The 2011 SEABL Season Is The Best Ever

What is going on with the 2011 South-East Australia Basketball League that prompts a post and the weighty declaration of “the best ever”?

Up front, I admit that my ‘best ever’ declaration is coloured by the facts that the 2011 competition is barely three weeks old and I've not actually followed any prior SEABL season. 

Regardless, I LOVE this season! 

I have only watched six games, but WHAT GAMES!  I’ve seen some great sports and I’m not just talking about the basketball games.

I’ve lost my voice from cheering, hurt my hands by clapping too hard, got sore cheeks from smiling so much, almost had an asthma attack from laughing and I can’t tell you how often I’ve had to swallow really hard to stop the happy tears.  

Yes, I’ve only seen six games so far, but, if the six games I’ve seen are an indication of what SEABL is like ... I'm a fan. 

Here’s the background. 

The Tertiary PLACE’s Physical Activities Program Director, Mary McKenna, and Spartans men’s Captain, Greg Vanderjagt, have been doing some incredible things for people with disabilities: SportSTAR; Aussie Hoops; BRW Triathlon; Functional Fitness; Assistant Manager (AM) for the Under 18 Rep Team.  Some other time I’ll talk about that stuff, but, their collaborations have led to this …

Each week one of the adults connected with The Tertiary PLACE, is welcomed into the sphere of professional basketball as one of the team.  As an AM, they sit on the bench for the Spartans women’s and men’s teams and the visiting women’s and men’s teams.  They fold the towels and hand them to the players, fill water bottles and do whatever else they can do to help.

I will share just two observations which have prompted the accolade of ‘best ever’. 

1. Being part of a ‘team’ is potent.

It’s taken some preparation to get our guys (who are staunch supporters of the Spartans) to assist on the opposing bench.  What I’ve seen is that our AM’s actually assimilate into the opposition teams and wholeheartedly cheer for them.  When the Geelong Supercats brought up team shirts for our AM’s to wear it was icing on the cake!

2. These professional athletes are very kind and thoughtful. 

Our AM’s have joined in the huddles, run on court with the team and no one got irritated when one of them offered this bit of friendly game advice, “Next time work more on your defence”.

This ‘best ever’ SEABL season is an amazing example of social inclusion.

Perhaps to really get it, you do have to be there.  You should come along and see for yourself.