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Catherine Ferraro
A NEW era has dawned for Wallan basketball.
A rejuvenated operating and committee structure and the recent establishment of a Wallan Basketball Player Development Plan is steering the association in a new and exciting direction.
As agreed at its recent annual general meeting, the club now operates as 'Wallan Basketball Incorporated' and is well-founded to embark upon its long term goal of having a senior Victorian Basketball League team playing out of Wallan.
In 2011, the club will be governed by a new Executive Committee recently elected, consisting of Gary O'Brien (President), Kathryn Harris (Treasurer), David Liesegang (Secretary) and Leanna Francis (Vice President). 
In other key changes, both the Friday representative and Saturday domestic competitions will now be managed under the one umbrella, headed by Craig Stewart (Wallan Panthers) and Cameron Hardy (Wallan Domestic) respectively.
The Club has also secured the services of Cameron Hardy and Gary O'Brien in critical Coaching Coordinator roles.  This will ensure all Wallan basketball players and coaches will have access to the combined, extensive basketball coaching expertise and international playing experience of these two individuals. 
The general committee has committed itself in 2011 to continuing to improve the quality of the local competition and to ensure participants have the best possible basketball experience in an environment within which they can improve, excel and have fun.  The association would like to thank departing committee members. 
Three Wallan Panthers teams recently represented the club at the annual Wangaratta Junior Invitational Tournament as part of the pre-season warm-up to the 2011 representative competition in which Wallan will have 5 teams.
Representative teams will compete in under 12, 14 and 16 boys, under 18 girls and under 20 mens.
It is the first time an open age side has represented the Panthers in the Victorian Basketball League.
The new Wallan Domestic basketball season tips-off with grading games over the coming weeks.
All local basketballers are encouraged to register and become part of the new competition.
Registrations are still welcome from new and old players alike and can be completed online via the Wallan Basketball website.
There are also opportunities for budding or experienced basketball coaches and referees.
In 2011, the club intends  to conduct training courses in order for anyone interested to become an accredited coach or referee, all in alignment with the new Wallan Basketball Player Development Plan to ensure consistency in learning and in the fundamental playing principles taught to all Wallan basketballers.
With the positive and tangible changes now taking place within the Wallan basketball club, along with the explosive growth of basketball in the country and region, Wallan Basketball Incorporated is now 'fast-breaking' on an aggressive recruitment drive for all young basketballers in the Wallan region. 
If you are interested in playing for Wallan, the club warmly invites all current and past players to be a part of something special over the coming years.
In addition, local businesses are encourgaed to get behind the association in its efforts to promote the sport in the region and provide local children with access to a professionally run organisation that aims to foster a strong local basketball community.