Chris Chats » Basketball

2010 National Junior Classic

Chris — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:46:40 +0000

Well, I’ve finally taken off the training wheels and created my first solo flash presentation.

Sue helped me with Night On The Town and The Bridge but this is my own baby.

The 2010 National Junior Classic was played in June and it’s the first tournament I have attended since I stopped coaching junior basketball over 20 years ago.

I went along to test my SLR 50D Canon, without a flash, using only the manual control and for the opportunity to take basketball photos .

As I stepped into the stadium for the first game I felt like I was transported back in time to my coaching days and went into a coaching mindset. That lasted only a few seconds. It’s much easier being a grandstand coach these days.

I hope you enjoy this 3 minute flash presentation – 2010 National Junior Classic.

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On The Run

Chris — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 03:54:22 +0000

Get Out Of My Way!

This is one of many photos I took at the 2010 McDonald’s National Junior Classic tournament here in Melbourne, Australia.

The u/16 and U/18 boys’ and girls’ teams played at Dandenong stadium and the U/12 and U/14 boys’ and girls’ teams played at Albert Park stadium.

This photo features players from the U/18 teams, Eastern Mavericks and Northern Suburbs.

It’s been many years since I have attended a junior basketball tournament.

The reason why I attended was to test my camera out.

And also for research on my screenplay which deals with male relationships with a basketball backdrop.

For those into the techie stuff I used my Canon 50D camera with a 24-105mm zoom lens. I used manual (my first time) with 1/500 sec, 3200 ISO. The lighting in the stadium was average and I wish I had a flash which I will buy once I can afford it. Photography is not cheap once you get into it.

I’m sorting through all my photos and intend to create a 3 minute flash presentation with a soundtrack.

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It’s A Good Read

Chris — Mon, 31 May 2010 06:18:57 +0000

As a writer I enjoy it when someone gives me recognition for something I have written.

And my bank manager enjoys it even more when I occasionally get paid for my work.

But what I enjoy most is when I hear the four words that make the ‘pain and ecstasy’ of writing worthwhile.

And those words are ‘it’s a good read.’

I heard those words recently when I was talking to someone I was introduced to at a basketball game.

He said he had read my eBook Sandringham Sabres – The First 25 Years and ‘it’s a good read.’

I felt terrific because this Sabres eBook took ten years to complete.

The other day I re- read the eBook.

And you know what?

It’s a good read!

Footnote: You can read the Sabres eBook here – I’d appreciate any feedback you may have to offer

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Fair Dinkum Leadership

Chris — Tue, 25 May 2010 06:15:08 +0000

The other night I saw a wonderful example of fair dinkum (real) leadership.

I watched an U/14 basketball team train and the coach, about 20 years of age, ran a 4v4 drill.

Although the players were tired from the demanding exercise they stilll gave it their best.

Here’s why.

The coach was;

engaged
in control
enthusiastic
positive
focused
knowledgeable
confident

While watching the coach in action it took me back a few decades to when I was coaching basketball.

I learned early in my coaching career that to lead and inspire people to do their best you have to be fair dinkum.

So the next time you are leading a group of people, ask yourself the following question.

Am I fair dinkum?

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Been There, Done That

Chris — Wed, 12 May 2010 07:55:45 +0000

Lately I’ve been working on my screenplay which focuses on men’s relationships.

It’s set in the Australian basketball scene and my research has led me back to a basketball club I co-founded in 1974.

I needed to tap into the ‘feel’ of coaching and of basketball again, so I can write an authentic screenplay set in modern times.

I’m currently following the U/18 boys’ representative team which plays in the championships competition here in Melbourne, Australia. I’m attending their training sessions and games as an observer.

The other night I walked into a stadium to watch them play. As I looked at the three basketball courts in front of me I took a deep breath and was suddenly ‘boomeranged’ back into the past as a coach.

It was as if I had never left and the 20-year break vanished in a second.

Although I am still enthusiastic about basketball, watching American college and professional games on television, it’s unlikely I’d go back to full time coaching again.

My basketball past is fun to visit but I don’t want to live there.

Besides, ‘I’ve been there, done that’.

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