View Full Version : Darwin
Many would not be aware but Darwin have been for a long time doing great things under the direction of a great Executive and Don Shep formally from Rocky. They are about to move to playing serious basketball through an ABA competition but here is what they are up to in preparation.
Brunei Cup ’08 Signings Continue
The Brunei Cup 2008 joint-organisers, the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports, Ace MVP Event Management Co. and the Brunei Basketball Association followed up their sponsorship signing ceremony on 5th August 2008, with an official energy drink and team contract signing ceremony at Sunlit Advertising in Beribi on Saturday, 9th August 2008.
Mr Jackson Ting, Managing Director of Ace MVP inked the contracts for RED BULL as the 2008 Brunei Cup official energy drink with Mr Valentine Hon, General Manager,Kingston Beverage and Creamery Sdn Bhd, and with Mr Don Sheppard, Head Coach of Darwin Airport Resorts All-Stars (DARAS), respectiverly.
When asked about the history of his team, Mr Sheppard explained that many Brunei Cup fans may not know that DARAS was established in 2006 specially to compete in the then Brunei Cup 2006. Their best result in the Brunei Cup series is as runner-up in 2006. They were semi-finalists in 2007.
“Thank you Ace MVP for inviting us over again. Thank you also to all our fans out there, who like our exciting style of basketball. We are aggressive, but we play fair. Watch out for our two American import players: No. 15: Byron Jett and No. 24: Earl Nurse,” he revealed.
“I give full credit to Ace MVP for staging yet another exciting top class basketball tournament. We were formed three years ago specifically for the Brunei Cup, and thanks to our good showings in the tournament, Darwin Basketball is looking to play in the Australian Basketball Association League. Finally, thank you all sponsors of Brunei Cup 2008 for making this year’s tournament possible,”
“It’s great to be back and we are gunning for the title this year, though we have only 3 days of preparation because players come from all over Australia and two are from USA. It will not be easy. Any one of the six teams can win. I hope it will be us. We are not here to make up the numbers, mind you, he added in response to a question on DARAS’ intentions this year.
Globetrotter to play for Warriors
PETER TIFFEN
September 15th, 2008
NEW WARRIOR: 205cm, 120kg former Harlem Globetrotter Brad Bridgewater battles with some young fans.
FORMER Harlem Globetrotter Brad Bridgewater has signed with the Warriors basketball club.
The 205cm, 120kg American big man is set to add power to coach Don Sheppard's revitalised Warriors' line-up in the Darwin Airport Resort men's league.
'Some people call him Baby Shaq,' Sheppard said.
'He is a very well-built man and a very good athlete.'
Bridgewater, 28, is scheduled to make his DBA debut against defending dry season premier Tracy Village Jets next week.
'That will be a good hit-out for both teams,' Sheppard said.
Sheppard said Bridgewater - the Globetrotters former 'dunks man' - would be the first player chosen in the Darwin All Stars team to tackle the Singapore Slingers in December.
'He will be guaranteed a spot,' Sheppard said.
Bridgewater starred for the Geelong Supercats in the SEABL this year winning two Player of the Week awards.
He was the most accurate shooter in the SEABL hitting just over 64 per cent of his shots.
The Supercats lost the South Conference elimination final to the Hobart Chargers.
The former Louisiana State University player recently returned from guesting at the Malaysian International Basketball Championships where he helped the home side to victory.
The Slingers played in that tournament but failed to make the final.
Bridgewater will link with fellow American Jim Cochran at the Warriors. The quicksilver guard has scored 125 points at an average of 25 over five games since joining Warriors from SEABL club the Mt Gambier Pioneers last month.
The Warriors have moved into second place on the ladder and have the bye this week.
was just up in Darwin last week, and saw the local a grade comp, they have implemented the 3 refs per game in Mens although the standard wasn't great they did have 3 for each game..
Seppo Jim Cochran has a sweet shot but was babied alot tho they couldn't sneeze near him without getting a call an he seemed to be able to do pretty much anything...
if they are adding another seppo to this team i dont think they will lose any more games it's good for them to have chemistry but you would think they would add him to a weaker team to even up the comp a bit more...
good luck to DBA tho
Are Darwin running a local A Grade comp where they are paying imports to play?????
not sure if they pay them to play but talkin to a local.. the seppo goes there to "work" in the off season of SEABL... they had two yanks already altho one was a big fat old guy so not to sure if he's in the SEABL plans..
Boss Playa
16-09-08, 18:05
Sounds like Shep is up to his old tricks of spending someone else's money for little gain other than his own. Hope Darwin doesn't end up like Hervey Bay!!
Unregistered
16-09-08, 21:29
Sounds like Shep is up to his old tricks of spending someone else's money for little gain other than his own. Hope Darwin doesn't end up like Hervey Bay!!
Hope he can find some shekels for a "Boss Playa"! Isn't it just the sort of comp you've been looking for rather than playing against 'the kids" in the youth league here? There's old guys, fat guys, guys who can and cant play and they get paid!! Dont want to shock you but there's a lot more to basketball in Australia and our near neighbours than the Brisbane association comps and the mighty visionary BQ.
Unregistered
18-09-08, 10:40
Having lived in Darwin they have per head of population more people playing basketball than anyone. Spoke to my mate he tells me they have everything sponsered and sent teams of kids to China , Brunei and now a tour of Vietnam. Got a game against Wildcats and Slingers comming up , i think a lot of places would love to have this happening.My mate tells me Don has been the driving force behind and 2 cents is right not the strongest comp but great partisapation.
Darwin steps up SEABL bid
PETER TIFFEN
September 22nd, 2008
CONVINCED: Don Sheppard: 'SEABL is the way to go''
THE board of the South East Australian Basketball League will meet next month to discuss Darwin's bid to enter the league.
Darwin Basketball Association development manager Don Sheppard said the meeting would gauge initial interest in the DBA's desire to have men's and women's teams in the SEABL by 2010.
'I know they are interested, they have told me. The thing is, it's got to be feasible and viable for all parties,' Sheppard said.
The key issue is travelling costs. Under present rules new teams must pay for competitors' travel and accommodation for their first two years.
'If the agreement is like that, we'd have to have a real good look at it because the budget would be very excessive,' Sheppard said.
'We will be looking at if there is anything we can do to cut costs for all concerned.'
Sheppard has invited DBA president John Sealy, DBA financial director Grant Matthews and NT Department of Sport executive director Steve Rossingh to discuss developments at a meeting on October 20.
The DBA's Rod Tremlett is helping to prepare a feasibility study into joining an ABA league which Sheppard hopes can be completed by the end of November.
One way for the Darwin teams to cut costs will be to play three games over a week on the road.
'That is very, very tough but that's the way it has to be for it to be feasible,' Sheppard said.
The SEABL is made up of what's considered the strongest men's and women's conferences in the Australian Basketball Association. 'SEABL is the way to go,' Sheppard said.
'It is a high aim but the travel side of things can fit in quite well for us.'
Last season there were two men's conferences and one women's conference.
The men's East conference was made up of the Knox Raiders, the North-West Tasmanian Thunder, the Bendigo Braves, Southern Districts Spartans, Ballarat Miners, Canberra Gunners and the Nunawading Spectres.
The men's South conference was made up of the Frankston Blues, Geelong Supercats, Hobart Chargers, the Australian Institute of Sport, the Kilsyth Cobras, Mt Gambier Pioneers and the Albury Wodonga Bandits.
There were 10 teams in the women's conference, the Nunawading Spectres, Launceston Tornadoes, Bendigo Lady Braves, Knox Raiders, Kilsyth Lady Cobras, Ballarat Lady Miners, Frankston Lady Blues, Southern Districts Spartans, Albury Wodonga Lady Bandits and the North-West Tasmanian Thunder.
Unregistered
24-09-08, 13:27
look out darwin !!!!!
shep is about to ruin another association. wtf are they thinking. how can this possibly end up good.
Yep DBA down the toilet if Shep has his way. Darwin in the SEABL hahaha what a joke. They have no talent base and would be paying the entire team to be even remotely competitive. Stick to the Brunei Cup Shep!
Hi All
This is the Singapore Slingers team for the exciting 2 game Challenge series against the Darwin Airport Resort All Stars.
Game 1 in Singapore on Tuesday 16 December. Game Televised live throughout South East Asia.
Game 2 in Darwin on Friday 19 December.
The Singapore Slingers were NBL finalists in their first year in the league 20007/2008.
One of the Slinger's players Sam Harris is 7 feet 4 inches tall in the old terms which will be a big attraction.
This is a wonderful opportunity for basketball players and supporters of sport to have Darwin Basketball Association hosting an International team of this statue playing in the Northern Territory.
Regards
Don Sheppard
Development Manager
Darwin Basketball Association
Head Coach Darwin Airport Resort All Stars.
Unregistered
29-05-09, 22:05
Globetrotter to play for Warriors
PETER TIFFEN
September 15th, 2008
NEW WARRIOR: 205cm, 120kg former Harlem Globetrotter Brad Bridgewater battles with some young fans.
