Warragul hit by NBL Blitz
The National Basketball League blitz has afforded Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman the opportunity to return to where his basketball career started.
Vickerman grew up in Warragul and is a proud product of the Basketball Victoria system.
He said returning to Gippsland for the first time in 12 years brought back fond memories.
Vickerman has tasted a huge amount of success in his coaching career to date, including a staggering four NBL titles with New Zealand Breakers in five years.
Returning to Melbourne aiming to create sustainable success, Vickerman’s coaching journey with Melbourne United got off to a successful start with victory over the Illawarra Hawks in Traralgon on Thursday night.
“We’re a little light on players,” he said prior to the match against the Hawks.
“We’re missing three due to Visa issues and illness.
“It’s a good opportunity for some of our younger players to get extended minutes and see how they go.”
Melbourne dominated the first five minutes to take a 22-6 lead on the way to winning 9983.
A second match against Perth will be followed by a block of three games in New Zealand before Melbourne begin their NBL season against the Adelaide 36s on November 5.
Vickerman said he enjoyed the community aspect of the Blitz, which saw NBL coaches lead a coaching seminar while players also interacted with young basketballers during clinics. “It was really pleasing,” he said. “Last night we had about 100 coaches from around the district and today we had a clinic in Sale with about 150 kids. “It’s a lot of fun.” Vickerman said players had been spreading the message that anything is possible, no matter where they come from.
“Sam Short grew up in Ballarat and shared his pathway with some of the younger players at the clinic,” he said.
While Melbourne United did not make it to Warragul during the Blitz, students from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School still got a taste of NBL action with a visit from the New Zealand Breakers.
Bendigo Spirit Women’s National Basketball League coach Megan Moody also led the clinic.