YMBA representative coach Brett Harvey has been awarded the honour of Life Membership to the YMBA.
Yarrawonga Mulwala Basketball Association (YMBA) Representative coach Brett Harvey has been awarded the prestigious honour of Life Membership.
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Last week YMBA announced Brett and outgoing President Amanda Wheaton would be awarded Life Memberships for their tireless work in the running of the local basketball association.
Brett told the Yarrawonga Chronicle just before he jetted off to the United States to coach a Boys Varsity team that he was greatly honoured to receive this accomplishment at a club he dearly loves.
“It’s incredibly humbling to receive this recognition. The club has been a major part of my life since re-locating from Melbourne 20 years ago,” Brett said.
“I originally joined as I was approached by a parent of a couple of kids (Alex and Harry) asking if I would help coach a team that was interested in playing Representative Basketball at Country Champs that first year in 2010.
“A lady by the name of Mel Welsh introduced me to the club.”
Basketball has run in Brett’s bones for 37 years with his brother originally introducing him to playing before injury forced him to take part in the sideline part of the game, a role he now loves.
“Firstly, my brother started playing it and a friend asked me to join however my playing days were cut short with a knee injury,” Brett said.
“I loved the game and felt that I still had some stuff that I could offer, potentially give back to those that want to learn the game.
“I decided to start coaching juniors in Melbourne as a young adult and then my own playing commitments took up the majority of my time. Of course until my injury and then re-locating to Yarra where Mel approached me about taking on the 12s boys.
“I am now in my 12th year in Yarrawonga and prior to that about 25 years in Melbourne at Blackburn Vikings.
“It’s just great seeing all the athletes competing and winning especially at Rep Level, Country Champs are special wins.
“I would have to say the biggest highlights for me is when you’re involved with kids that love the process of learning and they gain success out of it.
“Having a role in developing and teaching young athletes is an amazing experience.
“You’re not only teaching them the game but life lessons, morals and how to be the best they can be in life, not just the sport.”
Brett has coached many representative sides across his 12 years with the YMBA with great success whilst also being a part of the committee for 11 years, promoting basketball in the region and being one of the driving forces in the progression of the Yarrawonga Multisports stadium project.
Brett has been an integral part of the YMBA for 12 years, coaching many representative sides to success.
He has held several positions within the YMBA as general committee member, Association Vice-President, referee, representative committee President, representative coach, representative Director of Coaching and has instigated many development programs for coaches and players within the YMBA.
“I’d like to give a shout out to all of those wonderful people that have volunteered time to put towards the incredible club over the past 12 years, you know who you are,” Brett said.
“You all have had a massive contribution to where our club is today and I encourage those parents that are coming into the program now, jump on board.
“Our basketball community is one that you will enjoy and cherish for many years to come.
“Can I also say that I’m incredibly honoured and grateful to be receiving this award alongside our outgoing President Amanda Wheaton.
“Amanda has been instrumental with bringing our club to where it is today, our achievements over the past 12 years are because of her tireless efforts to make us better.
“Our basketball fraternity is forever grateful for her contribution as President.
“I personally would like to congratulate her on her life membership and service to our sport and for me, it’s been so rewarding being a part of the development and growth of the game under her guidance as President.”
The YMBA Facebook also posted a recognition to Brett and Amanda last week, displaying the sheer amount of work both have put into the successful running of the association.
“Brett has had a huge impact on the resurgence of the YMBA rep program in the last 10 years,” the post read.
“Brett has also gained accolades from Basketball Victoria Country with coaching appointments as Regional BV Academy Coach, BV Golden Nugget Coach, appointed Head Coach of the 2020 Australian Country Under 14 Boys team and is Director of Coaching and coach of the NE Bushrangers U18 Boys VJBL team.
“Brett brings this experience back to our club and has been a mentor for YM players and coaches over many years.
“He is well respected in basketball circles and has been a tireless worker for our club over many years, doing the thing that he loves best.”
Brett and Amanda will be formally recognised and awarded their Life Memberships at the Rep end of year dinner in 2023.
Local representatives to the US
Coach Brett Harvey, Lochie Harvey, Jess Freeman and James Frazer have jetted off to the US to represent the North East Bushrangers in a US basketball tour.
Three local basketballers Lochie Harvey, Jess Freeman and James Frazer jetted off to the United States last week on a basketball tour representing North East Bushrangers Basketball Club.
YMBA Representative coach Brett Harvey also jetted off with the trio as he will be coaching the Boys Varsity Team.
“We’d like to acknowledge and thank the community groups that have supported us getting there,” Brett said.
“It’s been incredibly humbling and we really want to thank those that have help make this happen.
“We are away for a three week tour of the Midwest (Ohio -Cincinatti Columbus, Cleveland and New York) playing 10 games against equivalent level High school teams.”
A more detailed report to appear in a future addition of the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
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