Um if I was a player I would walk straight away!

Why would you stay for a club like that? Any self respecting player would be gone!

Sending coaches to courses will not solve any long term issue's by not having a DOC. You develop a relationship with a DOC and are able to bounce things off them. Spending this sort of money on courses or camps is just pissing it away. If this method worked then why are the bigger clubs not doing it for their coaches? Cause it isn't a viable or as effective solution as having someone there permanently.
I would also be seriously be thinking about my position on the senior team and whether or not I wish to be associated with such an unorganized committee making more crazy decisions that affect the team, more than likely just so their sons can play minutes.
No direction, no idea, no viable plan and no clue = Morningtons Committee.

What experience do the people on the committee have in basketball? How much real basketball knowledge do they have? Is it a new committee just trying to make a statement? People jumping on for what reason?

If you don't have a knowledgable basketball (DOC) person giving direction and making decisions for basketballers and coaches long term, are you going to have a very hands on committee? Do you want that? Who is really going to ensure the coaches keep improving? Will the committee be at all trainings to answer all coaches questions big and small?

You need to establish a culture and a direction you want the club to go. We will play this style........ We will all play man to man defence for the development of all kids......

Canoe without a paddle????

What is it with committees on the Peninsula?? Must be egos too big??

The players should stick up for the teammate/ coach and walk out on this club.

Everything a side, love him or hate home Demarcus is a person with a young family to feed. This was his job not just a par time gig like it is for most.

Poor form Mornington, take a good hard look at yourselves.

Hope you can't find a coach and your team forfeits on the weekend

Mornington are known for this, their committee has always been questionable and their decisions not in basketball's best interest. DeMarcus will be fine he is too good a person and player to worry about being in a tip like Breakers. Good luck DeMarcus

Agree DeMarcus will land on his feet he is that sort of person; poor form Mornington Committee is an understatement. The committee have business minded people with a president who likes to make comparisons of his swim centre and that's how basketball should be run. Yes an individual sport where the fastest gets the prize; basketball where you bring individual skills to a team format; fastest or most skilled doesn't always equal wins but he doesn't understand this.
If they had just left the basketball alone and run the business side (which is what Frankston are now doing) then all could have worked. Instead they are trying to be radical in implementing stupid things like people outside the club not trying out, camps for coaches, sacking coaches/employees because they don't agree with how they do things. Lets not pull any punches here, DeMarcus was removed because he wasn't a yes man to the all mighty president. Then there are the other committee members who didn't like how their sons where treated on the team and made this known; well guess what you don't get preferential treatment cause daddy is on or mates with those on the committee.
Very sad that a club with so much potential will be held back by morons driving the Titanic/MDBA into an iceberg.

To put some perspective into this, the committee has done an excellent job of turning around the Association financially in such a short period of time. What they are lacking is basketball expertise. The one size fits all model doesn't work for basketball.Each sport is unique and needs to be tailor made accordingly.The way this situation has been handled and the timing reflects poorly on the club and there is alot of spin in there media release.As i said previously they should of had an external review conducted into the program by someone with expertise in that area.I like Demarcus as a person as he is always approachable and i hope that he can find another gig in Aust for his young family.

The committee have done a fantastic job helping the club financially but for some reason I think this gives them a sense that know how basketball and how it works. Employ a knowledgeable basketball person and leave them alone with KPI's to meet that are realistic. Don't try and steer a DOC into what you believe should be happening because you had 1 or 2 people in your ear.
They don't have the strength of a Frankston or Dandenong domestically to be making crazy rules. The club has been built on outsiders coming in; parents and players coming in from other associations bring knowledge and are usually willing to bend over backwards to help out as they are thankful for being selected in a team. This will help your club improve it's program. You need a balance and this committee seems to think they know it all but they may leave footprints so deep MDBA may never be able to dig themselves out of.
Don't be dictators, listen to everyone including those you don't agree with an open mind.

(Mod: Deleted at author's request.)

I won't go into my position at the club but myself and my kids will be looking elsewhere at seasons end. I have not mentioned to anyone this to anyone at the club but there are others looking elsewhere now and I know some have already approached people at other clubs. That's really sad when you consider how much of this season that's still to play out. How to destroy a club in 6mths Phil and your committee? Keep going and you will go so far backwards no one will wish to be there; you will become WP......the club you go to when no one else wants you but even that will prove difficult to do with your "no one outside the club can tryout".
MDBA = Dictators; this club will not be a family club or a basketball club while this committee is in power.

