‘Culture of Champions’
Wimmera basketball royalty will be feted at the unveiling of a ‘Culture of Champions’ mural at Horsham Basketball Stadium on Sunday.
The mural depicts 14 Horsham Amateur Basketball Association players who have gone on to achieve national and international success.
While the identities of the players are being kept under wraps until the unveiling, association coaching legend Owen Hughan said the criteria for selection was that each player had to have played in NBL or WNBL competition, or represented Australia internationally. All-abilities athletes are also included.
Mr Hughan said the mural, which will be along the wall behind the stadium’s numbertwo court, was a great way to recognise the outstanding achievements of top-class athletes from a small rural area.
“Compared to the size of our population, we’ve done very well,” he said.
“When the stadium was built more than 30 years ago, I don’t think people had any idea of the size of what was going to happen.
“It’s also a celebration of what we’ve done with the stadium itself.
“A lot of people made outstanding sacrifices and did a lot of voluntary work to get it to where it is.”
Mr Hughan said members of the association had the idea for the mural after observing a similar work in Bendigo’s basketball stadium, and work had progressed quickly on the concept.
“In Bendigo, rather than having blank walls in the corridors, they have murals players,” he said.
“You see a similar thing with a lot of NBA teams.
“We only decided we were going to do it a couple of months ago and everything has moved quite quickly.
“It can be extended to add more players as well, which is important.”
Mr Hughan said the mural made him proud to be involved with Wimmera basketball.
“It always does give you pride,” he said. depicting
“You don’t necessarily think of the success at the time – you just go along, do your job and keep doing what you’re doing.”
The unveiling of the mural will be at 1pm at Horsham Basketball Stadium and will be attended by representatives from Basketball Victoria, former association president Kevin Dellar and Member for Lowan Emma Kealy.
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