Hoop Time Highlights

Mini Hoop Time

On August 21st, our Years One and Two students attended Eagle Basketball Stadium for Mini Hoop Time. Mini Hoop Time is a beginner friendly day of basketball, where students of all abilities are able to participate.

Six of our Year Six Leaders in Action took on coaching roles for the Mini Hoop Time teams. They ran group training sessions once a week at lunchtime to get the players ready to compete. As well as our Year One/Twos learning basketball skills and rules - our Year Sixes got to put into action their communication skills, leadership and build up their confidence too.

On the day, a two hour basketball clinic was run by SEDA College Year 12 students, assisted by the Year Six coaches, giving our Year One/Twos the opportunity to consolidate their basketball skills. After lunch, students played five short games against other schools, and sometimes against each other! Our students displayed remarkable determination, teamwork and sportsmanship. Well done to all our Year One/Two stars for giving Mini Hoop Time a go!

We are so proud of Milly, Hope, Poppy, Matthias, Neel and Harry, our Year Six coaches, for being amazing mentors. ENPS families, staff from other schools, and officials approached us throughout the day to say that their guidance was outstanding, patient and supportive. This kind of leadership and care is part of what makes Essendon North so special.

YEAR SIX COACHES (with their hot chocolates)

YELLOW TEAM

Coach: Milly

Madison, Imogen, Zac K, Van, Lola, Evie, Thayne, Santiago

WHITE TEAM

Coach: Harry

Eshan, Kieran, Josh B, Jessica, Aaliyah, Heath, Ally

GREEN TEAM

Coach: Hope

Summer, Hope, Madvhi, Billy, Juanne, Sara, Ariana, Lenny, Easton

PURPLE TEAM

Coach: Neel

Baris, Hugo, Neel, Annie, Lachlan, Charlie, Gabriel, Audrey, Harriet

BLUE TEAM

Coach: Matthias

Players: Ziya, Taira, Jaylene, Adah, Maia, Cooper, Remy, Ryder

RED TEAM

Coach: Poppy

Players: Zac T, Aston, Billie, Leandro, Jackson, Ria, Elisha, Leah

Junior Hoop Time

On August 28th, our Years Three and Four students attended Keilor Basketball Stadium for Junior Hoop Time. Junior Hoop Time is played in three levels: All Stars, Future Stars and Rookies, so there is a competition for students of all abilities.

Another six of our Year Six Leaders in Action took on coaching roles for the Junior Hoop Time teams. They ran group training sessions once a week at lunchtime to get the players ready to compete. These coaches took their training on the outdoor basketball court, where they had to compete with playground noise as well as all the wind we’ve been having! The Year Sixes agreed the experience helped improved their communication, leadership and confidence.

On the day, students played four to six short games against other schools, and sometimes against each other! Our students displayed remarkable determination, teamwork and sportsmanship.

We are so proud of Willow, Elle, Jackson, Saanvi, Rye and Kian, our Year Six coaches, for being amazing mentors. They often coached against adult parents and staff members from other schools, and demonstrated exceptional calm leadership and sportsmanship - something even adults can learn from! ENPS families, staff from other schools, and officials approached us to praise their outstanding, patient and supportive guidance. This kind of leadership and care is part of what makes Essendon North so special.

ROOKIES

Coaches: Kian and Rye

Purple Players: Attila, Ellie, Evie, Adem, Lawson, Jasper, Scarlett, Quinn

White Players: Ward, Harper, Valentino, Kevin, Eliza C, Luna, Alessia, Lexi

The mixed Rookies competition includes five games without finals, and the referees help teach the rules to these new players. The Rookies had this to say:

“My favourite part is getting to have a go with the ball and shooting” - Harper

“I love having fun with my friends and competing with them” - Alessia

“I loved playing against different schools” - Lexi

“I loved seeing what everyone’s strengths are” - Luna

“I got to play basketball and I didn’t have to do any school work” - Jasper

“I enjoyed shooting and passing to my teammates” - Evie

“Everyone was happy and having fun” - Valentino

“I enjoyed seeing my team grow as individuals and as a team” - Rye

“I liked watching my team grow as the day went on” - Kian

FUTURE STARS

Coaches: Jackson and Saanvi

Yellow Players: Leander, Ankush, Rafael, Miller, Spencer, Isabella, Gia, Zadie, Emma

Green Players: Reuben, Lachlan, Isaac, Bastien, Eliza D-D, Annalise, Ebony, Amelia

The mixed Future Stars teams play other teams of who have some experience of playing basketball and there were Grand Final matches for the winning teams of each division. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to finish in the top two teams this time, but our Future Stars players improved consistently with each match they played. The Future Stars had this to say:

“I loved playing with my school friends and supporting all the ENPS teams” - Amelia

“My favourite part was playing against other schools and everyone was really supportive, especially our coach Saanvi” - Ebony

“Everyone has been supporting each other today and working together as a team” - Gia

“I liked how even though we didn’t win every game, everyone supported each other anyway” - Zadie

“Everyone showed great sportsmanship, and if we lost we said good game” - Ankush

“I enjoyed how everyone had so much spirit and enthusiasm, everyone was respectful towards me and the refs. My team was the best!” - Jackson

“I enjoyed supporting and encouraging my team to try their best and improve their teamwork” -Saanvi

ALL STAR BOYS

Coach: Willow

Players: Ben, Alex, Zach A, Thomas, Sam, Tim, Ali, Milan

Our All Star Boys team had so many close games, including a tie! They lost by single digits in every game and we are so proud of the tenacity and teamwork they displayed throughout the day. The All Star Boys had this to say:

“I enjoyed playing with my team” - Ben

“I enjoyed being coached by Willow and playing with my friends. I said to myself you’ve got to keep on trying and not give up” - Ali

“I’ve made a lot of new friends” - Alex

“I loved working as a team with my friends” - Milan

“I enjoyed getting to know the boys at training and helping them get better at basketball” - Willow T

ALL STAR GIRLS

Coach: Elle

Players: Sophie, Elsie, Indie, Georgia, Willow, Mila, Holly, Dani

Our All Star Girls team made it to the Grand Final and were cheered on by every Essendon North team, parent/carer and staff member. Despite giving it their best, they went down by just two points! Such an outstanding result for the girls. The All Star Girls had this to say:

“I loved how everyone tried their best and I loved hearing all our classmates cheer for us in the Grand Final” - Willow W

“I enjoyed playing the games and versing other schools” - Sophie

“I enjoyed coaching the girls during and in between games to help them improve” - Elle

Senior Hoop Time

On September 4th, our Year Five/Six students participated in Senior Hoop Time at Keilor Basketball Stadium It was a hugely successful day, with all our teams making it through to play in the Grand Final!

Our All Star Boys team displayed great teamwork and determination, making it to the Grand Final in their pool. The All Star Girls team also fought hard, narrowly missing a win in their Grand Final by one point. Both Future Stars teams showed excellent sportsmanship while playing each other in the Grand Final, with Mr Smith’s team emerging as the winners. Our Rookies teams enjoyed their day, celebrating wins and supporting each other. Overall, all students gave their best effort and showed teamwork, encouragement and good sportsmanship. Well done to all the students who participated in Hoop Time this year.

Playing team sports provides kids with so many benefits. It helps them get involved in their community, stay active and learn to collaborate as part of a team. Team sports also foster communication and leadership skills, improve coordination and build resilience, skills that will benefit them on and off the court. We are very lucky that there are many opportunities to play a range of sports in our local area.

ROOKIES

Hamish, Ayube, Astrid, Numaan, Joanne, Almira, Engy, Mason, Cristiano, Harry K