Volunteer of the Week – Laurie Trengove

Team Hawks has a team of dedicated and talented volunteers who help out behind the scenes each and every week. Their contributions to the club are valued and we want to share the great work they’re doing. This week we’re paying thanks to men’s team manager Laurie Trengove, who has been volunteering in the role since 2006.

How long have you volunteered for?

I’ve been manager of the men’s SBL team since 2006. When Shawn rang me this year to see if I was still keen to manage the men’s team, I was in India touring the Taj Mahal. It was a quick conversation! 

What made you want to volunteer your time to help the club?

Both my son and daughter played WABL and I spent most weekends going to basketball games.  My wife was involved as a manager with WABL and on the score bench for SBL and I just tagged along with rest of the family.  Since my own sporting career was tragically cut short by lack of ability and I was sick of just watching basketball games – I decided to put my hand up for ‘state’ and travelled interstate with the men’s IVOR Burge state team to Melbourne for nationals.  It was an experience I will never forget and although it was enjoyable, it was very tiring and I was very glad that I was teaching at the time and spent the next two weeks recovering.  I also went to Country Cup the following year as a manager of one of the under 14 men’s teams.

It wasn’t long after this time that the manager’s position with the men’s SBL team became vacant.   I was subsequently interviewed by John Gardner and appointed as manager in 2006. 

What's it like being the manager of the men's team?

I enjoy the job and it gives me somewhere to go on weekends, now that I am too old to get into the nightclubs! It is a way of still being involved and part of the team with all the excitement minus the hard work of training each week and keeping fit for game night.  Being the manager, gives me the opportunity to work with players and coaches from a wide range of backgrounds.  I especially enjoy watching the local players improve and grow as SBL players over the years.  The players are very appreciative and respectful of my position and this makes my job much easier.  

 Favourite things about volunteering and being such a big part of our game nights?

Game nights are great to catch up with people within the club and others from opposition teams I have gotten to know over the years.  I enjoy watching the coaching staff on game night and how they use their skills and experience to motivate the playing group, and the different tactics they use to get the most out of individual players.  Listening to the conversations the coaching staff have before and during the game where they discuss their strategies for the game and how to counteract opposition players are very interesting and educational.  

 

Article: Lani Munnee