I would be interested to know what their overall plan is, and what blue print they are trying to follow. Though they may be trying to create their own blue print? Who knows?

In regards to other clubs on the Peninsula, they are all running differently from what I can see, but that is not to say any one club is right or wrong however, Mornington do seem to be making a few decisions recently that has consequently made plenty of people unhappy. But time will tell if those decisions work out for the better.

With Frankston being a SEABL club, they are obviously ahead of the game compared to other Peninsula based clubs, SP looks be heading towards a Big V State Champ direction, but Mornington and WP seem to be up and down with no real clear direction.

Interesting times ahead.

I don't think too many eyes had a look over that media release.It came across as a COM love fest with the coaches conference.Pretty easy to read the underlying tone of it.

I would hope that the committee does read some of the comments on this forum and takes it on board before its too late.

I listened to the committee address the people of the association as a coach and a parent; they spoke of family club and looking after their own.......I didn't realise there were points of exclusion that weren't mentioned. The media release was so transparent it was a sheet of glass; clearly they didn't want to be challenged on what they have planned, easier to remove the thorn.
May be joining the list of movers as I'm not sure I want to live under a dictatorship.

Unsure if anyone saw or knows of an email doing the rounds asking for us to help find the senior men a coach. You dig yourself a hole COM you find your own way out, perhaps ask your new buddies Ian Stacker or Phil Shelley if they know of anyone. I know people but I would NEVER recommend them to work with this committee and suggest anyone who has someone they think can do the job, first ask yourself if they are a friend and if you wish to keep them that way. No friend would recommend this position with this committee in charge. What chaos, you had no plan or anyone to replace DeMarcus and now you want the club to bail you out......well I won't be.

Post a copy of the email?Would be shocked if there was such a thing.Surely not...

This is what was forwarded onto me, attached was the job description for the senior men's coaching position:

Good evening coaches, assistant coaches and team managers,

I am sure you have now read or heard about the restructure presented by the COM.

First and foremost, despite my personal feelings for DeMarcus, I want to add my support to the future that has been put forward.

The revised structure means that that one of our showpiece teams- the Big V Mens – no longer has a coach. I am requesting that you assist in finding a suitably qualified and dedicated coach for the lads that represent our club at a senior level.

All you have to do is pass on the attached flyer to all of your contacts at your first convenience.

I met with all the players last night and, speaking as a parent, I know that I would be very proud for my boys to be a part of this team.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

That 100% has to be a joke? Please tell me it is a joke, it is a joke right?

Ooooh I wish it was a joke but here it is again if you missed it or think I'm joking:

Subject: Mornington Breakers Big V Coach Expression of Interest

Good evening coaches, assistant coaches and team managers,

I am sure you have now read or heard about the restructure presented by the COM.

First and foremost, despite my personal feelings for DeMarcus, I want to add my support to the future that has been put forward.

The revised structure means that that one of our showpiece teams- the Big V Mens – no longer has a coach. I am requesting that you assist in finding a suitably qualified and dedicated coach for the lads that represent our club at a senior level.

All you have to do is pass on the attached flyer to all of your contacts at your first convenience.

I met with all the players last night and, speaking as a parent, I know that I would be very proud for my boys to be a part of this team.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Kind Regards,

Philip McDonald

Why don't they get their DOC to recruit a coach? Oh thats right, they got rid of him.

What's Ian Stacker doing there?

I do love the line "I met with all the players last night and, speaking as a parent, I know that I would be very proud for my boys to be a part of this team", the team DeMarcus put together? COM are morons; unfortunately I'm on this train 'at the moment' and it has no brakes and I don't think it will stop until it hits something and I am unsure if I want to be part of the wreckage that's left over when it happens.