FORMER Harlem Globetrotter Brad Bridgewater has signed with the Warriors basketball club.
The 205cm, 120kg American big man is set to add power to coach Don Sheppard's revitalised Warriors' line-up in the Darwin Airport Resort men's league.
'Some people call him Baby Shaq,' Sheppard said.
'He is a very well-built man and a very good athlete.'
Bridgewater, 28, is scheduled to make his DBA debut against defending dry season premier Tracy Village Jets next week.
'That will be a good hit-out for both teams,' Sheppard said.
Sheppard said Bridgewater - the Globetrotters former 'dunks man' - would be the first player chosen in the Darwin All Stars team to tackle the Singapore Slingers in December.
'He will be guaranteed a spot,' Sheppard said.
Bridgewater starred for the Geelong Supercats in the SEABL this year winning two Player of the Week awards.
He was the most accurate shooter in the SEABL hitting just over 64 per cent of his shots.
The Supercats lost the South Conference elimination final to the Hobart Chargers.
The former Louisiana State University player recently returned from guesting at the Malaysian International Basketball Championships where he helped the home side to victory.
The Slingers played in that tournament but failed to make the final.
Bridgewater will link with fellow American Jim Cochran at the Warriors. The quicksilver guard has scored 125 points at an average of 25 over five games since joining Warriors from SEABL club the Mt Gambier Pioneers last month.
The Warriors have moved into second place on the ladder and have the bye this week.
Warriors may have won the League competition last season with the inclusion of Brad Bridgewater and James Cocran - they both left Darwin and guess what - this season Warriors have played 14 games and won only 1 and are at the bottom of the ladder - is that what you call developing the game?
Unregistered
29-05-09, 22:22
look out darwin !!!!!
shep is about to ruin another association. wtf are they thinking. how can this possibly end up good.
Sounds like you speak from experience of his ability - As Development Manager he has done very little for the game in Darwin since he arrived except to "stuff" it up. Bringing up "imports" to play for one season and then they leave Darwin. No real development of the local players or the game of basketball going on in Darwin. Not sure what he gets paid for??
Unregistered
29-05-09, 22:29
Sounds like Shep is up to his old tricks of spending someone else's money for little gain other than his own. Hope Darwin doesn't end up like Hervey Bay!!
How right you are - in the 3 years he has been in Darwin there has been absolutely no progress in the game - he has been on numerous overseas trips paid by the Darwin Basketball Ball members and "no gain"- how sad.
Unregistered
04-06-09, 16:06
The idea of bringing imports to Darwin for one season has been going on for years.This is not new ,Most of the clubs have had imports (male and female) so i'm not sure why this is a drama.
Darwin small population base and the fact that most decent athletes turn to Aussie Rules are more of the reasons for the lack of turning out good players.Not sure why all the hate but knowing the time i spent there it was certainly dominated by a few familys,may be they just want it to remain that way.
Darwin leading the way
13-08-09, 09:05
Darwin pair to get NBA training
PETER TIFFEN
August 12th, 2009
Tamara Sheppard
Jarrod Sheppard
DARWIN basketballers Jarrod and Tamara Sheppard have been invited to a US NBA camp.
The camp will be led by star Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Martin along with NBA assistant coaches Joe Prunty of the Portland Blazers and Neal Mayer of the Los Angeles Clippers.
The camp is run by the DetEski Basketball League - Indonesia's biggest junior hoops organisation.
The Darwin Basketball Association is examining an offer from the DBL to send youth sides to play in Indonesia in October.
The NBA camp runs from August 16-18 in Surabaya and will feature the top 48 junior players - 24 boys and 24 girls - in Indonesia.
It is aimed at developing the sport and young basketball talent in the country and the players have been selected by the DBL based on their basketball skills and leadership ability.
The three-day camp will consist of basketball training and off-court personal development.
After the daily clinics the campers will compete in games to showcase the new skills they have learned.
Motivational life-skills seminars will also be conducted on various topics, including leadership character development and teamwork.
At the conclusion of the camp, an MVP and all-star team will be announced.
Tamara Sheppard finished as the top scorer at the Australian under-16 championships last month.
Her older brother Jarrod Sheppard was averaging 20 points a game for league leaders Rebels after round two of the Darwin Airport Resort men's league.
''They are both very excited about the camp,'' the pair's father, DBA development manager Don Sheppard said.
''It is a great opportunity for them to develop their basketball.
''At the same time, the Indonesians are looking forward to having the top scorer of the Australian under-16 championships involved.''
DBL director Azrul Ananda said: ''The Indonesia development camp is an ambitious program that will help raise the skill level of our young basketball players.
''Learning from NBA players and coaches is like a dream come true for our players.''
Tamara and Jarrod will be accompanied to Indonesia by their mother, former WNBL player Meredith Sheppard.
Unregistered
03-10-09, 16:03
was just up in Darwin last week, and saw the local a grade comp, they have implemented the 3 refs per game in Mens although the standard wasn't great they did have 3 for each game..
Seppo Jim Cochran has a sweet shot but was babied alot tho they couldn't sneeze near him without getting a call an he seemed to be able to do pretty much anything...
if they are adding another seppo to this team i dont think they will lose any more games it's good for them to have chemistry but you would think they would add him to a weaker team to even up the comp a bit more...
good luck to DBA tho
I totally agree, although, all imports coming to Darwin seem to be playing in 1 team and under 1 coach!! any takers on who that is?????
Unregistered
03-10-09, 16:20
How right you are - in the 3 years he has been in Darwin there has been absolutely no progress in the game - he has been on numerous overseas trips paid by the Darwin Basketball Ball members and "no gain"- how sad.
He is employed as the DBA Development officer, but no development whatsoever has occurred.He seems more intent on bringing imports up to stack which ever club he is coaching at the time Warriors/Rebels to win the comp. Local players agree with the imports, but question why they are not shared around to lesser clubs to improve the WHOLE comp not just for HIM to win championships.
Unregistered
03-10-09, 16:29
The idea of bringing imports to Darwin for one season has been going on for years.This is not new ,Most of the clubs have had imports (male and female) so i'm not sure why this is a drama.
Darwin small population base and the fact that most decent athletes turn to Aussie Rules are more of the reasons for the lack of turning out good players.Not sure why all the hate but knowing the time i spent there it was certainly dominated by a few familys,may be they just want it to remain that way.
no one is Questioning the import thing but what they are questioning is the amount of imports and to which team they play for ie:
7 imports should equal 1 to each team
not
7 imports....5 for 1 team and 2 for 2 other teams.
Unregistered
05-10-09, 17:20
look out darwin !!!!!
shep is about to ruin another association. wtf are they thinking. how can this possibly end up good.
We agree, he already is!
Unregistered
06-10-09, 12:51
no one is Questioning the import thing but what they are questioning is the amount of imports and to which team they play for ie:
7 imports should equal 1 to each team
not
7 imports....5 for 1 team and 2 for 2 other teams.
Who pays for the imports,if one club is bringing them in and paying for it , This would seem like what Rocky does and other teams have to keep up.I'm not sure a team in Darwin needs 5 imports to win.I see Nathan Crombies name and am told his Parents wanted him up there for the Coaching.
Unregistered
11-11-09, 13:25
Just read the Darwin paper on line and some guy gets 10weeks for striking a Ref , takes it to appeals they find him guilty of attemting to strike a ref and only give him 3 weeks.Figure that one out
Unregistered
23-11-09, 11:18
I wonder..how did Hervey Bay out Don Sheppherd? I fear for Darwins Association hearing all this, as a former player int the local league up there I still talk with some of the current players...the great thing about the league up there is it is quite close, most teams players mix up with the others....the idea of multi imports does little if you are not building from grass roots...
Vote 1 Out Do Sheppherd.
Sitting Bull
29-11-09, 02:46
The Darwin Basketball Association is having a stellar period in its basketbal history due to Don Sheppard's involvement.
Players coming from interstate to play in the Darwin competition that Don has spoken to about opportunities for basketball and work, are not being paid by Don or the DBA. They are coming because they want to be there to play in the local competition and to try out for the Darwin Airport Resort All Stars team that represents Drwin and the NT by playing in overseas in tournaments every year.
In fact., what Don is doing could be done by other clubs in the Darwin competition, if they to wanted to get out and do some networking within other Australian playing and coaching circles Some time ago the Eagles club in Darwin were involved in bringing a Chinese player to Darwin to play in the local competition.
So, if there are any critics to what Don is doing in Darwin with trying to improve the standard of the Darwin Basketball League or being able to offer the real intensive training program required to succeed at the highest level, then looking at the development of Don's son, Jarrod, and daughter, Tamara, is indicative of what can be achieves as a player developing under Don's tutelage.
If only other youth players could be so lucky to get access to his training programs. But if there are any critics of Don, it more syas something about them - which is sad - than it does about Don.
