Bunbury brings home major gongs in Basketball WA 2023 Awards Night

The Bunbury basketball community has made a name for itself on a state-wide scale, with South West volunteers, officials and programs recognised at this year’s Basketball WA awards. Bunbury volunteer and coach Julieann Bissaker was named Volunteer of the Year and veteran Australind official Mark Grist NBL1 West Referee of the Year. President of the Tornadoes Basketball Club for 11 years, Ms Bissaker said she was “definitely surprised” by the accolade. “I had no idea that I had been nominated and I’m very humbled that someone thought to nominate me,” she said. “There are so many wonderful people who volunteer their time to the community and I couldn’t do the jobs I do without the support of a small group of people who also generously give their time. My award was a joint effort and I was only the voice at the front.” In addition to her role as president, she has also been actively involved with the South West Slammers in various positions as a committee member, board member and coach since 2012, when she first coached the club’s under 14 WABL women’s side. A former high-level player herself, she said her passion to give back came from the opportunities provided to her growing her, and hoped to “pay it forward” to the next generation of athletes. “I was very fortunate when I was younger to have people give up their time to volunteer and give me the opportunity to play basketball at a high level,” she said. “The work that has to be done by committees to put a competition on is massive, take for example an NBL1 night, my committee will spend eight hours on a Saturday setting up and running a game night...An NBL coach will spend as a minimum 12-15 hours per week organising and attending training and games. “Without this volunteer work a competition cannot exist and in the past many people did all this for me, without this generosity I wouldn’t have the opportunity to enjoy playing basketball. “Personally I feel it is my obligation and responsibility to pay that forward and provide opportunity for the next generation to experience the joy that I did playing.” She encouraged the community to get involved wherever they could. “My thoughts are that if you have been fortunate to be a part of a community organisation and it has given you joy, if your skills and circumstances permit you should give back so that someone else has the opportunity to enjoy the experience,” she said. “It helps to keep the community sustainable, enhances community spirit, creates connections and loyalty.” Also recognised was the Bunbury PCYC’s Aussie Hoops program, named Participation Program of the Year. Running since 2020, the venue’s activity co-ordinator Jodie Valli said the program had been a “wonderful” way to get young children interested in sport. “It was an honour to receive the award, it felt great for our dedicated staff and coaches at Bunbury PCYC to be recognised for their hard work and commitment to creating a great program for the children,” she said. “At PCYC, we have a passion for inspiring, encouraging and supporting young people, particularly through sports. Our Aussie Hoops programs is designed to encourage teamwork, teach resilience, and build confidence whilst encouraging children to be physically active.”