Ian stacker is apparently going to come in and run coaching clinics every so often; apparently coaching clinics are the way forward so the COM are telling people. I know Ian has ties to whoever pays him and he has earned that right but how's that help a new coach on a Friday night when they need feedback from a home game or feedback at a training session where none of these specialist coaches are? Train wreck....TOOT TOOT it's a coming

was he once a coach of the girls at Nuna?

i have a good friend on the committee May i say its not fair to blame the whole COM there are a few people with a lot of basketball knowledge and experience that are simply not being listened to as it has become a dictatorship under current president phil king who has openly stated he has no knowledge on basketball,and his dislike of Big V his intimidating tactics on members on Com has obviously stopped it functioning properly.
But do not worry to much my MDBA friends the wheels of rectification of the problem have started to turn

This all sounds too familiar down Seaford way!

Karma I hope your right about the wheels in motion; unfortunately when sitting on the outside all we can do is judge the COM as a whole as that's how it is presented to us. I also know people on there and have asked why have they done nothing to stop him and get blank looks. I have seen this before at sports clubs where one person comes in power tripping and unfortunately it does reflect on the whole committee but that's how they stand as a whole; that means they are all tarred with any decision that is made, they share the responsibility. Phil King is a dictator and I have heard before things were being done to nullify his input but that was 6mths ago and nothing has changed; I don't know everything but I know he is the issue and will leave not footmarks but ditches to be filled in when he goes that the club may never recover from. The longer he is there the more issues he is creating.

WTF are you on PUD? What marc has Seaford left on the MDBA program? Is Phil King from Seaford? I thought he was from Mornington way?

If that email is a true representation of how things are running, l feel sorry for anyone involved.How unprofessional moving people on when you have nothing in place. Shows lack of any sort of sense, professional or business.
They had months before the season started to sort this out, if there was a problem & if there was a problem early, as we can only guess, why place some one in a position and then do what has been done. What experience do the 8 members of COM have - thought there was 10 - the others must have got smart and got out. More smoke and mirrors???

Ryan Rogers - formally, Sherbrooke - Western Australia - Western Port- Southern Peninsula - Blackburn - Pakenham & his merry gang of players who move with him. All l would say is good luck & good luck to the current players!

Rumour has is that Sth Pen, Blackburn and WP all sacked Ryan, he would be a fine pick up for the club; NOT. I suppose he would need a Merry group to follow him as the current group probably wouldn't play under him. I heard he applied for the senior coaching position when it was first advertised and he missed out. Possibly someone trying to shit stir by mentioning his name. Phil King and Ryan Rogers; the place isn't big enough for their ego's lol

Definately not Ryan Rogers...Only have to Google him.

Hang on, wouldn't the MDBA members have to had voted their current COM members in?

Is the committee appointed for a 2 year term?

Wouldn't be the first time a club has voted in a committee/president that has turned rogue. What needs to be remembered here is no matter what, the committee represents the people and if enough voice disapproval they cannot turned a blind eye. But according to Karma things are in motion; I say believing is seeing

re WTF. I'm referring to similar issues at Frankston (which is located in Seaford!). Don't be so aggressive mate, its just an opinion.

Are Mornington playing on the weekend?

Merge all Associations on the Peninsula.
Independent board running off court.
Basketball people with KPI's running the on court.
Quantity + Quality.

Simples.

Sorry PUD you just seemed way off the marc with what you were talking about and confused me with where you were going; should have just said Blues that way you would of hit the Marc and I would of understood what you were saying and not have had to hit you with a steeler pole lol

Maybe i could make my Big V debut at 46 :)At least im fitting than some of the players running around in Big V.

Billy I always thought WP and MDBA would merge; Frankston wouldn't merge if you are counting them in the Peninsula one your referring to? And im not sure Sth Pen would as they like doing things their way. I think someone tried to get the WP/MDBA to happen a fews years back now but obviously hit a wall and nothing was done. I remember seeing WP committee members coming over for meetings with our committee; apparently no one wanted it.

Wasn't including Franga. They're in a different municipality. All 3 Peninsula teams (SP, Morn, WP) fall under the Mornington Peninsula Shire. So when chasing government dollars, they're all chasing the same money. From my last count there was approx. 70+ VJBL teams between the 3 Associations, proving just how popular the game is on the Peninsula.
An amalgamation of the three would see better pathways for all juniors on the peninsula, as the new entity (should) have teams in VC in all age groups, plus State Champ (Maybe SEABL) teams to aspire to.
A 'home' of basketball could be created in a central location, with additional resources, both financial and people, available.