Unregistered
30-11-09, 23:18
no one doubts his coachin ability its the association we are worried about if you wonder why ask yeppon n hervey bay basketballers what little are left anyway...
jason ivinson
01-12-09, 18:16
I believe darwin basketball is financially in a very good position with the waivering of the nt govt alleged debt of $430K and securing the crown lease in perpetuity. check out the dba website if your unsure of what im talking about. Go Lightning wheelchair.
Unregistered
02-12-09, 12:56
Would be good if players other than his own offspring could get to that level.... smells a bit like.... something.
Not that that is unusual in basketball circles; it seems that if you have "the name" then doors magically open up for you.
I believe darwin basketball is financially in a very good position with the waivering of the nt govt alleged debt of $430K and securing the crown lease in perpetuity. check out the dba website if your unsure of what im talking about. Go Lightning wheelchair.
i did go have a look at that letter and it does look like DB is in a very good position not to sure how you got the government to waive a 340k debt in these economic times especially with the financial problems you guys have in the red centre but certainly looks like Darwin's dreams of a Seabl team are just that little bit closer...
i guess the other associations Donny took over in the past were alot smaller and didn't have the backing that Darwin obviously has hence why they couldn't keep up with his big dreams maybe Darwin can...
Sitting Bull
03-12-09, 07:24
There's no secret or special way that Don' Shepard's children in Darwin have succeeded with their basketball skills development and achievements.
Whether they go onto bigger and bigger things like other high-achieving players does depend on a lot of things such as training well with intensity on a regular basis, continuing to play against better and better competition; remaining healthy; learning the game; playing roles on the basketball court; and a little luck as well.
Both Jarrod and Tamara Sheppard are training almost every day with their basketball skills development occurring under intense discipline. Further, they are running the steps of the stadium so their fitness to run lanes and play defense is very good and both are either playing two or three local competition games every week.
Other players in Darwin also have access to similar training regimes under Don's coaching and these local players are also doing very well in the Darwin competitions. In fact, if Don was in charge of NT representative coaching development, maybe the NT would have greater success with players from this region going on to bigger and better things.
So there is no secret or special favours here - just a lot of hard work on the basketball court.
With regards to the alleged debt situation that DBA had from the NT government's building of their airconditioned stadium, it basically was a case of that building and associated facilities not being finished as had been agreed to in the original building contract.
Both the NT government and the DBA eventually moved to the position that due to the stadium construction not being completed as had originally agreed, then the DBA should not have to pay more towards an uncompleted stadium development that had been project managed by the NT Government. Hence the removal recently by the NT government of any alleged debt owed by the DBA to the government.
Hence, DBA's strategy with government has been to continue to run the organisation financially well each year without depending on government input financially
Mention has been made of Don's involvement previous involvement with the Yeppon and Hervey Bay basketball associations in Qld.
No mention has been made of Don working free of charge at different times - as a volunteer - to help these associations in areas where the number of youth players and indoor courts are quite low.
A lot of issues involving these two associations are not in fact related to Don but to the state basketball association in Qld.
When one starts to check out the facts, there's a lot of evidence to show that Don did many good things for these two associations.
Unregistered
03-12-09, 14:12
no one doubts his coachin ability its the association we are worried about if you wonder why ask yeppon n hervey bay basketballers what little are left anyway...
What did he ever do to yeppoon besides that he has not been in yeppoon for for more than six years stop living in the past and get over yourself
to be honest i'm not sure if he did do anything..
but in continuing the honesty, is it a coincidence that both associations crumbled as soon as he left??
as an example Hervey Bay went from Southern Cross champs to financial difficulties in the 6 mths between Aba grand final and the next year not saying it's Donnies fault just adding what i know...
Unregistered
04-12-09, 18:43
This is real scary stuff - Don Sheppard as BNT Director of Coaching!!!!!
Well that is possible with the newly elected Board of BNT (Basketball Northern Territory) where the Darwin Association now has the majority of the votes.
At the recent AGM Alice Springs Assoc. members were voted off the BNT Board leaving the Alice Springs Assoc. with no representation on the BNT Board. How can this be good for the progress of their junior players and the game of basketball in the Northern Territory .
Earlier this year in the NT News, there was an article where Don Sheppard announced that he resigned as Development Manager of DBA effective 24 December 2009.
Only 20 days left before he goes, counting down!!!!!
Sitting Bull
05-12-09, 01:14
The statements in the paragraph below from the last thread are simply not true.
"At the recent (BNT) AGM, Alice Springs Assoc. members were voted off the BNT Board leaving the Alice Springs Assoc. with no representation on the BNT Board. How can this be good for the progress of their junior players and the game of basketball in the Northern Territory."
BNT Board Members from Alice Springs Assoc members were not voted off.
In fact, Alice Springs Assoc members that stood for election for vacant BNT Board positions were not voted on.
The Alice Springs Basketball Association is in nose-dive with regards to registered members. There simply are not have sufficient number of registered players in the Alice Springs Assoc to be able to vote a non-executive member onto the Board.
But Alice Springs does have a member on the BNT Board so it is not true to say that they don't have a BNT Board Member.
Check the BNT Constitution on the BNT website:
28. VICE PRESIDENT/S
28.1 The President of Affiliated Regions shall be the Vice Presidents of the Board unless they occupy another position on the Board, in which case the Vice President of their Association or a nominated person of that Association shall fill the position of a Vice President on the Board.
So Alice Springs does have a delegate on the BNT Board, and that person is in the position of one of two Vice-Presidents (a very important Board position).
The issue is that Darwin Basketball Association's membership is strong (which "is good for the progress of their junior players and the game of basketball in the Northern Territory") but Alice Springs is not strong. So if there are BNT people who do not want Darwin to have a strong representation on the BNT Board, then they need to do some work in Alice Springs and help that association increase its registered members by having very strong development and promotional strategies.
In the BNT Strategic Plan 2007-2009 (which is on the BNT website), the number one strategic task is to:
1. To assist associations increase playing numbers
So if BNT actually did this task for the AliceSprings Basketball Association, then maybe there might be more than one BNT Board member from Alice Springs.
But the Board Members of BNT represent the whole of the NT and maybe the successes of the Darwin Association might assist Alice Springs through the knowledge of Darwin-based people on the BNT Board.
Note, in the BNT Constitution.,
44.2 At Annual General Meetings:
44.2.1 Each Affiliated Region will be entitled to one delegate for the first two hundred (200) registered senior players and a further delegate for each one hundred (100) registered senior players thereafter, providing always that no Affiliated Region shall have more than six (6) delegates in the one year.
44.2.2 For the purpose of this sub-clause, the calculation of the number of delegates eligible to vote will be based on the total number of registered senior players received for the year 1 July to 30 June.
With regards to articles in the NT News, as everyone knows you can't always believe what you read in newspapers.
It was quite hilarious recently when a staff member of BNT came into DBA's Admin Office and wanted to know how he could apply for Don's not-so-vacant job. He probably needs to stay with BNT so he can help BNT develop more registered members in the NT.
Unregistered
06-12-09, 08:36
Yes you are correct - BNT Board Members from Alice Springs Assoc members were not voted off.
However, with the two vacant positions going to DBA there was obviously NO SUPPORT for the members from Alice Springs who stood for election which would have enabled the Alice Springs B/Ball Assoc to be better represented within basketball in the NT.
Darwin B'ball Assoc. does have a larger number of registered members (giving them more votes) and this is obviously because there is a larger population in Darwin compared with Alice Springs.
"The Alice Springs Basketball Association is in nose-dive with regards to registered members." -
This comment is extremely unfair - one would imagine that both Associations in conjunction with BNT should be working together to achieve the same goals for all basketball players in the Northern Territory - What was the comparative increase in new members this year between Alice Springs and Darwin?
With regards to the article in the NT News - Don't make personal public statements that you can't "back up".
There has not been any advice about the "Development Manager's position" - be it either, advertising the position or if the occupant's tenure has been extended?
It would be good for the paying basketball members to know what is going on "behind closed doors".
Unregistered
07-12-09, 00:22
Amazing that after several years Yeppoon and Hervey Bay and the name Don Sheppard are all mentioned together.
First hand knowledge of the situation in Yeppoon was that Don was working upwards of 40hrs a week for free to help them because he loves the game of basketball and did everything humanlly posssible to get that association going, the problem was he did to good a job and when he was offered a paid positition by Hervey Bay Basketball no one was willing to step in and continue the good work started, as most of the working core of the association had moved on. Once he was gone they had no idea what to do, and started blaming Don for this and that, when really it was their own lack of ability that was the problem, a few people ruined years of good work. Player numbers when he left nearly 400 and by the time Blair Smith got there less than 100, all in 2 short years.
As for Hervey Bay, it was to be a paid position for a certain amount of time. Ya right it ended up being a very small few who did all the work and Don being Don put more and more unpaid hours in to get the job done. When he got there they where a good deal in debt and when he left the debt had been reduced by a good 80%, not bad for someone who ruins association. Same as Yeppoon no one wanted to do the work required to keep the standard set going.
