By BRIDGET SCOTT
IT may only be a small town of around 500 residents, but the patrons of a quiet coastal village want more than half a basketball court to keep them entertained.
Parents of young children in Cannons Creek have requested council to extend what is now a half-sized basketball court to a full court so that more children can make use of it.
John Higginbotham, who only recently moved to the area, runs basketball lessons at the court each Saturday free of charge, and said he would love to accommodate more people.
The basketball enthusiast said he moved to the area from the Hills to be closer to his grandchildren.
“(When we moved) they told me there is no oval, no bike track, so I said, what is there?”
“Then I got my rates notice, and that really upset me.”
“I thought there are no facilities, this isn’t fair.”
Mr Higginbotham signed the petition that was started by local parents to have a full- sized court installed.
He coaches for an hour and a half each Saturday morning and teaches the children basic basketball skills.
“It means so much to the kids,” he said.
“This is where some of the elite players come from.”
“From small communities come great players.”
The coach said he aimed to build the confidence of these young stars so they could go to bigger complexes and take part in a proper team.
“It means they won’t be embarrassed and know they will get into a team,” he said.
Mr Higginbotham, who has three granddaughters who live in the area, said a highlight of this experience was to see the kids succeed.
“Seeing kids make their first lay-up or the look on their parents‘ faces when their child gets their first shot,” he said.
“The kids love it and we have a rule where we always have a game and everyone must touch the ball,” he said.
The local resident said he hoped with some pressure on council the court would be extended.
“It will give them something more to do,” he said.
City of Casey manager Sport and Leisure Richard Amon advises that the provision of a basketball half-court is standard for recreational basketball facilities located in parks. Council is investigating the existing basketball half-court site to identify its suitability for any future facilities and will liaise with the local Residents Association as options are identified.
Council also identified other recreational facilities residents could use, which include reserves in nearby towns which have ovals and courts, such as Tooradin and Pearcedale Recreation Reserves.
