FRESH faces and new perspectives are always needed within basketball… and that’s especially the case when we look towards volunteering.
Volunteering should not just be an avenue for ex-players, parents and family friends. There is value for every age range to roll up their sleeves and give back to a game that in many cases is still giving to them.
One of our Victorian Country junior stars Liam Porter started his volunteering earlier than most and is relishing the opportunities presented throughout country basketball to him.
It is not uncommon to see players take up the clipboard once their careers are well and truly over… but Porter has a foot in both camps following a successful first foray into elite coaching.
After earning his place in the Victoria Country under-16 men’s team in 2017 – that headed over to Perth in July for the national championships – Porter continued to add to his basketball resume by dipping the toe into coaching.
He traded his Southern Peninsula Sharks and Vic Country gear for a clipboard as the Sundowners boys head coach at the 2017 Basketball Victoria Country Jamboree, held last week in Echuca.
While most teenagers are keen on fixing their own game, especially when they’re already at the elite state representative level, it gave Porter a great deal of excitement to give back to the country pathways that have and are doing so much for him.
It’s a fair bit on one basketball plate to juggle, but Porter wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I think ultimately my passion for coaching has stemmed from my love of learning,” Porter said. “Coaching is amazing because every experience manifests a new lesson to learn, not only about the X’s and O’s of the sport but you as an individual.
“Also, the beauty of coaching, like learning, is that you can’t lose knowledge you can only gain it.
“As a coach, you are presented with the opportunity to draw the best out of someone and the thrill you receive when this is achieved is indescribable and makes the hours of voluntary work very worthwhile.”
It also helps Porter connect with the values set out by players and coaches before him. The people he looks up to and those friends and mentors he’s made along the way as he goes through the pathway.
“After recently walking in the shoes of the emerging athletes, being part of the camaraderie and culture cemented by all Basketball Victoria Country volunteers has become extremely important to me,” Porter said. “Lifelong friendships have been made throughout all levels within the BVC High Performance Program and as a coach I would love to give back and be a part of that for the next generation of athletes.”
Being at last year’s Jamboree and helping the next generation learn the game is one of the more pleasing aspects of Porter’s volunteering. He hopes to stay involved with that side of the game for many years to come.
“It’s been really good- I’m used to being on court myself but it’s really good to give back a little bit to the kids and share my knowledge as a player,” Porter said. “I love the experience, I love Country Vic and love what they do and the friendships that are made are awesome and I love being able to learn something every time I’m on the floor so I wanted to give back.”
It’s all about education and insight for the star guard, who has an eye on the future with starting his coaching credentials early.
“I reckon so – I thought I’d give it a crack and I’d give the more experienced a bit of a run for their money and I’m definitely learning every time I’m on the floor and I’m ready to see how far it takes me,” Porter said. “It has shown me a lot of different ways of learning and different ways to communicate my knowledge to the boys; everyone learns in different ways and I’ve learned ways to communicate that.”