Emerald Lakers Basketball Club Inc.

🏀COACH OF THE MONTH🏀

This month we’re shining the spotlight on Coach Des!

🏀 Team: 12.2 girls
⏰ Coaching for: 6 Seasons

💬 What do you enjoy most about coaching?
I have always loved playing and watching basketball. Now I get to share that with the next generation. The way these young players are embracing the game that I love is amazing.
Any time I see them with a ball at school or in the audience at a pro game is a proud moment.

💬 Best coaching memory?
Summer 25 season, 10.2G, we beat an undefeated Rockets team in the grand final after falling to them in the qualifying final 2 weeks before. The way our girls believed in themselves was inspirational.

💬 One piece of advice for young players?
If you work hard at the defensive end of the court, success will follow… and your coach will love you.

🎉 Fun Facts:
As a coach for the Lakers, I have…
🟢Been covered in glitter.
🟢Had my hair turn green.
🟢Worn a green tutu in front of way too MANY people.
🟢Done WWE-style intros…
🟢Been a witch called Gloria….
🟢Been Santa's long-lost brother… Greg.
🟢Given out countless amounts of high fives, encouragement… and lollies.
🟢 And enjoyed being part of a fantastic community. Thank you to all the players and families involved in our teams.

Thanks, Des, for the time, energy and care you give our players and our club. We are lucky to have you in the Emerald Lakers family. 💚🏀

Final reminder, Lakers. 🏀

Our Special General Meeting is tomorrow, Monday 10 August at 6:00 pm at The Hills Hub, Emerald.

The meeting is being held for members to vote on adopting a new constitution for Emerald Lakers, replacing the Club’s current 1989 Rules.

There will also be a Zoom link available for anyone who would like to follow the meeting remotely. Please note that Zoom attendance is for viewing only. You cannot vote via Zoom.

If you want your vote counted, you have two options:

• Attend in person at The Hills Hub tomorrow night.
• Submit a proxy by 6:00 pm TODAY, Sunday 9 August.

If you can’t make it in person and haven’t submitted your proxy yet, now is the time. Proxies close at 6:00 pm today and cannot be accepted after the deadline.

Online proxy form:
https://form.jotform.com/261968763244065

Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81399956141?pwd=b4BFTWIjWubYEbOVfRmjdvcabbkgGk.1

Full SGM information and documents:
www.emeraldlakerscommunity.com.au](http://www.emeraldlakerscommunity.com.au

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81399956141?pwd=b4BFTWIjWubYEbOVfRmjdvcabbkgGk.1

Summer 2026/27 registrations are now open! 🏀

Registering takes two quick steps. First, complete our short club details form. It takes less than a minute. Then, finalise your registration and payment through PlayHQ.

It all starts here:
www.emeraldlakers.com.au/playbasketball

Whether it’s their first season or their fifth, there’s a place for them at the Lakers, with Saturday and Sunday domestic teams available.

Go Lakers! 💚💛

Emerald Lakers members, a reminder about an important vote.

The full Special General Meeting pack was emailed to all members on 17 July. If you haven't had a chance to read it yet, consider this your nudge.

A Special General Meeting has been called for Monday 10 August at 6:00 pm at The Hills Hub, Emerald, with an online option for anyone who can't be there in person.

After months of work by our Constitution Sub-Committee, members are being asked to vote on a new constitution for the club. It sets out how the Lakers are run, who can vote, and how decisions are made as we grow.

Everything you need is in one place: the notice of meeting, a plain-English summary of the changes, the full proposed constitution, and the proxy form.

You can have your say in three ways:

In person at The Hills Hub on 10 August
Online during the meeting
By proxy if you can't attend (proxies close 6:00pm Sunday 9 August)

Already read the pack? You're all set. If not, take a few minutes before the meeting and have your say.

Read everything and find out how to vote: www.emeraldlakerscommunity.com.au

🏀 It all starts tomorrow.

If you've got a little one who's been keen to give basketball a go, now's the perfect time.

Whether they're picking up a basketball for the first time or ready to build their confidence, our Monday afternoon programs are designed to be fun, welcoming and full of encouragement.

🐉 Little Lakers (4 to 6 years)
A fun introduction to basketball through games, movement and plenty of smiles.

🏀 Lakers Ready (6 to 8 years)
The next step for young players, developing fundamental skills, teamwork and game confidence.

