A message from Club President, Kerryn Westcott.

Dear Club Members

It has been unfortunate in the past few weeks we have had several unfortunate negative incidents involving players or parents at our club. We therefore find it necessary to reach out and remind members with regards to inappropriate behaviours that will not be tolerated at Mountain Tigers. Players are reminded that intentional aggressive behaviour towards another player, either on your team or the opposition, will not be tolerated. Should such behaviour occur against an opposition player and result in an unsportsmanlike foul, the coaches are advised to remove the player for the remainder of the game and report the incident to the age group coordinator.
Parents and players are reminded that approaching an opposition player or parent after the game, inside or outside the stadium, and more specifically touching any other player in any way, is unacceptable. When the game is over, it’s over! There is no need to take matters to anyone else and it reflects badly on all concerned when this occurs.

Please refrain from making negative or snide comments to Tigers players in your child’s team. Basketball is an inclusive sport, and it is often the case that there are a range of skill levels in a team and very different characters. We should only be sharing words of encouragement and support to every player on the team.

Understand that the coaches are volunteers and are giving their time to support and coach the team. None are NBL1 coaches – they are generous individuals with a passion for the game and helping players be their best. They deserve your thanks after every game and not your negative reflections. Think before you have your say – is it fair on the coach? Finding coaches in our growing club is never easy, and the biggest reason they do not return is due to negative parent behaviour.

And with finals coming up for many teams, parents should not sit on the coaching bench during the game. Where there is limited seating and parents are close to players, we ask where possible for the team manager to sit at the end of the players, and nobody else should be inside the coach/player space. If there is a need (injury etc) the player can move away from the bench and be with the parents.

I thank you for your support of Mountain Tigers and ask that you reflect our values and expectations when on the court and around stadiums.

Kerryn Westcott