Who writes all the cheques for him or does he print his own, the committees that employ him write the cheques, so how is it his fault.
When it comes to basketball he is 1 of the best. You can trust him with everything except food.
Don you still owe me.
I was there through all of this and know first hand what went on, there is alot more to this story than what is written here.
They are coming because they want to be there to play in the local competition and to try out for the Darwin Airport Resort All Stars team that represents Drwin and the NT by playing in overseas in tournaments every year.
Gee dunno about that. The 'Darwin' All Stars team is usually led by players who've never set foot in the local league!
Sitting Bull
07-12-09, 23:03
Now Mr bEn, you know better than to promote rumours and untruths in your post about the present Darwin Airport Resort All Stars team.
Let's not let the facts get in the way of a good (or is it not-so-good story).
There was only one player, Simon Conn, out of 1i players in the Darwin Airport Resort All Stars team that was the champion team in last weekend's Surabaya International Challenge, in Indonesia.
With regards to the post about Don Sheppard's position with the Darwin Basketball Association (DBA), Don has been in the position of Development Manager for a few years and the Board of the DBA decided to extend his contract in recognition of his untiringly great work for DBA.
But with BNT, there have been at least three new staff members hired in the past 12 months whose positions have not been publicly advertised. Don's original application for his present position with DBA was achieved through an advertised merit selection process.
Now that there are predominantly members on the Board of BNT from the growing DBA association, these members on the new BNT Board will be able to assist the Alice Springs Assoc to grow its membership.
Certainly past Boards of BNT which had a large membership representation from Alice Springs had their opportunities to improve the Alice Springs registered membership base.
Now Mr bEn, you know better than to promote rumours and untruths in your post about the present Darwin Airport Resort All Stars team.
Let's not let the facts get in the way of a good (or is it not-so-good story).
There was only one player, Simon Conn, out of 1i players in the Darwin Airport Resort All Stars team that was the champion team in last weekend's Surabaya International Challenge, in Indonesia.
You're right!
Let's go back the last 2-3 years of Brunei Cup and compare how many 'imports' filled the team, with respect to others who play in the local comp and actually got good burn. Heck I'm looking at 2008 and it's all Zane Meehl, Miles Pearce, Ash Cannon, Slim Jett and Jase Aucoin. Don't think they played in the local Darwin comp?
Nobody cares about anything played in Indonesia, I can't imagine that the quality was too difficult there. Any respectful aspiring player would challenge themselves elsewhere.
Allan Hilzinger (DBA EO)
08-12-09, 11:29
Gee dunno about that. The 'Darwin' All Stars team is usually led by players who've never set foot in the local league!
Just to clarify this:
10/11 players which went to the Surabaya International Challenge, in which Darwin were the only amateur team of the four, are all living, working and playing in the Darwin Competition. Simon Conn (SEABL Player) was the only player recruited for this team who is not living and playing in Darwin. Yes some of those players are new to Darwin as of this season, but all are still qualified players in our top League. Most of them are also heavily involved in coaching and refereeing which is another big boost to the association.
The Darwin All-Stars just won this tournament going 3-0, but not without a scare in game 2 where they were down by a few points entering the final quarter. The games were televised to a potential audience of over 40 million people in South-East Asia and watched live by 4,000+ spectators.
I think it is great for basketball, particularly here in Darwin that we are receiving these rare opportunities to compete against international professional teams and the more opportunities we are taking the more doors that are opening on the international stage.
This opportunity for the Darwin All-Stars to compete in the Surabaya International Challenge co-incided with the recent (October) successful under 19 Darwin boys & girls tour of Surabaya in which both teams played against the DBL High School All-Stars, which consisted of the best 12 boys and girls competing in the Deteksi Basketball High School League (they have over 18,000 players and 350,000 spectators watch the games in a one month period).
Unregistered
08-12-09, 15:48
Only about Four out of the eleven players in the Darwin Airport Resort All stars would be considered Locals. Most locals do not consider these other player's locals. Many of these players will leave the DBA in the next year.
Its time to go and play team's from Down South.
i played with a player who was "recruited" (and yes he was recruited he didnt move there for the 40 degree heat an expensive flights to anywhere else in Australia) to Darwin to play..
he lived and worked there and he played in a touring team or two for you guys certainly doesn't make him a local cos he was american an he told us he just went up there to make some money an see the sights within a year he was playin QBL...
so you can spin it anyway you want mate, the real locals are the ones who will tell you if the players representing them are locals or not... Not a board member who has to justify the decisions..
Unregistered
09-12-09, 11:06
I'am a local and i do not consider these "recruits" as locals. Spot on there 2 Cents.
Locals view
09-12-09, 13:44
If I was a local player and my association was getting my association so many benefits through the way they were promoting and developing the sport I would be more then happy. In Darwin you seem to have some very innovative people in charge and the last few stories about debt removed etc are great. I think as a local you need to start caring more about the bigger picture then you are. To the other person who suggested they start playing down south I am hearing that darwin are doing just that by talking to BA about being in the new competition in 2011. Well done to those guys up here making your sport number one in the area.
Pity your not a local then... although i do see your point, i think maybe the local who is complaining maybe worried about the longevity of these improvements .. if the players are only coming in for a year then leaving where is the consistency needed for this to be a long term improvement..
for example i'll use a team in my state who does the same thing, they have a great State league team who are always in the top 3, they get all the media an promotion a team could dream of and their team budget makes some little countries national debt look small...
however as good as all of this sounds, they are struggling to field junior rep teams in all divisions and are being beaten by associations with much smaller populations to derive players from...
Unregistered
09-12-09, 20:10
Pity your not a local then... although i do see your point, i think maybe the local who is complaining maybe worried about the longevity of these improvements .. if the players are only coming in for a year then leaving where is the consistency needed for this to be a long term improvement..
for example i'll use a team in my state who does the same thing, they have a great State league team who are always in the top 3, they get all the media an promotion a team could dream of and their team budget makes some little countries national debt look small...
however as good as all of this sounds, they are struggling to field junior rep teams in all divisions and are being beaten by associations with much smaller populations to derive players from...
Just say it: Rockhampton is who you are talking about right?
How many "locals" in both Happy Rock QBL teams last year?
ah this old chestnut...
instead of local lets talk about consistency (which is the point i was trying to make) instead...
3 new players for each team that isn't local or hadn't played for the Power for at least 2-3 years with 3 owning houses in Gladstone so actually intending on "living" in Happy Rock not just doing a 6 month bball stint then leaving...
although the "team" i was talking about are getting a brand new stadium so that'l be nice...
Unregistered
12-12-09, 07:03
I was a local and played in Darwin for over 10 years, the only thing i'm pissed off about is no one ever got their shit together to take us OS. You are right ben in saying Indonesia is no big deal but how many player out there get to play in front of 4000 people. Darwin is a small town with about 150000 people and they can make things happen,maybe instead of bagging it have a look at some of the bigger towns and see what they have going on.Not Much
"Donnie" is the laziest coach dba has ever had. he doesn't nothing but look out for players to help his kids' teams and look for which os trip he can take next. apparently he usually has to go on 2 - 3 trips by himself to check it all out. nice life. no wonder he withdrew his resignation. he aint doing anything for anyone but himself.
good on ya ivo for handing your bnt votes to dba instead having some balls and voting for non-dba board conections.
lots of people want to get rid of him but the board is just a bunch of old guys who also have no balls.
Allan Hilzinger (DBA EO)
14-12-09, 15:14
The opposition in South-East Asia may not quite be at the standard of some other places...yet. However, the sport is growing rapidly in all of the countries we have visited and in five years time all of these countries will be at a much higher level. We are very fortunate to already have our foot firmly in the door with many of these up and coming countries, in particularly with the DBL organisation in Surabaya, Indonesia.
For those who are interested if you go to the Darwin Basketball website http://www.darwin.basketball.net.au/ and look in the photo gallery and find "All-Star Game Day, Surabaya" you will see the photos from the Under 19 tour, which give a good idea of what the crowd and atmosphere was like.
As mentioned in the post above, no the competition standard at this stage may not be as high as some other places (no one is disillussioned or pretending that it is), but the experiences the players receive from these tour are second to none, and in relation to the game against the DBL Indonesian High School All-Stars; how many kids aged 18 and under ever experience playing an international game infront of an audience of over 4,000 fans, wake up every morning to see the majority of the back page of the largest newspaper in Indonesia covered with their photos and stories (and the front page the day after the big game) and walk into random shopping centres and get asked for photos and signatures from the locals? Yet this tour actually cost each player less than what a 7 day tour to an interstate destination would have cost...go figure!