📅 Starts Monday 27 July
🕓 4.15 pm to 5.00 pm
📍 Emerald Primary School Stadium

Registrations are still open.

🌐 https://www.emeraldlakers.com.au/programs

Tag a family who has a future Laker ready to hit the court! 💚🏀

🏀 Constitution Review 2026 | Explore the Consultation Website

Since January 2026, a dedicated Constitution Sub-Committee has been reviewing Emerald Lakers' 1989 Constitution to ensure it reflects how our Club operates today and supports the future we're building together.

Using the Consumer Affairs Victoria Model Rules and research from basketball clubs across Victoria, the Committee has prepared a working draft for member consultation.

To make the process easier to understand, we've created a dedicated Constitution Review website where you'll find:

✅ Why the Constitution is being reviewed
✅ A plain English summary of the proposed changes
✅ The full draft Constitution
✅ A tracked changes version
✅ Information on governance, membership and voting
✅ FAQs and an online feedback form

This is a working draft, not a finished document. Before it's presented to members for adoption, we'd genuinely like to hear your feedback.

🌐 Explore the Constitution Review website
https://www.emeraldlakerscommunity.com.au/

Special General Meeting
📅 Monday 10 August 2026
🕕 6.00 pm
📍 The Hills Hub, Emerald
💻 Online attendance will also be available.

📧 Please keep an eye on your inbox today. The formal Notice of Special General Meeting will be emailed to the primary registered contact for your family, including details on attending online and how to appoint a proxy if you can't attend in person.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more and be part of this important process.

💚🤍

🏀 Every great basketball journey starts with one bounce.

Whether your child is picking up a basketball for the very first time or ready to build their confidence and skills, we've got the perfect place to start.

🐉 Little Lakers (4 to 6 years)
A fun, active introduction to basketball through games, movement and plenty of encouragement.

🏀 Lakers Ready (6 to 8 years)
The next step for young players, developing fundamental basketball skills, teamwork and game confidence.

📅 Mondays
🗓️ 27 July to 14 September
🕓 4.15 pm to 5.00 pm
📍 Emerald Primary School Stadium

Find out more and register here:

🌐 https://www.emeraldlakers.com.au/programs

Tag a family with a future Laker who'd love to join us this term! 💚🏀

🏀 COACH OF THE MONTH

This month the spotlight is on Steve Gough.

Teams: 8.1 Girls & 12.3 Boys
Seasons coaching: 6

What Steve enjoys most about coaching:
Seeing the growth and confidence of my players throughout the season.

Best coaching memory:
Making a few preliminary finals and seeing how excited the kids are to play.

Advice for young players:
Whatever hard work you put in is the reward you will get

Fun fact: I spend my weekdays building walls, my weekends building basketball players, and any spare time trying to catch fish! 🎣

Thanks, Steve, for the time, energy, and care you give our players and our club. We are lucky to have you in the Emerald Lakers family. 💚🏀

🏀❄️ WINTER WARMERS HAVE LANDED ❄️🏀

The wait is over. The new Lakers winter gear has officially dropped, and there's some seriously good stuff in this release.

🖤 **Fluffy Pants** | $55

Possibly the comfiest thing we've ever sold.
Black fleece, oversized fit, elastic waist and covered in a subtle Lakers print. Perfect for winter mornings, weekends... and maybe basketball. Maybe. Available in XS, M and XL. ****Pre-order now for collection in late July.****

🧦 **Fresh Socks** | $12
Two styles to choose from.
🤍 White with our classic Lakers logo.
🖤 Black with our new Lakers look.
Sizes from kids 5 right through to adult 15.

💚 **Old Skool Hoodie** | $55
This one's for the Lakers faithful.
Featuring the original Emerald Lakers logo front and centre, this hoodie is pure nostalgia. If you've been around the club for a while, you'll remember it. Your kids probably wore it. You might have too. No redesign. No tweaks. Just the original, exactly as it should be. Black, relaxed fit, available in kids' sizes 6 through to adult 3XL. A ride or die club favourite.

🛍️ Shop the range:
https://emerald-lakers-basketball-club.square.site/s/shop

📏 All sizing information is available in the online store.
📍 All orders can be collected from the Shed at EPS Stadium - you'll be notified after you order!

Questions? Email Eleanor on [email protected]. Winter doesn't stand a chance. 💚