner to take to the basketball courts, keeping everyone active both mentally and physically. This is just five days. Let’s do the right thing, consider this a ‘pause’ and be ready to go once again next week.
This will be a difficult period of time for many. With the welfare of the broader community at the front of mind, we strongly encourage our members to stay connected with one another. If there are people you know are struggling with this period, a reminder that formal support networks are available through Lifeline 13 11 14 and Headspace https://headspace.org.au/ or via our Wellbeing Program welfare@elthamwildcats.net.au.
We have started 2021 with a bang and you know in less than a week, we’ll be ready to go once again. With an amazing new facility being built at Montmorency SC, another opening at St Helena SC and a full calendar of basketball events; the Wildcats are ready to go!
Cancelled until the morning of Thursday 18th February:
❌ Introductory Programs (Cub Squad & Skills & Drills)
❌ Saturday Junior Domestic Trainings & Games
❌ Junior Championship Trainings & Games
❌ Senior Domestic
❌ Big V & NBL1 Trainings
Greg Jeffers
Eltham Wildcats Basketball
Chief Executive Officer
