To negative cynics out there:
Below are excerpts from Academy proposal to clubs, BASA and sponsors. (apologies about font etc).
Objectives and statistical reasons are included as to why we felt that the Academy should be introduced.
The whole project was carefully researched and planned before the "selling" process began.
A need was obviously identified, not just from us but from a range of different parties, including the clubs.
We then went through an exhaustive process to "sell" the concept to all parties concerned - to clubs, coaches, players, BASA, Sixer coaching staff, sponsors because obviously if the Academy was going to work then all of the above was going to have be on board.
The project had to be self funded as at the time, BASA did not have the funds available. They were given first opportunity to do so.
We believed so strongly in the program that we thought we would therefore do it ourselves. BASA agreed on its merits and were able to assist in other ways such as assistance with court hire and the provision of tickets for sponsors etc
To get a developmental program off the ground and fully fund it is difficult to do.
It makes me laugh when people who arent prepared to do anything for the sport then sit back and criticise the initiative of those who are.
The Academy is not a business as such. Profits are not made on an annual basis.
All monies coming in are then spent on overheads such as uniforms and equipment and basic wages for those involved. I emphasize the word BASIC as no-one is certainly getting rich out of the whole thing as has been implied in threads on here. If people are prepared to put in hours of work (and trust me when I say hours, I am talking about many of them) then some form of compensation is deserved. I assume people out there dont work for nothing so why should staff in the Academy?
It has been our intention to provide a flexible program for the players that covers a wide range of areas from the basketball and conditioning side of things to extra curricular issues such as life after basketball and media training etc. These areas are being added to the program on an ongoing basis.
Despite what you may think, the credibility of the Academy is strong with no less than 4-5 of the best performers being invited to trial with the Sixers each year. Do you think Steve Breheny would have agreed to spend more time involved in coaching if he could not see the merits of what we were trying to achieve.?
Please see below for further explanations from our proposals:
Overall objective: To help improve the quality and standard of basketball in South Australia, whilst developing a future player-base for the 36ers.
Objectives:
To have the players train at least twice a week on court. The on-court sessions will be targeting both the offensive and defensive plays, skills and techniques that are employed by the 36ers coaching staff. Additional training sessions, as well as additional techniques and drills, may be introduced if deemed necessary.
To introduce the players to a regular strength and conditioning program.
To have one additional off-court session at least once a fortnight. The off-court session will be aimed at educating the players on topics such as scouting, nutrition, life-skills, sport psychology, recovery, and strength and conditioning.
To make time for individual coaching sessions with Academy members to work on specific skills relevant to that player's improvement.
Why:
At the start of the 2003-2004 NBL season, there were twelve contracted players who were born in Adelaide. Of these twelve, ten grew up in Adelaide.
In the last five years, there have been nine South Australian players who have received contracts to play in the NBL.
Of those nine players, five played in the 2003-2004 NBL season the remaining four are no longer active players in the NBL.
Of those five players, three did not attend the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). These players represent Sturt, Woodville and North Adelaide.
At the start of the 2003-2004 NBL season, there were 38 players contracted who were non-AIS players and had signed in the last five years South Australia has the fewest, with three: 14 NSW (37%), 11 VIC (29%), 5 WA (13%), 5 QLD (13%), and 3 SA (8%).
To summarise:
At the start of the 2003-2004 NBL season, there were 112 players contracted, and South Australia was represented by three non-AIS graduate players (2.7%), the lowest of any of the major basketball states.
Why - continued:
What are our ABA clubs doing to develop potential NBL players (i.e., individual coaching sessions with identified players)?
In South Australia, what elite development is available for players after SASI (if they don't go to the AIS)?
Without a national NBL draft system in place, NBL teams are free to develop and sign their own talent (unlike other sports such as the AFL). This should be taken advantage of.
The success of any player who has come through the academy (e.g., in the 36ers, US college, Europe or another NBL team) is a great advertisement for the program, and more importantly, basketball in the state of South Australia (e.g., Luke Schenscher's recent success at Georgia Tech University in the United States).
This is an opportunity for the state of South Australia to develop it's basketball further; to encourage and teach good habits that will aid a potential NBL player; to maintain interest and hype and encourage players to remain involved in basketball in South Australia, especially in an era where we are losing players to other states (e.g., Adam Becis and David Florance), as well as losing players to other sports (e.g., Matt Illman and Dean Brogan).
Benefits to S.A. Basketball:
The Adelaide 36ers The Academy gives them a squad of young players, already trained in their plays and techniques, to choose from in case of injury or to introduce new, ready-to-play talent in the future. In addition, it gives them a forum to develop talent in areas of foreseeable need for the future (e.g., developing a player in a position that will need to be filled in four years time when a particular player (e.g., Brett Maher or Martin Cattalini) retires / contract expires).
The Central Conference ABA By improving these players, the talent level and quality of play across the league will also improve, thus making the teams more competitive on a National level.
The ABA clubs The respective clubs from which players are associated will directly benefit, as the players will bring their enhanced skills and knowledge back to their clubs. The skills and knowledge can then be passed on to club coaches and filter down through the club, potentially making junior teams (coaches and players) better and more knowledgeable.
The Player The individual player himself will benefit as he will not only improve his on-court ability, but will receive additional off-court training in what it takes to compete as an NBL athlete. This may also increase the future basketball opportunities for the player, such as US colleges.
Hope this helps.
Finally, all players this year did not hesitate in accepting the invitation to be in the Academy so that surely says something.
Also, ABA Head Coaches have been very supportive of the Academy so that surely says something also.
I would also hope that the fact we will be attempting to start an Academy for the girls (and this has been endorsed by Chris Lucas)also shows even more that we are trying to do the right thing by basketball in this state.
And as for the ridiculous assertion that the Academy is only being established so further my "plyer management" aspirations then think again. If a player gets to a level where they would like my assistance then they are more than welcome to come and chat about it but this is certainly not something that is mentioned at the Academy level.
I would now hope that people's negative energy can be directed somewhere else.
Paul Bell
