The Mandurah Magic are hoping to put an injury ridden 2011 MSBL season behind them by becoming contenders for this year’s championship, and nothing would mean more to the Magic’s local talent Andrew Bowman, Tom Remmerswaal and captain Ben Caporn.

All three players have links with each other through their respective junior careers and often competed with or against each other. Remmerswaal started his junior career with Mandurah, while Bowman and Caporn were teammates in Rockingham.

“I started out in Under 12’s, and played all of my junior basketball here in Mandurah, including Country and Metro teams,” Remmerswaal said.

“I spent a couple of years over east as well as a season in Bunbury but returned to Mandurah about four years ago,” he added.

Caporn’s and Bowman’s playing days started as juniors and has progressed into the starting backcourt for the Magic.

“Ben and I played together since we were in the Under 12 development team when his dad coached us,” Bowman said.

“We played a few games against Tommy as well so we have all known each other since we were younger."

All three players began their SBL careers at a relatively young age, with Remmerswaal debuting at the young age of 15.

“The coach wanted me to go on the court and all I did was just look at him; I was expecting to ride the bench and I think I ended up playing about 20-30 mins that game.” Tom said.

Both Bowman and Caporn played a significant amount of games for the Rockingham Flames before relocating to Mandurah. Despite the Magic’s win-loss records over the previous seasons, Bowman firmly believes that his transition further south has helped his game.

“Ben gave me a call and asked if I was interested in making the move to the Magic and it’s really made a difference in my game, I’ve made it from a bench player into the starting point guard,” Andrew said.

Caporn played approximately four years with the Flames in junior squads and the SBL and is now entering his eighth season in Mandurah. The Magic’s captain believes the team has what it takes to make a run for the finals this year.

“There is a great bunch of guys here and everyone loves playing together. We’ve played a few finals games but now we just want that little bit more,” Caporn said.

All three players also speak very highly of the culture of the Mandurah club and the people involved, with Bowman paying particular homage to those involved behind the scenes.

“The club atmosphere is just great here. I’m known as a very disorganised player who tends to forget things like my drink bottle, but Spitty and Mrs M always come prepared and ask me if I have a drink bottle with me. Not many other clubs would have people like that who are willing to go out of their way for a bunch of sweaty boys,” Andrew explains.

Like with all teams, there is always a lighter side to the players and with that comes embarrassing tales that all three players were willing to share, with former Wildcats guard Aaron Trahair seeming to be the subject of most stories.

“One story that comes to mind was Aaron playing a game last season with two different shoes on,” Remmerswaal said.

“He seems to be able to turn a serious moment into a laugh,” Bowman added.

“We could be one point down with only a few seconds left and he just has the habit of making everyone relax and calm down.”

Despite the teams injury woes last season, all three players agree that this year is looking a lot brighter for the team, with the arrival of a new import and the fitness of last year’s import Taylor Mullenax on the improve.

“We can’t have another season like we did last year, we even had injuries to bench players that would have helped fill in for the starters when they were injured,” Bowman explained.

Bowman added that since his arrival in Mandurah, the Magic have never had a full season with both imports fit and playing at the same time, and if all goes to plan the team will be a serious finals contender.

“With the new import arriving, he will fit into the game plan we have for this season. We may not be the biggest team but we are confident of what we want to set out and achieve for this year.”

Article by Nathan Winch
Photo by Darren Speedie (Vision Inspired Photography)

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