I think opportunities like the recent trips to Indonesia that Darwin Basketball are providing are pretty rare opportunities/pathways that we are very fortunate to have become involved with and opportunities that many basketballers outside of Darwin would love to experience if they were given the chance. I am also sure that by being involved in these events it will only continue to open up bigger and better opportunities overseas for basketballers in Darwin.
jason ivinson
14-12-09, 19:15
"Donnie" is the laziest coach dba has ever had. he doesn't nothing but look out for players to help his kids' teams and look for which os trip he can take next. apparently he usually has to go on 2 - 3 trips by himself to check it all out. nice life. no wonder he withdrew his resignation. he aint doing anything for anyone but himself.
good on ya ivo for handing your bnt votes to dba instead having some balls and voting for non-dba board conections.
lots of people want to get rid of him but the board is just a bunch of old guys who also have no balls.
in reply to my esteemed friend hotduck, i actually requested my votes be given to people i thought would improve basketball, unfortunately liz dashwood wasn't re-elected and we have lost her experience for the moment, but im happy with the 2 new board members elected. i wish i had balls to tell you to go jump but unfortunately im too busy trying to improve basketball in the nt for everyone not just whingers
Unregistered
15-12-09, 11:54
Hotduck you must be extremely upset, you and your little band of cronnies are dwindling by the day. The power has been taken away form that club Jets.
How good is this for basketball. 90% of basketball people are so happy.
With the new elected Bnt Board, BNT will now be professional, accountable and Transparent.
When the 2 Board members who are so wrong for basketball are gone by 2010, basketball in the NT will hit an all time high.
Records show Shelly L is not good for basketball, others are that family and their friends who have caused havoc/pain for many years. Think of the TV show The 6 million man S. Austin and u will work out the name.
Rumour has it the little man who sticks his chest out all the time Rod look at me Tremlett is retireing. This will be after he does another poor job with the NT Under 18 girls team in 2010.
Thank goodness for basketball in the NT, DBA now have great staff, Board and almost a great BNT Board.
Basketball is still booming in Darwin with all the great programs DBA have in place in spite of these little fish who look in the mirror and say i am the greatest trying to bring things down and the attitude, Basketball owes me so it is my right to take.
By the end of 2010 basketball in the NT will be at an all time high.
Unregistered
16-12-09, 09:24
It's funny when people start to bag Don Sheppard about Harvey Bay and how he ruined it, i was there and there was no money but a lot of dept when he arrived. He gave them their 15 minutes of fame as well as leaving the place with a smaller dept when he left. Nobody wanted to do the work after he had gone, so lets blame him.As far as Darwin is concerned if a town with such a small population can do the things they are doing , the bigger associations should hang their heads. The one thing i would warn people about is he is the worst tippster on the planet , but he is a dam good coach.
That is hilarious. Honestly think that the new boards will make basketball better? i cant wait to see how 'great' basketball is once this current group have all the control and the real workers walk away.
transparency is a word john sealey cant even say. hiding everything so no one knows the damage he is causing.
Cant wait to see these so called coaches try and coach u18 nt teams they can't be filled with imports. don and his lovechild heslop dont have a clue.
Allan Hilzinger (DBA EO)
16-12-09, 17:34
how 'great' basketball is once this current group have all the control and the real workers walk away.
transparency is a word john sealey cant even say. hiding everything so no one knows the damage he is causing.
Always interesting to read quotes by people who hide behind an alias.
John Sealy has worked tirelessly in his role as the DBA President and is one of the most highly respected people around DBA. The amount of voluntary work and time he puts into the association is countless. John Sealy was one of the biggest players in the recent waiver of the debt and is a great example of a man who puts in all the work but never wants the recognition for it.
Damage? Can we get a please explain there? Darwin Basketball currently has a good financial standing and has moved forward strongly throughout 2009 and currently have a lot of positive things in place and a lot more are being worked on for 2010 and beyond.
Given all the positives that are happening at the moment at DBA and there really are only a small handful of people who want to continue to try and cause trouble to satisfy their own personal agendas I think I am over this thread as it seems to have become very personal from a few different people and nobody is willing to say who they are and I think that is causing this thread to head further down hill, sad considering the very first post had the ability for this thread to be very positive.
Merry Christmas to all....enjoy the break!
P.S - Did anyone check out the photo's from the U/19 Surabaya Tour...pretty awesome hey!
Unregistered
17-12-09, 00:33
That is hilarious. Honestly think that the new boards will make basketball better? i cant wait to see how 'great' basketball is once this current group have all the control and the real workers walk away.
transparency is a word john sealey cant even say. hiding everything so no one knows the damage he is causing.
Cant wait to see these so called coaches try and coach u18 nt teams they can't be filled with imports. don and his lovechild heslop dont have a clue.
i think the time has come for hotduck to reveal his identity or just move on with his life
Rod Tremlett
17-12-09, 14:43
I have just been sent this froum by a friend of mine. I previously didn't even know it existed. What a pathetic little place to hide and exchange rediculous comments. Its sad to see the sort of people that are even involved in this (those who are at least prepared to put their name to comments) Alan, Ivo and whatever other gutless wonders reside here having anonymous pesonal cracks at people. These sort of dicussions are the very reason why I am walking away from the sport. The petty crap that is played out here is embarassing for all inolved and permeates right through out the sport here now.
Whoever you are "unregistered; 23238" snap out of it and get a real life. Rather than hiding is some chat room like a sad little crettin feel free to let me know who you are and I would be more than happy to discuss with you the contribution I have made to basketball over the last 15 years here. Given you beleive you are in a position to make assesments about coaching ability I assume you can and/or do coach. I encourage you to apply for State coaching positions - somehting I have been trying to encourage local coaches to do in Darwin for many years. I would love to see more competition for NT Coaching positions, but please don't hide in chat rooms throwing personal attacks - I'm embarassed for you if that's limit to your basketball existence.
Hopefully over the Christmas break some of you people that reside in these chat rooms get time to sit down and have a hard, long look in the mirror and realise how rediculous your actions are - if only you could focus this time on positivie outcomes for the sport. Your comments don't bother me - have had to deal with both postiive and negative comments over the last 15 years but as a coach as long as you know your heart is in the right place - trying to assist the kids to get better and achieve their goals and you are attempting to do that to your best ability then its all good jealous people in chat rooms are irrelevant!!!!
Rod Tremlett
Hotduck you must be extremely upset, you and your little band of cronnies are dwindling by the day. The power has been taken away form that club Jets.
How good is this for basketball. 90% of basketball people are so happy.
With the new elected Bnt Board, BNT will now be professional, accountable and Transparent.
When the 2 Board members who are so wrong for basketball are gone by 2010, basketball in the NT will hit an all time high.
Records show Shelly L is not good for basketball, others are that family and their friends who have caused havoc/pain for many years. Think of the TV show The 6 million man S. Austin and u will work out the name.
Rumour has it the little man who sticks his chest out all the time Rod look at me Tremlett is retireing. This will be after he does another poor job with the NT Under 18 girls team in 2010.
Thank goodness for basketball in the NT, DBA now have great staff, Board and almost a great BNT Board.
Basketball is still booming in Darwin with all the great programs DBA have in place in spite of these little fish who look in the mirror and say i am the greatest trying to bring things down and the attitude, Basketball owes me so it is my right to take.
By the end of 2010 basketball in the NT will be at an all time high.
Unregistered
18-12-09, 08:05
I have just been sent this froum by a friend of mine. I previously didn't even know it existed. What a pathetic little place to hide and exchange rediculous comments. Its sad to see the sort of people that are even involved in this (those who are at least prepared to put their name to comments) Alan, Ivo and whatever other gutless wonders reside here having anonymous pesonal cracks at people. These sort of dicussions are the very reason why I am walking away from the sport. The petty crap that is played out here is embarassing for all inolved and permeates right through out the sport here now.
Whoever you are "unregistered; 23238" snap out of it and get a real life. Rather than hiding is some chat room like a sad little crettin feel free to let me know who you are and I would be more than happy to discuss with you the contribution I have made to basketball over the last 15 years here. Given you beleive you are in a position to make assesments about coaching ability I assume you can and/or do coach. I encourage you to apply for State coaching positions - somehting I have been trying to encourage local coaches to do in Darwin for many years. I would love to see more competition for NT Coaching positions, but please don't hide in chat rooms throwing personal attacks - I'm embarassed for you if that's limit to your basketball existence.
Hopefully over the Christmas break some of you people that reside in these chat rooms get time to sit down and have a hard, long look in the mirror and realise how rediculous your actions are - if only you could focus this time on positivie outcomes for the sport. Your comments don't bother me - have had to deal with both postiive and negative comments over the last 15 years but as a coach as long as you know your heart is in the right place - trying to assist the kids to get better and achieve their goals and you are attempting to do that to your best ability then its all good jealous people in chat rooms are irrelevant!!!!
Rod Tremlett
HELO- HELO- HELO- WAKEUP- WAKEUP- WAKEUP
Rod Tremilett and Shelly Lumbert you even stab each other in the back. nobody is safe.
wake up tremilett ask people what she says about you.
Mr Tremelitt if your heart was in the right place it is time to walk away now. you and lumbert are all about yourselves most people know this. your players do not even like you.