To me its a no brainer, and as someone who has been involved with basketball on the Peninsula for a long time, would love to see it happen.

To my knowledge, the Bobcats is a Domestic club that plays at all of the Associations (I could be wrong though).

Billy Hoyle that is correct.Bobcats play across 4 associations.

The full team is united and going to wodonga minus berry of course

Coach?

not really,,they play for their club not the committee

Wolves will beat them anyway.Got a good group of fringe SEABL players who are getting better each week.Not too many spots on the Bandits roster for locals.

I agree with the players are supporting the decision by playing.

Understand that they play for the club not the committee, but if they stood united and said this is utter BS and we are not playing until you do the right thing then what would happen?

What's the almighty committee going to do? Forfeit and get a$2k fine each week? Pull a team together of Big V standard players who are not playing elsewhere and prepared to go to Wodonga with less than 72 hours notice? Doubt it, they would cave in.

The Mornington players need to grow a pair.

Billy Hoyle, why would SP join with the other clubs when they already have a strong pathway, producing a high amount of state players, have the women's program in State Champ with the men's closely behind them? I don't see great value in SP joining other Peninsula based clubs TBH, they are finally up and running well so why invite two basket cases in to the mix?

I get where you are coming from, but the other two clubs would have to pull their finger out and get back on track before anyone would look at joining with them.

I am calling BS on Rogers as he is quoted in the Pakenham Gazette in Sept. 2014 as saying:
Rogers said he and the club were headed in different directions. Rogers said there seemed to be a push from others to ensure that external, non-Pakenham-based players became a thing of the past for the club in favour of a stronger pull of youngsters coming through who could fill out the Big V program, but he added: "It takes a bit of time to get it to that stage. It's just like the GWS Giants in the AFL - they need mature-age players to surround all these great kids. If the next coach doesn’t have some freedom with bringing in players who’ve played at higher levels of Big V in the past to aid the transition period, while the club continues to see its kids develop, they might see the locals lose interest with the demands of senior basketball and success that will follow in the immediate future".

There are committee members who don't want external players but Rogers can only operate that way and if the committee have done due diligence than they would have also read this which goes against what they want.

Talent is certainly not an issue at SP, Ashke.

But, imagine what they could do with a larger pool of players to develop from. More money and human resources. More sponsorship dollars. Government dollars. More local support.

I understand your point administratively, but on court, combining all 3 associations would compliment SP's existing talent, not diminish.

Good points Billy Hoyle

MDBA super president won't have a bar of it as he has his own agenda, from what I hear SP don't want Marc back and Gerard likes doing things his way. Would need massive changes on committee's for it to happen but it certainly has merit.
Could see MDBA and WP merging first and get the ball rolling, would hope then that SP would want in.
Would be a site to see though; I think the halfway point between all clubs was about Devils Bend from a report I saw a few years back when something like this was being thrown around.

Then why can't it happen Ashke ?

If the majority want it to happen, it should happen. Individuals standing in the way need to either jump on board, or move out of the way. Personal ego has no place over the greater good.

Devils Bend seems about right. I've always thought a good spot was the Martha cove spoil site. Right on the corner of the freeway and the highway. Accessible to all three areas quite easily.

Maybe call them the Peninsula Bobcats? Wait thats already taken, i will get back to you regarding a name.

Thought they were looking for a coach. Looks like more than coaching
"The new coach will be joining elite coaching expertise in Ian Stacker, Phil Shelley and Impact Training Systems in providing support and development opportunities to our coaches and pathways for players into the senior ranks."
Good luck to who ever is game enough to put their head into the oven. Appears YL coach could be too smart to take it on - wouldn't that be the normal course of action "promote from with in" Oh sorry, l forgot, we are talking about mornington.

New coach will be joining Ian Stacker, Phil Shelley and Imapct Training System. Since when has Ian Stacker or Phil Shelley had a position at Mornington? I thought Ian had ties with Eltham? Or does everyone have a price? As for Impact, so many disappointed stories about their camps and parents that won't be sending their kids back to it. Haven't seen Phil around the club.
I do like the fact DeMarcus put the team together - a solid roster and good support structure - absolutely no support whatsoever from the President and some of his goons. In fact some those parents of kids on the team couldn't even remove themselves from having input into the team lineup, they wouldn't have gotten a game anywhere else except for daddy's involvement. Give me a break, it's about time the truth came out as to why DeMarcus was removed when they can now afford ex NBL coaches in Stacker, Impact and Shelley when they expected 1 person In DeMarcus to do the job they say they have 3 doing now.

