Sydney Kings Indigenous Round 

Experience of a Lifetime!

On Sunday 26th October 33 students and six staff boarded a coach at 7:30am to journey to Sydney for the experience of a lifetime. Stewart James - a former NHS staff member who currently works for the Sydney Kings designing their Indigenous jerseys and as a cultural consultant to the organisation - spearheaded the excursion, acquiring tickets to the Sydney Kings vs Tasmania Jack Jumpers from the Kings and securing all transport costs through Basketball NSW.

Our group arrived at Sydney Olympic Park at around 3pm and headed into Qudos Bank Arena. We found our seats and had a look around, with the bright lights of the stadium resulting in a number of wide-eyed NHS students lapping up the atmosphere. A Kings staffer then came and got us, taking us down to floor level as we formed the guard of honour as the two teams took to the court. Getting up close and personal with the players, high fiving as they ran on to the court was absolutely amazing and an experience our students will not soon forget.

Then it was down to business to watch the Kings get the job done on court, and after an even first half they kicked away in the third quarter and looked set for a comfortable win. The Jack Jumpers were having none of that though, as they came back from 15 points down in the fourth quarter as the Kings crumbled. Tasmania hit a buzzer beater to win by one point, which was both incredibly exciting yet also disappointing way for it to finish.

We then went and jumped on the bus and headed for home, rolling back in to school around 2am. An exhausting day but so special to be a part of. All the students had a great time, it was such a great opportunity for them.

Huge thanks must go to Stewart James, who was so passionate about getting this opportunity for young people from his hometown and delivered an experience to remember. We must also thank Basketball NSW for covering the costs of the coach – such a massive input from them which we are forever thankful for. And to the Sydney Kings for providing the tickets, a huge thankyou to their entire organisation as well.

Mr Dave Kroek 

Excursion Co-ordinator