You and lumbert continually attack J Sealey someone who really does care. lumbert can you even spell intergety-transpasery- accountability.Tremilett you and P Adams are just little pawns in her twisted games she plays. She has ensured both your names are not good in most circles.
Unregistered
18-12-09, 08:36
HOTDUCK AND THE FEW FRIENDS U HAVE
i would like to have the basketball background of achievements coach don has on his resume.
In his time in darwin he has played a major role. this did not happen overnight. many hours went into this.
$430000.00 waiver of debt to the government.
$ 50000.00 grant for the canteen
$ 20000.00 aba Feasibility Study grant.
$ 10000.00 waiver of government court hire for the under14 nationals 2008.
$ 2 x $ 5000.00 grants for overseas tours.
In 2008/2009 over 1/2 a million dollars. $ 520000.00
Don Sheppardo Organised successful tours to BRUNEI 2007/2008 SENIORS. CHINA/ SINGAPORE 2007/2008 JUNIORS. SINGAPORE 2007/2008 SENIORS. ALLSTARS SINGAPORE 2008. SURABAYA JUNIORS 2009. SURABAYA SENIORS 2009. Sounds like a fair bit of work.
Sheppard and his wife meredith are always on call 24/7 for dba.
What meredith does for dba is amazing
I know all this I used to work for dba.
Unregistered
19-12-09, 13:39
New CEO, new future? Time will tell if the new look brings about new results
Unregistered
20-12-09, 22:02
I just find this funny that this site is really based for BQ related info and all you whingers just want to Bag Don or DBA. I know it wont happen but forget the Politic Garbage. IF DBA is a Success, Good on them, If Certain people like Rod is leaving due to this sort of reason, Good Luck in future. Bagging Shelly and Pam do no good on here (Time on BNT possibly limited now and then ALICE Spirngs will be right in). Lets just try to help the Game in a Whole excel as we all know its a declining Sport
Unregistered
13-01-10, 10:12
Amazing that after several years Yeppoon and Hervey Bay and the name Don Sheppard are all mentioned together.
First hand knowledge of the situation in Yeppoon was that Don was working upwards of 40hrs a week for free to help them because he loves the game of basketball and did everything humanlly posssible to get that association going, the problem was he did to good a job and when he was offered a paid positition by Hervey Bay Basketball no one was willing to step in and continue the good work started, as most of the working core of the association had moved on. Once he was gone they had no idea what to do, and started blaming Don for this and that, when really it was their own lack of ability that was the problem, a few people ruined years of good work. Player numbers when he left nearly 400 and by the time Blair Smith got there less than 100, all in 2 short years.
As for Hervey Bay, it was to be a paid position for a certain amount of time. Ya right it ended up being a very small few who did all the work and Don being Don put more and more unpaid hours in to get the job done. When he got there they where a good deal in debt and when he left the debt had been reduced by a good 80%, not bad for someone who ruins association. Same as Yeppoon no one wanted to do the work required to keep the standard set going.
Who writes all the cheques for him or does he print his own, the committees that employ him write the cheques, so how is it his fault.
When it comes to basketball he is 1 of the best. You can trust him with everything except food.
Don you still owe me.
I was there through all of this and know first hand what went on, there is alot more to this story than what is written here.
Yes, DS was paid by HBBA as Coach and Development Officer, under his tenure HB won the Southern Cross, this was mainly achieved by purchasing players from Rocky as well as the two imports....there were only a couple of local players on the team who mostly warmed the bench.
Prior to Hurricanes winning the SX, HBBA had always run their QABL campaigns in the black, and were one of the most sustainable associations in the league due to a number of committed sponsors, members and volunteers. I dont think many clubs would disagree that the spread the the Hurricanes put on was top notch with crowds consistantly over 200 people.... I can say (with a high degree of certainty) that the association books had plus signs everywhere prior to the SX win.
The season that Hurricanes won the SX the following happened:
- member numbers had dropped from approx 300 to about 100 members;
- after the SX win. DS and all the Rocky players and imports left;
- Hurrincanes ceased to exist as the team had been stripped bare with no developed juniors ready to step into the rocky players shoes;
- the Mens competition ceased to exist as there were no players as the bulk had left due to the focus on Hurrucanes, in particularly the focus on family members and Rocky players;
- all sponsors were left with sour tasted in their mouths as many committments were not delivered;
- most the volunteers had resigned; and, the most catisrophic;
- approx $20K of debt (this included expenditure approved and un-approved by the committee).
As the membership had dropped and the associatiion were left with no senior players then the association could not committ to the expanded QABL and try to play its way out of the debt, hence had to drop all rep committments, this eventually led to the separation with BQ.
HBBA can now boast, over the past 3-4 years, that the hard work of a dedicated few has paid off this dept and can now start the rebuilding process. The Mens competition is now strong and the juniors are starting to flood back......One thing is for sure that I doubt that HBBA will afford to make a mistake like this again!!
Unregistered
18-01-10, 07:00
That's funny Kane as i remember HB were getting beaten in some games by up to a hundred and unless the traveling team turned up with two hundred there wouldn't have 300 anywhere to watch. HB has only a small population so they will always have trouble trying to compete with the bigger clubs.In saying that one thing i did learn about DS is he loves people talking about him ,good or bad so he would be loving this shit (thats if he has read it anyway)
yeah i'm sure Donny really doesnt mind ppl talkin about him cos he's on a good wicket at the moment..
and in reply to your HB not competiting they weren't that bad except against SD but who didnt get beaten by 100 by those guys, i'm sure people would prefer to have a local competition then one lit trophy that means what? i know what i would prefer anyway...
Unregistered
19-01-10, 11:34
It doesn't faze me either way but as far as a small trophy that means nothing, i wacthed the Gladstone girls win in Townsville and they needed a mop and bucket after you big fella.You were fairly excited.
haha your right a mop an bucket was needed but we brought in 3 players not 7 and won a FULL state league banner not getting flogged in the cross overs and we still have a thriving competition the year after winning that title not to mention having a program that the girls we brought in want to come back an play in...
a little different in comparison but i do see what your saying :)
Movung forward
09-02-10, 14:15
Whether you love him or hate him Don is getting the sport a profile.
Basketball diplomacy
PETER TIFFEN
February 9th, 2010
FORGET ping-pong diplomacy, the Northern Territory is set to use basketball to build better relations with China and the world.
The NT Government has agreed to give the Darwin Basketball Association $10,000 to send two teams to Shanghai on a tour designed to coincide with its exhibition at World Expo 2010.
With 180 nations participating, the world's fair has the potential to make the 2008 Beijing Olympics look like a tea party.
From May 1 to October 31, an estimated 70 million people worldwide are expected to take part in the largest exchange of economic, scientific, technological and cultural knowledge in the history of the world.
The exhibition site on the banks of the Huangpu River will cover 5km.
"It is a wonderful opportunity. Unbelievable," DBA development manager Don Sheppard said.
"They are promoting Darwin through sport and are going to use basketball to showcase the Territory to the world."
NT Chief Minister Paul Henderson is expected to be in Shanghai with a government delegation for the NT's $300,000 exhibition while the tour is on from August 21-28.
The DBA Board is still to give the proposal final approval but Sheppard said the Government made the offer after the DBA's successful self-funded visits to the Chinese island of Haikou, Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia in recent years.
"They looked at a number of sports and the reason why basketball came top of the list and they made us the offer is because we have done so much good stuff in Asia," he said.
Sheppard said the Government specifically wanted two under-20 youth teams, male and female, to be our sporting ambassadors.
"They thought at that age they'd be able to relate to the youth of China and get the message out there about friendship," he said.
"Using the contacts we have already made in China we will now go ahead and organise some quality games and go about building good cultural relations."
Sheppard estimated the DBA would still have to help players and coaches raise another $60,000 to finance the tour.
Unregistered
04-03-10, 13:55
American quartet to play DBA basketball
PETER TIFFEN
March 4th, 2010
THE Yanks are coming! Four giant American basketballers are on their way to play in Darwin ... and more could follow.
And the man who recruited them, Don Sheppard, said if the other clubs don't want them they will all end up playing for the team he coaches, Rebels.
"I would like some of them to play for the other clubs in the competition to spread the talent around," Sheppard said.
"But if they can't accommodate them they'll end up with Rebels."
The dry season premiers have already signed 206cm power/centre Mike Konanec.
The athletic 29-year-old, who played with Atlanta Vision in the American Basketball Association, will be here in a week.
"He will be the biggest player in the league," Sheppard said.
The Rebs, who are in the midst of a three-game slump in the DBA men's league, have also hooked up with Malcolm Thomas from the state of Delaware.
The 192cm, 102kg forward averaged 20 points per game in the Portuguese pro league and is three weeks away.
Meanwhile, the Eagles have been offered 198cm Californian Charles Whitfield as a power forward.
And Ansett is set to sign 202cm centre Daniel Maddox, 25, who led Ouachita Baptist college in Arkansas to its first NCAA tournament appearance in history in 2008.
"All the clubs need to do is find them a job, accommodation and pay half their return airfare to the United States," Sheppard said.
