A stalwart of Victorian country basketball was recognised for her tireless efforts at the opening ceremony of the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup at Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre on Tuesday.
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Long-time team manager Wendy Campbell was presented the Country Cup’s Award of Merit by Basketball Victoria Country manager David Huxtable.
Campbell’s achievement was met by a standing ovation from the Victorian camp, which reduced her to tears.
The Country Victoria female group manager for the Country Cup was “gobsmacked” by the honour.
“When I saw all the kids stand up, that was the end of me,” Campbell said.
“All I was thinking was ‘get it together, get it together.’
“It was just a great tribute, I just loved it.
“I’d be the last person expecting to win this.”
Campbell’s primary role is to help the players stay fit and healthy during what is a massive week of matches at the Border-based tournament.
“I do all the massages and keep the kids on the court for the whole week while they’re up here,” she said.
“I do it for the kids and I get to meet good people like the coaches and the other team managers, we all work together.
“The kids are great, they’re friendly, we have a few laughs and there’s great camaraderie in Victoria Country.
“You couldn’t find a better place to be, they look after everyone.
“Vic Country are like my second family.
“We’re a big basketball family, we look after each other and the kids are all great.”
When I saw all the kids stand up, that was the end of me. All I was thinking was ‘get it together, get it together.’
- Wendy Campbell
Campbell has been a team manager for some very successful Victoria Country teams, working with likes of Jaz Shelly and former Australian Opals assistant coach Peter Lonergan.
“I’ve watched a lot of them grow from under 14s all the way through to under 18s and under 20s,” Campbell said.
“I’ve been at my own home association in Traralgon for more than 20 years as well.”
Campbell couldn’t speak highly enough of Huxtable and the work he does to ensure the entire Victoria Country basketball community is united.
“Dave is a fantastic manager,” she said.
“They care about us and get us involved, which I think is important.
“They ask how can they make things better and if we need any help.
“All the team managers work together on finals day and we have so many players with blisters and needing massages, so everyone joins in and helps each other.”
Campbell has also been the under 18s state team manager for the last 10 years at the national championships.
The side won the gold medal at last year’s event in Townsville.
Victoria Country claimed both the under 16s boys and under 18s girls finals at last year’s Country Cup.
Beau Greenway
I like to tell the stories of great people in our communities. Email: beau.greenway@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I like to tell the stories of great people in our communities. Email: beau.greenway@austcommunitymedia.com.au
