CAM Rigby will return to the Bendigo Telstra Braves for the 2008 South East Australian Basketball League season.

Rigby, who is presently playing in the National Basketball League with Wollongong, confirmed to The Advertiser yesterday that he's likely to sign a contract with the club by the end of this week.

''I'm in talks with the club, but everything looks pretty good,'' Rigby said yesterday.

''Hopefully, we'll have everything sorted out this week.''

Rigby will fill the second of the Braves two restricted spots after the club signed American swingman Dustin Bremerman last month.

Rigby was one of the major players in the Braves championship-winning season this year.

The power forward averaged 20 points, seven rebounds and two assists per game, with a season-high 34 points against Mt Gambier on July 13.

Rigby is looking forward to reacquainting himself with his Braves team-mates.

''I had a great time in Bendigo this year and I made a lot of good friends,'' he said.

''A big part of our success was the team chemistry and even though there's been a few changes to the team, I'd like to think we can be a good group again next year.''

Rigby is averaging seven points and four rebounds per game in his 15 games in the NBL this season.

''My form has been a bit patchy,'' Rigby admitted.

''I had a pinched nerve in my shoulder, but I've worked through that and not having a game over the weekend has helped.'' The Hawks are in 11th place on the ladder with a 4-11 record.

They snapped a five-game losing streak last week when they defeated the Singapore Slingers.

Despite the Hawks being unlikely to make the play-offs, Rigby will not arrive back in Bendigo until just before the SEABL season starts on March 1.

The Braves now have one place to fill on their roster.
The club would ideally like to secure a centre or power forward to back up Rigby and Chris Novak.

Story & photo Courtesy of
The Bendigo Advertiser

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BENDIGO Telstra Braves coach Wayne Larkins has signed a new deal that will keep him with the club until the end of the 2010 season.

Larkins' three-year contract was due to expire at the end of 2008, but the dual championship coach was offered a further two-year deal by the Bendigo Basketball Association and Bendigo Stadium Limited on Thursday night.

The new agreement means Larkins will have coached the Braves for eight years come the end of the 2010 season.

''I'm really thankful to the BBA and BSL for offering me the new contract,'' Larkins said yesterday.

''Opportunities have come up for me in the past, but I've stayed loyal to the club and I'm glad the club has shown the same sort of commitment to me.

''My wife and children love it here in Bendigo, so I'm very happy to be coaching the Braves for an extra two years.'' After a shaky start to his coaching career with the Braves in 2002, Larkins went on to lead the Braves to the South East Australian Basketball League south conference championship in 2005 and this year. The club also won the Australian Basketball Association national championship in 2005.

''With the club losing Jason Cameron, Ben Harvey and Sam Fotu to retirement, we think it was important for the stability of the club that we secured Wayne's future,'' BSL chief executive Mick Kelly said.

''The club has good local talent coming through the junior ranks and Wayne can focus on bringing on that talent.

''Warren Randall, Taylor Bell and Kevin Probert have come through the juniors to the Braves program and we need to build on from those players.'' Larkins said he is looking forward to the next chapter of his coaching career with the Braves.

''We'll have a new-look team next year, but I think we're heading in the right direction,'' Larkins said.

''We've had a strong three to four years, but we want to keep improving. Our first aim is always to make the play-offs and we'll look at it again from there.'' The SEABL fixture is expected to be released next week with the season to start on the first weekend in March.

Story & photo Courtesy of
The Bendigo Advertiser

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THE Bendigo Telstra Braves have again secured the services of one of Australia's most promising junior players for next year.

The Braves yesterday announced guard Kevin Probert had again committed to the club for the 2008 South East Australian Basketball League season.

Probert was a member of the Australian under-19 team that competed in this year's FIBA under-19 World Championships.

"It's great news to have Kevin sign with us again because we are trying to build a core group of guys, and Kevin is an integral part to that," Braves coach Wayne Larkins said.

"Because of his commitments with the Australian junior team, it played havoc with his season with the Braves this year.

"It really interrupted his season massively, but he won't have that any more, so he has a full tilt at the Braves, which is really pleasing for him because he can knuckle down and try to go to a new level.

"He has had a couple of years training with the group and I think he is ready to go and just champing at the bit to get his opportunity. "I imagine he's going to be a player that we will be relying a lot on next year."

Probert, 19, is too old to represent the Australian under-19 side next year, but says he is looking forward to increasing his court time with the Braves, who will play in the SEABL's east conference in 2008.

"I can't wait for the new season to start," Probert said.

"I imagine I would get a bit more court time than this year and probably play as the shooting guard, so I'm looking to have more of a role on court."

With Probert confirmed for next season, the Braves now have six spots filled on their roster.

As well as Probert, the Braves have also signed Warren Randall, Taylor Bell, Pat Jennings, Chris Novak and American import Dustin Bremerman.

The Braves have been training since November 12 in preparation for the 2008 SEABL season.

The Braves, who won this year's south conference championship, will open their season in Ballarat on Saturday, March 1.

Story & photo Courtesy of
The Bendigo Advertiser

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On Sunday November 25th, the Bendigo Braves staff and a group of game night volunteers, including our very own Braves Babes, spent the entire day with the South Dragons NBL organization. The Dragons played the Singapore Slingers, winning the close contest 109-99.

Throughout the day our group was involved in every aspect of a typical Dragons game night set up at the 10,000 seat Vodafone Arena, working alongside Dragons management, staff and volunteers. We had the privilege of taking in everything; corporate sponsor box set up and pre-game sponsor function, group meetings, merchandise, ticketing, memberships and entertainment. We had all access passes allowing us entry to all the 'behind the scenes' areas.

The purpose of our trip to the Dragons was to undertake a learning and fact finding excursion on how one of the best NBL teams puts on not just a basketball game, but an 'event' for its fans. Having our own Braves game-night staff, ranging from our Bendigo Braves staff, including our full-time trainees, along with our volunteers including the Braves Babes & mascot Tom-Tom, experience how a professional organization runs their program was invaluable to our learning experiences.

We had the fortunate opportunity of not only meeting the Dragons players, including playing coach Shane Heal, and cheerleaders (the Dragon Flyz), but even other sporting greats such as Matthew Lloyd and Chris Judd, as well as the likes of basketball legends Ian Stacker and John Dorge.

The Dragons management and staff were wonderful hosts, especially Justin Dixon (Operations Manager) and Ryan Gardiner (General Manager), who were kind enough to grant us this opportunity only a select few ever experience.

Kirk Pinner
Sports & Competitions Manager