"There are a number of players wanting to come to Australia - including females. There is going to be a lot of opportunity to get players for the Championship Season. It will definitely help with the standard of the competition."
And another US star could be on his way back to Darwin.
Sensational guard Bayi Handy who averaged a record 35.56 in the Championship Season last year has enquired about returning to Warriors.
Warriors haven't won a match since Handy left to play in Launceston at the end of last year.
"If nothing works out for him in Tasmania he could be back here ASAP," Sheppard said.
Unregistered
22-04-10, 22:24
A GRANDMOTHER has been hit with a 12-month trespass notice banning her from Marrara's basketball stadiums after a brouhaha over a suspended player turned poisonous.
Maureen Roe, 58 - coach for the women's A-Grade team Gigers - has been involved in Darwin's basketball scene for 33 years.
She said she was shocked when police visited her Jingili home last week to issue trespass orders to her and her son.
The Darwin Basketball Association says the orders arose from an incident in July, where staff were allegedly threatened.
But Ms Roe denies the incident took place, and says she's being punished for publicly criticising the association. She's questioning why the orders were made up so long after the alleged incident.
DBA executive officer Allan Hilzinger said Ms Roe and her son abused and threatened a number of DBA staff, in July, over the 10-week suspension of a Gigers player.
He said the matter had been handed over to police, who had then issued the notices.
"We thought the best way to deal with it was directly with the police," he said.
Mr Hilzinger said the incident had been witnessed by a basketball player - Keenan Quinsee, who is also a policeman.
Constable Quinsee was the one who signed the trespass orders drawn up last Wednesday. He refused to talk to the Northern Territory News and police media said it was "not appropriate" to interview him.
Ms Roe denies threatening any staff. She said the only arguments she had about the suspension - which she said was unfair - were with Mr Hilzinger himself.
She admits the last fight they had ended with her son - who had come to pick her up - threatening to punch him over the way he was speaking.
"I said 'don't talk silly' and then we left," Ms Roe said. "I never swore at (Allan)."
If Ms Roe enters the stadium in the next year she could face a $2000 fine and/or six months in jail.
In the meantime Ms Roe says she has no idea what she'll do without basketball.
"I don't work any more, I'm 58 and I've raised all of the kids - basketball is my life now," she said.
Unregistered
22-04-10, 22:26
ANSETT'S boom American recruit Rashad Chase has arrived in Darwin meaning business.
Asked what his aims for the Darwin season were, he said: "100 points per game - 50 rebounds."
I got the feeling Chase was pulling my leg - that's twice as good as anyone has ever done.
But Ansett is clearly expecting something special.
Chase is 23-years-old and was a starting-five player for US division 1 college side Georgia State Panthers for the past four years.
Anyway, we will find out tonight how good he really is when the Blues tackle top-of-the-table Tracy Village Jets at DBA Stadium.
Coach Allan Hilzinger has more realistic aims for his new charge - 30 points and 15 rebounds per match.
"My goal is to play in the highest league," Chase (pictured) said.
"Ansett made me a good offer to pursue an overseas basketball career. That's what I wanted to do, so I took advantage of it.
"My first aim is to help Ansett win the championship and do whatever I can as a player to help make the team better."
Even though his father played, Chase was a latecomer to the game.
"I was nine years old and my mum sent me to the shops to buy eggs," he said.
"On the way there two men stopped me and started to ask questions about how much I weighed and what my height was.
"It turned out to be two local coaches and they wanted me to trial for their team. I have been playing basketball since."
He didn't forget the eggs either, and grew into a strapping 200cm, 111kg rebounding machine - with over 700 boards for Georgia State.
You would think after a 40-hour journey from Atlanta, he'd be sick of jets, of all types.
But he can't wait to line up against the TV Jets from 9.15pm.
He could be the difference - just two points separated the clubs when Jets won in Round 6.
"It was the longest flight of my life and I don't want to do it very often," he said.
"But I am ready to play. I am 100 per cent ready to go now."
Get ya facts right
14-09-10, 22:45
Just read the Darwin paper on line and some guy gets 10weeks for striking a Ref , takes it to appeals they find him guilty of attemting to strike a ref and only give him 3 weeks.Figure that one out
Just so you know, he did not get ten weeks for "striking a ref" he handballed the ball to her (Christine Reimann) and she ejected him, after getting ten weeks for that charge he appealed and got the charge downgraded, so ummm.... maybe you should do some background research buddy
Unregistered
14-09-10, 22:51
The Darwin Basketball Association is having a stellar period in its basketbal history due to Don Sheppard's involvement.
Players coming from interstate to play in the Darwin competition that Don has spoken to about opportunities for basketball and work, are not being paid by Don or the DBA. They are coming because they want to be there to play in the local competition and to try out for the Darwin Airport Resort All Stars team that represents Drwin and the NT by playing in overseas in tournaments every year.
In fact., what Don is doing could be done by other clubs in the Darwin competition, if they to wanted to get out and do some networking within other Australian playing and coaching circles Some time ago the Eagles club in Darwin were involved in bringing a Chinese player to Darwin to play in the local competition.
So, if there are any critics to what Don is doing in Darwin with trying to improve the standard of the Darwin Basketball League or being able to offer the real intensive training program required to succeed at the highest level, then looking at the development of Don's son, Jarrod, and daughter, Tamara, is indicative of what can be achieves as a player developing under Don's tutelage.
If only other youth players could be so lucky to get access to his training programs. But if there are any critics of Don, it more syas something about them - which is sad - than it does about Don.
Ummmm, well jarrod is out of juniors and still playing in darwin... SOME GREAT IMPROVEMENT THAT IS
and Tamara started so much shit at the last nationals she went to and guess what, she didn't even get a mention for a aus camp, Don may not be paying players but Mr Leon Schulz (word around the grape vine) has been, if anyone remembers Brad Bridgewater????
Trying to improve the standard of DBL? REAL INTENSIVE TRAINING?????? You are having yourself on, Timmy Duggan is one of the best coaches that the NT has EVER had, and he is running the NITP, pretty sure that is the REAL INTENSIVE TRAINING, get ur facts right mate
Unregistered
14-09-10, 22:55
i did go have a look at that letter and it does look like DB is in a very good position not to sure how you got the government to waive a 340k debt in these economic times especially with the financial problems you guys have in the red centre but certainly looks like Darwin's dreams of a Seabl team are just that little bit closer...
i guess the other associations Donny took over in the past were alot smaller and didn't have the backing that Darwin obviously has hence why they couldn't keep up with his big dreams maybe Darwin can...
just so you know, we don't live in the red centre, thats alice mate
Unregistered
16-09-10, 19:41
3 post all from the same IP. Welcome to the forum Shelley or should we say P.Brain?
The Devil That Knows
24-10-10, 01:31
Ummmm, well jarrod is out of juniors and still playing in darwin... SOME GREAT IMPROVEMENT THAT IS
and Tamara started so much shit at the last nationals she went to and guess what, she didn't even get a mention for a aus camp, Don may not be paying players but Mr Leon Schulz (word around the grape vine) has been, if anyone remembers Brad Bridgewater????
Trying to improve the standard of DBL? REAL INTENSIVE TRAINING?????? You are having yourself on, Timmy Duggan is one of the best coaches that the NT has EVER had, and he is running the NITP, pretty sure that is the REAL INTENSIVE TRAINING, get ur facts right mate
How "intensive" is the NT ITP. Every junior player in Darwin that puts their name down for the ITP makes the program for 2010/2011.
There is no selection tryout and the parents all have to pay $550 for their children to be in the ITP. Where else does this happen in Australia?
Parents are just afraid that if they don't have their children in the ITP, then their children will not make the NT state programs. As it is, both of Don Sheppard's children did not "pay" to be in the NT ITP but they showed that they could still be selected for NT programs because they are/were out standing junior players who benefited hrough Don's own intensive training coaching program.
Unregistered
01-11-10, 22:19
How "intensive" is the NT ITP. Every junior player in Darwin that puts their name down for the ITP makes the program for 2010/2011.
There is no selection tryout and the parents all have to pay $550 for their children to be in the ITP. Where else does this happen in Australia?
Parents are just afraid that if they don't have their children in the ITP, then their children will not make the NT state programs. As it is, both of Don Sheppard's children did not "pay" to be in the NT ITP but they showed that they could still be selected for NT programs because they are/were out standing junior players who benefited hrough Don's own intensive training coaching program.
Darwin Basketball Assoc. has just advertised for a new Development Officer - wonder where has Don Sheppard disappeared to????
Unregistered
01-11-10, 22:21
Darwin Basketball Assoc. has just advertised for a new Development Officer - wonder where has Don Sheppard disappeared to????
Has Don left Darwin or did he get the sack???