Impact camps poorly run, for elite players only, not girl friendly, nothing special, waste of time and money, kids got nothing out of it, girls and boys mixed, wrong ages mixed up (15yr olds with 11yr olds) and coaches weren't teaching anything my VJBL coach isn't teaching.....these are the negatives from parents.
To be fair I should also offer the positives I'm hearing; pushed the kids hard, learnt a few new skills, the boys learnt some discipline today and the coaches were fantastic.
This feedback that parents offered are from not just Mornington based camps; I always ask parents I know how the kids went at basketball camps cause I'm curious to get feedback.

Should have coach in place by half way through the season.Poison Chalice!!! Only the desperate will apply.

Perhaps the president could step up; he did the Ian Stacker course, he must surely now be over qualified. He is in the process of stuffing up everything in the junior program, he has only half screwed the senior team; perhaps he could finish it off by appointing (no need for an interview) himself as coach and show us all up.

I believe he was pipped by Ronnie Ryer...

Don't think RR would even touch this!!! As Happy Days said "Poison Chalice" - Who would take it!!!

Ronny is money driven; MDBA won't cough up I hear he has been helping out at Frankston.

Doubt Ronny would touch it he parted ways with morno on bad terms,

Just found out there "successful applicant" will need to purchase a membership to be allowed to coach and it is a volunteer position
Lmao Good luck

Well it is D2, so I wouldn't imagine a great deal of money being put on offer. But volunteer status might be a bit too far, well if you want to attract anyone slightly capable of coaching anyway.

So now they want the successful applicant to pay to be a volunteer coach with half a page of work expectations. Thats not the norm -ah but is that the new mornington way. Definately wouldn't want to be a part of that. Why would any coach.

There kidding arent they...no renumeration.So the coach will have to pay for his own expenses.Train wreck!!!

Wow what a mess

#524534

How is this a reflection on the league?

What do you expect the league to do? Its not BigV's role to interfere in the process, unless there is a clear and immediate threat to the ongoing participation of the team - and that does not seem to be the case.

Unsure if anyone else has heard but President Phil wants Big V gone from Mornington; anyone hearing this? Too many people saying it to be a untrue.

(Mod: Inappropriate.)

Maybe there going to enter an NBL team??? if you dont have a senior team might as well put the queue in the rack.

It's no secret that Phil wants Big V gone. Has said to a number of people in the past that it's a waste of money. I'm not surprised they don't want to pay a coach.

(Mod: Legally questionable.)

Yes as a concerned parent, past player, coach and administrator i have heard all the rumours that have been discussed hear, No Big V program next session, Domestic Prices increased, New Championship domestic grade, Coaching education Revolution, Bullying local clubs,council members, and schools to get his own way. All part of the package with this crazy cat, this has been going on behind closed doors for 12months and has now only risen it's ugly head because people are starting to realise they dont like what they seeing, and hearing. Good Luck DMac your better off.

(Mod: Deleted at author's request.)

Just a reminder that whether you are anonymous or not, if I receive a legal letter requesting information that will identify you for court action regarding defamatory comments, I will comply.

Discussion should be healthy for all basketball clubs, and criticism can be helpful and opinion useful. Not every post about every club will be positive. Light in dark places and all that. I provide the ability for anonymous commentary and account-free posts in that spirit, but you are responsible for what you post.

Frame it fairly and post only what you are willing to back up yourself.

It is not allowed to have YL teams on their own you must have the senior teams

Well that may complicate things if that was the intention. Suppose a rethink will be in order if that was on the cards

Hearing the breakers men's team are short players for today. Wonder who and why when they had a full roster. Coach??? Long long trip for a happy bunch. Good luck!

Its a long way to go to lose...Nothing a few frothies wont fix!!!

Well done to Mornington tonite.Enjoy your beers youve deserved it!!!Bushies are very very ordinary...

I wish to apologize to anyone who may have bean offended by my post that was removed.

Agree anonymous time to move on

What will be will be.Lets hope decisions are made in the best interests of the Association and its members.