And this is why basketball in Australia is fucked...

australia is currently producing its best talent. Ever. Its messed up because we have a pro league that isnt viable in this country.

Ps. In our case (nsw country) we also got money from the school, local council and club. A little bit of fundraising thrown in and it came in well under 1000. I know there were a stack of sudanese kids at nats last yr and I suspect that ppl found a way to get them there. If ur kids talented u find a way!!

Ok. For my son nationals were a great spprting development experience and we worked hard to het him there for that... now what? with 8 teams in this country and teams likely to fallover nationals was great prep for footy as we transition back into that sport.

I am sure if your son was of "ok" standard at nationals he would be fine to secure a college scholarship somewhere? or possibly secure a SEABL position.

Or do you just want a fully paid 1 in a 1,000,000 NBA career for him?

"Pro League is fine and viable" ahahahahahahha I wish I could look at things so blindly

kids paid $1k to go to PCS at Port Macquarie and play 4 games. Looking at the results, the games were not a high standard either.

Some kids get a once in a life time opportunity to play for their state, they get to keep a state uniform, form bonds and friendships with people they have never met before, participate at a level they may never do so again and have memories they can pass down to thier kids one day.

The parents enjoy a wonderful experience and have many fond memories as well.

The kids come back to their Associations better for the experience, they are now considered elite in their sport (to a point) back home and role models for the younger kids there to follow and look up to.

Some kids play multiple times and they are probably going to end up playing at the elite level, get a scholarship of some kind and live the dream of playing basketball as a semi-pro or pro to some degree, here or overseas.

This is where it begins and yes, there is a cost involved, however I for one have never thought of it as money poorly spent or not value for the dollar.

Better to have them go to Nationals or States than see them spend the time doing something less productive or counter productive to their future.

I wish I had that chance when I was younger...

Raising some money through your local community with the assistance of your local Association will always help out in covering some of the costs, just ask them for some help, I'm sure they will accomodate to ease the financial burdon.

Finally, on this topic, ask any older pro or semi-pro hooper of their finest or fondest junior basketball memory and I guarantee it will almost always be about when they played States or Nationals, cheers!

Thank you Bear - yours are exactly the reasons I've been happy to pay for my kids to travel interstate and overseas for various sports, representing SA, their clubs and their school.

In terms of options for fund raising, the State Government also had some grants for young athletes who have difficulties meeting the financial costs of representing the state. They were available last year and I imagine they still are. Check the Office of Recreation and Sport web site and I'm sure there'll be something on there. BSA also should know about such options.

Great post Bear.

"Every registered basketball player in Australia, contributes towards the cost of the Boomers"
Told to me by State officials couple of years ago.

The odd thing is that these are the players who don't need our monies to finance that Olympic experience.

Parents pay for everything, that's what is wrong.
Sure, cover their kids' costs but why 2 coaches and a manager and sometimes a bus driver as well.

Someone please come back and tell me their State body pays for something. Referees get everything paid by their State body.

The parent pays principle is what happens in all but the richer sports, even some of the richer sports charge their kids something.

Bear and PeterJohn have made great comments about what this experience means for their kids and why they have been prepared to make sacrifices to ensure that happens.

States could afford to pay to send these teams, of course they could, provided every player in their state was prepared to pay more in registration. And my guess is that it would be a pretty significant rise in fees.

Bowtie, of course every registered player in Australia contributes to the Boomers, but every registered play pays a very small amount to Basketball Australia compared to what they pay the state. On top of that the ASC funds most of the Boomers/Opals/Junior teams costs.

#455749

Because that is how society/democracy works.

Your next line will be "we shouldn't fund anything until public health and education are perfect"...

Just doesn't, and can't, work that way.

#455755

Truly bizarre argument. Absurd. I am sure if Bear could get hold of the $500 grant he would, but it does not in any way diminish his enthusiasm for getting the rest of the cash organised and making sure his kid gets to championships.

It costs thousands to get your kid there, and if you want to go yourself then thousands more. Most parents and their clubs would engage in a range of fund raising to ensure the trip happens - part of that might be getting a grant or grants.

I wonder if the anon thinks our health system shouldn't cover people injured while recreating?

Well, I can only speak for myself here so I will try to cover off on those questions for you good folks.

1. I pay taxes, bloody lots of them and have done so for over 35 years now. So does my wife and I'm sure my kids will too one day soon enough, maybe here in Australia or maybe in another country, we'll see.

2. Never really had much luck with grants in the past, yes we have tried for some but so many hundreds of applicants for a small pool of money, even taking into consideration the strict rules and guidelines means we usually take the brunt of the cost or as we once did we organised some fund (team) raising.

3. Over the years our family has funded two boys at a number of state and national events for basketball, we are talking tens of thousands of $$$ here and you know what, we don't regret one cent of it...

4. There are other options, like your state basketball body could allow you to pay the amount off in installments etc...

Just think outside the square and you should find it achieveable. Politics asside, it is a great country with many opportunities, remember basketball is not high on the podium here like, say, in the USA!

Like I said, just the way it worked out for us, not pretending that it is suitable for everyone or the same for others.

Stay frosty...