Unregistered
03-11-10, 16:24
What i heard he got the ass when the AGM was held the old guard was voted in and bye bye Don but thats not the end with more court cases than a Judge Judy show happening. The DBA is spending a few dollars on lawyer's to try and bury him. It's a pity because it's the members who will pay. I saw the Adelaide paper the other day when they held the NBL preseason the bottom team had to play agaist an airport resort allstar team which was made up of locals and some imports i had never heard of darwin got blasted by 70 and the reporter said he couldn't understand why they to play against a bunch of baggage handlers.Darwin is a great town but if the locals don't want change it won't happen.
Unregistered
13-11-10, 23:10
That is hilarious. Honestly think that the new boards will make basketball better? i cant wait to see how 'great' basketball is once this current group have all the control and the real workers walk away.
transparency is a word john sealey cant even say. hiding everything so no one knows the damage he is causing.
Cant wait to see these so called coaches try and coach u18 nt teams they can't be filled with imports. don and his lovechild heslop dont have a clue.
you cant spell
Unregistered
13-09-11, 10:30
What i heard he got the ass when the AGM was held the old guard was voted in and bye bye Don but thats not the end with more court cases than a Judge Judy show happening. The DBA is spending a few dollars on lawyer's to try and bury him. It's a pity because it's the members who will pay. I saw the Adelaide paper the other day when they held the NBL preseason the bottom team had to play agaist an airport resort allstar team which was made up of locals and some imports i had never heard of darwin got blasted by 70 and the reporter said he couldn't understand why they to play against a bunch of baggage handlers.Darwin is a great town but if the locals don't want change it won't happen.
NT News Article Saturday 10/9/11 - DBA Basketball Manager Forged Signatures - 3 year good behaviour bond for forging signatures 19 times to go on overseas trips paid by the members of Darwin Basketball Association - his lawyer states that he was the "life blood" of the association and made an "enormous contribution" to the DBA - what a shame it was for his own benefit only!!!! and not the junior players as stated.
Unregistered
13-09-11, 16:20
Just read this whole topic from start to end, plenty of warning signs all along the way. Sounds like a person with far too much power and not accountable to anyone.
Unregistered
13-09-11, 16:42
Just read this whole topic from start to end, plenty of warning signs all along the way. Sounds like a person with far too much power and not accountable to anyone.
Wow, did you really read the whole six pages? Sounds like you have too much free time!
The Devil that knows
16-09-11, 06:40
There certainly seems to be a lot of envious people here with their posts who are negative about all the wonderful things that happened during Don's tenure with the Darwin Basketball Association - and the magistrate recognised this in the recent court case.
Now there are many DBA junior and senior players who will not be able to experience the opportunities that have happened in recent years, such as playing internationally because those now in charge are unable to comprehend how very valuable these types of experiences are for development - both on and off the court.
Unregistered
18-09-11, 10:52
There certainly seems to be a lot of envious people here with their posts who are negative about all the wonderful things that happened during Don's tenure with the Darwin Basketball Association - and the magistrate recognised this in the recent court case.
Now there are many DBA junior and senior players who will not be able to experience the opportunities that have happened in recent years, such as playing internationally because those now in charge are unable to comprehend how very valuable these types of experiences are for development - both on and off the court.
So by your reckoning his theft/deception or whatever criminal act he was convicted of is OK because he did so many wonderful things!
Unregistered
20-09-11, 20:03
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/09/20/261351_ntsport.html
recollections of the seabl season are a bit 'hazy'
The Devil that knows
24-09-11, 22:41
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/09/20/261351_ntsport.html
recollections of the seabl season are a bit 'hazy'
Her recollections are not a bit "hazy" - you just seem a very small minded person. Her accomplishments are excellent and especially since she is still a 17 year old.
The Devil that knows
24-09-11, 22:53
So by your reckoning his theft/deception or whatever criminal act he was convicted of is OK because he did so many wonderful things!
I think you know what the outcome of the court case was and the reference made to the wonderful things achieved was just that, which is true, as the magistrate referred.
The Devil that knows
26-09-11, 00:06
NT News Article Saturday 10/9/11 - DBA Basketball Manager Forged Signatures - 3 year good behaviour bond for forging signatures 19 times to go on overseas trips paid by the members of Darwin Basketball Association - his lawyer states that he was the "life blood" of the association and made an "enormous contribution" to the DBA - what a shame it was for his own benefit only!!!! and not the junior players as stated.
How very misguided is the assumption made here by the small-minded person above in their comment.
Don was asked by the DBA Board to co-ordinate the overseas tours for DBA junior players and guess who benefited - of course, all those junior players whom had tours organised for them to play overseas. How good was that for these junior players from Darwin! And also of course, Don and all those adults whom participated as coaches, managers, tour financial co-ordinators - all had their trips paid for as do adults in similar representative tour positions with BNT and BQ, for example.
The Devil that knows
26-09-11, 00:21
Just read this whole topic from start to end, plenty of warning signs all along the way. Sounds like a person with far too much power and not accountable to anyone.
You are obviously very narrow-minded from your comment above.
The real warning signings involved those persons whom we should all be concerned about whose lives were disrupted because someone like Don started asking questions about how things were being run in the NT.
And I think you know that Don was answerable to the Board of the DBA.
So who were those people whom were being asked questions about what they were doing - were you you one of those people?
The Devil that knows
26-09-11, 00:32
Just read this whole topic from start to end, plenty of warning signs all along the way. Sounds like a person with far too much power and not accountable to anyone.
You are obviously very narrow-minded from your comment above.
The real warning signings involved those persons whom we should all be concerned about whose lives were disrupted because someone like Don started asking questions about how things were being run in the NT.
And I think you know that Don was answerable to the Board of the DBA.
So who were those people whom were being asked questions about what they were doing - were you you one of those people?
Unregistered
27-09-11, 10:19
Her recollections are not a bit "hazy" - you just seem a very small minded person. Her accomplishments are excellent and especially since she is still a 17 year old.
Not small minded but mindful of the truth, Veal never played in SEABL this year and SEABL stats state that Shepherd only played 8 games (not 15) Starting games at SEABL, dont think so , Captain of the U18s and D-League , must have been self appointed. Road trips to Melbourne with the SEABL team , probably not.
I dont really care ,but I dont like have the wool pulled over my eyes by people talking themselves up.
Unregistered
27-09-11, 16:50
Not small minded but mindful of the truth, Veal never played in SEABL this year and SEABL stats state that Shepherd only played 8 games (not 15) Starting games at SEABL, dont think so , Captain of the U18s and D-League , must have been self appointed. Road trips to Melbourne with the SEABL team , probably not.
I dont really care ,but I dont like have the wool pulled over my eyes by people talking themselves up.
You don't really care? BS, why else would you go to the trouble to post it on here? She is a 17 yo kid and i bet you are a lot older and should know better?
You also have no idea what was actually said in the interview. Lots of things are taken out of context all the time. You are just a shit stirrer with nothing better to do than attack a kid form the comfort of your own lounge room, sad!!
I say congrats to her and good luck, any time a kid gets some recognition in the local paper it is good for our sport!
Unregistered
27-09-11, 17:05
You don't really care? BS, why else would you go to the trouble to post it on here? She is a 17 yo kid and i bet you are a lot older and should know better?
You also have no idea what was actually said in the interview. Lots of things are taken out of context all the time. You are just a shit stirrer with nothing better to do than attack a kid form the comfort of your own lounge room, sad!!
I say congrats to her and good luck, any time a kid gets some recognition in the local paper it is good for our sport!
Yeh, I'm sure the real Captain of Districts u/18 girls team would agree with that...but then she's down in Canberra starting for Australia against NZ so probably doesnt even know that tamara has taken her captaincy.
Unregistered
27-09-11, 17:10
Yeh, I'm sure the real Captain of Districts u/18 girls team would agree with that...but then she's down in Canberra starting for Australia against NZ so probably doesnt even know that tamara has taken her captaincy.
Your point is???
Tianna has way too much class to even comment.
Unregistered
27-09-11, 19:35
You don't really care? BS, why else would you go to the trouble to post it on here? She is a 17 yo kid and i bet you are a lot older and should know better?
You also have no idea what was actually said in the interview. Lots of things are taken out of context all the time. You are just a shit stirrer with nothing better to do than attack a kid form the comfort of your own lounge room, sad!!
I say congrats to her and good luck, any time a kid gets some recognition in the local paper it is good for our sport!
Caught out telling multiple lies , thats the sad part.
Unregistered
29-11-11, 21:58
"So by your reckoning his theft/deception or whatever criminal act he was convicted of is OK because he did so many wonderful things!""
correct, though personal sacrifice, the DBA has eliminated a $430,000 debt (caused by the incompetence of the Department of Sport and Recreation), built a commercial standard canteen to ensure future revenue streams, defeated an attempt by people abusing their influence within the NT Government to gain control of the DBA's facilities, established essential office accommodation, implemented contemporary information systems, established unprecedented asia/australia basketball relationships (china, singapore, vietnam, indonesia), and brought about essential change to BNT (problem is now in Victoria), this is an outstanding achievement, contrary to to what the self interest, paid volunteers would have you believe. Look in the mirror you PVs and you will see the problem !!
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