Decisions

In my 12 or so years of playing basketball at a pretty high standard, I have rarely seen it as a chore. There are obviously the ups and downs of any season thats all part of it, but last season was tough to get through for many reasons. That poses the decision I have to make farely soon, whether or not I'm capable and willing to make the commitment with the Gunners again for 2012.

I had a meeting with Matt Glasson, the new coach of the 'Canberra Gunners' basketball team the other day. He came around to meet me and to ask if I was interested in playing next season. He seemed like a nice guy and pretty commited to turning the program around from the disappointment of the last few years for the team. As the Gunners are the only team in the league that doesnt (for some ridiculous reasons) have the resources to pay its players anything, it makes it tough going up against the much wealthier and talented teams in and around Melbourne and also makes it very hard to recruit any players from overseas or interstate. Also tough to get the commitment from people to give up a few nights a week and every other weekend away, without any financial gain.

Its difficult to grow a professional mentality in a team, although not being paid like a professional. Thats where I had problems last year. Putting in a large chunk of me and my families time to a team that didnt really seem to care about doing what it takes to be successful, makes it a hard decision because I still love the game. Being injured for half the season didnt help either. Bruised elbow, hyper-extended knee, sore back, bout of Gastro, Broken nose TWICE! and a Hyphema to the eye which ended my season, and apparently could have easily blinded that eye. I have never had so many injuries in my entire career like what I had in that one season. I cant really put those kind of injuries down to my body telling me its time to hang up the boots, because most were unusually freaky injuries that arent a product of over use. But I definately struggled to get through the year physically, not having enough time to put into the extra things that get you through a season, was probably a main factor for that.

The main decision I have to make is whether I'm capable and is it worth it? I still love the game and want to play, but can I sacrifice our time as a family to keep going? Jem will be working full time, plus doing Uni a few nights a week, also everything the kids are doing during the week and on weekends makes for a tough weigh up. We want to travel and visit places and people, so having your weekends dominated for 7 months of the year makes that hard. Because of all our family commitments, last year I barely scraped through with the absolute minimum of commitment to the team. Being the captain and a senior player, that was frustrating.

When you do something with a passion for so long and then it comes time to possibly say goodbye and move on, its not easy. Luckily I have a lot going on with my family and we are always so busy that I dont really think about basketball too much. If I compare playing basketball with being away from Jem and the kids, and taking away from the family dynamics, then its a no-brainer for me.

Hmmmm, decisions......

This photo was taken in New Zealand while I was playing for the 'Hawkes Bay Hawks'. Always makes me smile, although I wasnt particularly happy that day and the kids with the sign were loving it!