Waroona basketball sets the beat

The Waroona basketball courts are the heartbeat of the town on Wednesday nights thanks to the success of this year’s competition.

The season was adjusted so that all junior and senior teams played on the same night, something president Brad Vitale said had created a great atmosphere.

“There is a real buzz about the place,” Vitale said.

“The seniors end up coming early to watch and coach the juniors and then the juniors stay back and watch the seniors.”

The Waroona Redbacks’ season almost never went ahead because of the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“We initially didn’t know what the turnout would be like, but we got 150 juniors and 100 seniors,” Vitale said.

“We also run an under nines skills session each week with the help of some of our life members.”

Life member Tony Pisconeri is one of the junior coaches and has been involved in the club for almost half a century.

Grace Pisconeri also helps out — after more than four decades with the club.

But perhaps the most inspirational life member is Lynda Le Roy, who is still playing basketball at 70 years of age.

Le Roy said she did not get tired because the game she competed in were not as fast-paced as some of the others.

Junior president Leah Seubert said the club was now busy preparing for Country Week, which will be held next month.

“We have some great young talent in Waroona so it is always exciting to compete at a higher level and the kids always have a lot of fun,” Seubert said.