Similar to Bear, did not find grants that easy to get. Applying for Council grant you had to complete a thousand word essay for $100.00.

My wife and I never ever thought about the finance, we just provided. As Bear said, you just make it happen. Like most who have gone through this experience, you go without yourself, but in the most, the outcome are well adjusted, mature and healthy young adults which as parents, is all we can do.

The satisfaction as parents in watching your kids become an integral part of our society, should & will out weigh the hardships we endure now.

Sorry a bit dip, but wanted to add to this thread.

#455789

You are way off the mark. Government funds lots and lots of "wants". That was exactly what I was getting at with the health and education comment. If you are only funding "needs" then you limit funding to health, education, defense and infrastructure as the big ticket items.

But Governments fund all sorts of wants, from arts to sport (elite) to participation facilities to childcare etc.

Believe it or not, our democracy demands government invest in all those things, because our society values all those things.

The amounts involved in this type of funding are miniscule. It possibly comes down to less than a few cents of the tax you pay.

Hey, If it's too expensive don't go. Pretty simple really.

I guess the other option is get a really good lawyer and sue someone over it. If you try hard enough you might find a way for someone else to pay

My main question has always been should the parents also pay for the total expenses of 2 coaches and the mananger? There is often another adult in the group , either a driver or a physio (rare)
Referees' costs are born by the State body. Isn't it a great experience for them too and helping them to reach higher paid levels? (State Leagues, NBL etc)
We were always envious of the Victorian teams who had the best support from their State and that enabled the players' parents to pay for extras for their kids. They still had to contribute less than any other State parents.

Would at least be nice to see players' jerseys paid for by the State bodies.

If sponsors could be acknowledged on the uniforms it would be easier to obtain financial assistance. ATM I imagine it's pretty rare to involve companies unless they are parent involved etc.

Only ever saw one player(the eventual VC) who pulled out for money reasons and the rest of the team contributed for the airfare to bring them back into the group. They just increased the fund raising a bit.

I have 4 kids playing ball. work full time, my wife works two jobs. We pay shit loads of tax and don't get a cent back.

I love taxpayers. What Isaac pointed out is so typical. "I pay tax but get nothing".

Everyone pays tax. Everyone gets the benefit of taxes. Some get more benefit than others. Often they are the people who pay the least tax.

But our society values that approach. It ain't gonna change in a hurry.

If you get angry about taxes and government then take a leaf from Russell Brand. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHDcOBgWZqc

Get off your high horse, Anon.

Coaches and refs are developing their own talents in their fields. Andre Lemanis is one I remember assisting Vic coaches at a National.
Refs' expenses are paid for entirely by the State bodies and BA kick in a bit. Coaches should not be depending on their team players parents to be meeting their expenses.

I just think it's not expecting too much that the players could get a little help financially from the State admin. NOT one cent contributed towards the State rep teams to players' costs. Is it true?
Victoria were an exception. Paid airfares/and accommod for the full team and the optional set of jerseys were on loan.

I was hoping things had changed.

Good grief, I don't want coaches to pay for themselves.
I want the State body to pay for them.
The State bodies need to be doing their job and developing the sport to satisfy BA and the Fed Govt sporting grants. Produce quality coaches.
Produce State teams who compete well at Nationals.

I want the parents to get a bit towards their kids' costs. Any grant from the State Govt goes towards the ref costs anyway. It's pretty small.

Basing it on my experiences as an official, a parent and a spectator. I don't go off clueless but do have opinions.
Was hoping someone would tell me things have changed altho basketball struggles financially even more these days.
Surely someone is on this forum who has a State player in their family, from last 2 years, and understands their budget?

All our budgets were for 13 people but cost shared 10 ways. Each room was for 2 people excepting the Manager who was mostly a female.

BTW

If SA give around $6000 to each State team,
that's 10 teams (Metro and Country for 16 and 18, Boys and Girls but only I each for 20's, no division between Metro and Country)

$60,000 fantastic effort by South Australia.
Can anyone confirm?

So they should pay for coaches and managers you tight arse! How much time and money do those people put in to the program? Most of them don't have children in the program and they do it for "love of the game".

These are the same coaches and managers that wear all criticism and judgement from idiots like yourself, so i would think covering their expenses is rather fitting.

#Tightarsetasmanian

Yeah fair call.....

I know last time i had to pay i was given a break down, but it wasn't "comprehensive" so to speak. But it had things like airfares, accom, food, uniform, so all the major items i would think.

OK, the fact that parents pay for coaches gives them the right to criticise and make judgement???
And they all pay the same amount, so all kids should get equal court time too. Good grief!
How far off the main trend of this discussion can you get? The unfortunate thing is I've seen and heard those things happen.
I cannot believe you have actually experienced being involved in a Junior State team program.

Our budgets were always set by our managers then the State body got involved cause they got out of hand re the extra gear/clothes involved. Managers always put in a bigger effort getting best airfares and accommodation. However, I think it proper that it is approved by an official body. Hope that still happens.




End of story.

Did quit, guys, 3 days ago.
Was comfortable asking those questions and commenting on my own experiences and those of our family/friends.
Ciao.