In the winter basketball season of 1988, my two brothers, aged 18 and 13 and bunch of church youth and adults (including Peter Battersby), entered a men’s basketball team in the Saturday church basketball league. It was the first sports team to represent UPBC after a long hiatus. Wearing dark green singlets with iron on numbers and yellow footy shorts, this newly formed team had passion and enthusiasm, which was just as well, because the first season was a challenge, with the team losing every game bar one by over 30 points. The church rallied behind the team, providing lots of cheering spectators. The one game where the team didn’t lose by more than thirty points my aunty (church member, organist and keen spectator!) bought everyone a soft drink to celebrate. My now sister-in-law and I helped on the score bench, and soon decided we wanted to play, not spectate, and the next season a UPBC women’s team also joined the competition. I’m a little bit chuffed to say the first Premiers flag was won by our ladies’ team in 1990.
Fast forward 36 years to this basketball season – UPBC entered 5 junior teams and 4 senior teams (and four of the junior teams made it to the grand final!). Basketball is a popular team sport that is accessible to a range of ages and abilities. It is a fantastic way to build connections and quickly make friends. Over the last 36 years, basketball has been a wonderful way for people to connect to our church and have the opportunity to learn about God through the testimony of players, coaches and devotions given by our basketball chaplain.
On the basketball court, teamwork is essential. The team of volunteers that organise our basketball club are also a great example of teamwork, and we are grateful for them. Throughout the bible the importance of working together is emphasised. Jesus modelled this by forming a team of disciples to help him in his ministry. Realistically, Jesus had the power to do it all on his own, but, just as he did with the disciples, he now does with us – he invites us to be on his ‘team’, to participate in God’s mission with him. All ages and abilities are welcome, and we can share the invitation with others.
Blessings,
Sarah