Five decades of service

By Matt Romania

In an emotional and inspiring evening at Victorian Basketball’s annual awards dinner, Wayne Slack, the President of Bacchus Marsh Basketball Association, was celebrated for a lifetime’s dedication to the sport he loves.

His contributions, spanning an incredible 50 years, have been pivotal in shaping the game in the local community and beyond.

“It was quite a surprise to receive the news that I was to be presented with a service award from Basketball Victoria, as I was unaware that I had been even nominated by the BMBA,” Mr Slack told The Moorabool News.

A journey that began over half a century ago has seen Mr Slack evolve from a young and passionate player to a coach, mentor, and driving force behind the BMBA’s thriving association. His coaching and leadership skills have reached from Ballarat to Melton, and his influence has been felt across all levels of basketball in Victoria.

“I have spent much of my spare time throughout my adult life so far, working in some form or another in basketball, a sport I love dearly and really that won’t change. Seeing a young person achieve something they didn’t think they could ever do, the look on that face is reward enough for me,” he said.

But his accolade not only reflects his passion for the game but his partner’s support.

“To receive this acknowledgement was great but really it should have gone to my wife, who has been a basketball widow for the past 40 odd years and, really without her support none of this would have ever been possible,” he added.

Whether guiding young athletes in their early years, coaching at a BIGV level, or supporting basketball in his community for over 30 years, his commitment has left an indelible mark. From the highly successful Bacchus Marsh Beginners program to the development of elite junior players, Mr Slack’s love for basketball echoes throughout BMBA.

“But seriously, to be honoured for something you love doing is really great and something that I will cherish for a long time.”