Hi, I'm Mark, and I am nominating to be the Perth Spectres next Club Leader! I am an original 2019er and over the years Spectres has become part of my DNA. I have learnt a fun new sport and have made wonderful friendships.

The year before I found Spectres, I was at rock bottom. I came out of an abusive relationship and was left not just to grapple with that pain, but to also address some deep-rooted past traumas. I say hand-on-heart that I would not be the self-loving, authentic and empathetic person I am today if it was not for Spectres. You were there when I cried, when I publicly shared my story, when I was stressed, anxious and emotional. You were also there to throw some healthy shade at me, have a laugh, spend quality times together and show me the art of basketball.

Spectres, I cannot thank you enough. It is for the reason I want to give back to the Club and would be humbled to be the 2024 Club Leader. I am far from perfect but will do the best I can. I strive for our club to live, breathe and fart the Spectres values of Respect, Friendship and Community.

My priorities for 2024 are: 

• AUTHENTICITY – to continue celebrating our uniqueness as a community and as individuals, and focus on our shared bonds. 

• SHARED OWNERSHIP – to include all members in the running of the club, regularly providing updates and listening to ideas. 

• LEGACY – to plan for the future, engage well, and capacity build future leaders in the club.

I would like to be on the Spectres Committee because I love basketball  and would like to share the basketball knowledge I have with as many members as possible. Being new to Perth less than a year ago the club offered me an instant community where I felt welcomed and gained a sense of belonging. So I would like to support the club to continue doing what it does so well.

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Originally from a small town in NSW. Basketball  was a part of my life from the age of 5. I love the game, learning new skills, improving my game and it allowed me to travel and meet new people. I played in QLD for the Gold Coast Rollers (while studying) and the Toowoomba Mountaineers (while teaching). I have spent over 10 years teaching HPE in High Schools and coaching adolescents in many different sports. My favourite was always basketball. I really value coaching in a way that everyone feels welcome to learn at their rate, encouraging good sportsmanship and fair play always. 

As the current Treasurer of the Perth Spectres Basketball Club, and running unopposed in the upcoming election, I am committed to continuing our journey towards greater inclusivity and community connection in sports. My ongoing focus is not only to support the creation and ongoing success of a safe, welcoming, and fun environment for all, but also to ensure the sustainability of our club for the future.

I plan to leverage my experience and position to implement financial strategies that will secure the club's future, ensuring that we have the resources to support our inclusive initiatives. This includes responsible budgeting, exploring new funding opportunities, and fostering partnerships within the community.

Together, we can build a club that not only celebrates diversity and inclusivity today but also stands strong for years to come, allowing future members to enjoy and benefit from the inclusive and vibrant community we have fostered. Let's continue to make the Perth Spectres a symbol of unity and longevity in sports!

I am excited to seek nomination for the position of Community Leader for our amazing club. When I joined Perth Spectres in 2022, I had no prior experience playing basketball or involvement with an LGBTQIA+ community group so didn't know what to expect. However, from the moment I stepped through the doors at UWA Sport, I was warmly welcomed and made to feel included, and Perth Spectres has truly become a second family for me.

Throughout my time as a member, I have observed the unwavering acceptance, support, and empowerment our club offers. I am deeply committed to preserving and enhancing this open, welcoming space where everyone feels safe, valued, and fully enabled.

I can genuinely say that my personal journey with the club has been transformative. Not only have I gained skills in basketball, but the experience has also been instrumental in fostering my confidence and a greater sense of self-acceptance. It has heightened my awareness of the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals both in sport and in society.

As Community Leader, I aspire to build on the foundation of inclusivity that makes our club special. I am committed to fully supporting our members through organising events that celebrate our diversity, strengthening relationships with other LGBTQIA+ clubs, and advocating for inclusivity in collaboration with external groups and sports organisations.

I am passionate about upholding the values of Community, Friendship and Respect that define Perth Spectres. With your support, I am eager to contribute to the continued growth of our club as a welcoming and affirming space for all.

Thank you for considering my nomination. I look forward to the opportunity to serve as your next Community Leader.

Hello. For those who don’t know me, my name is Amelia McLeod. And I am nominating this year for the secretary and general committee positions. I have been a member of the Spectres since November 2021, and ask anyone who knows me outside of the Spectres, my basketball club is one of my favourite things to talk about. Before I say why I want to be part of the committee, I would like to share a few smashing memories I have had with the spectres. First of all, Fairday 2021. I am unsure if you know, but it was my first ever pride event; I went alone and was a little nervous about going. As soon as I found the spectres tent, I felt welcomed. Everyone was so kind and invited me to lunch with the group. Soon after, I was excited to be part of Team Cheesecake even though I didn’t have much prior basketball experience. This wasn’t just a one-off experience. It was soon apparent that the spectres were more than just a sports club. It was a family. Given the year, it was clear how much genuine care there was between members; it was a support network with people offering help if others were sick or isolating and with informal and unofficial ‘events’  throughout the year spending holidays alone. There were also amazing official events like the Basket-Ball and the winter getaway with high ropes courses and archery in a thunderstorm. 

I know you all already know how great the spectres are, that is why you are here and I am getting carried away. But I want to mention the three spectres’ core values, Respect, Community and friendship, and tie them to three events that really brought to me what spectres mean. I am going out of order there. For community, I want to take you back to 5th February, two years ago. Harvey and Justin invited everyone to their house for a Lunar New Year party. Even the new members like me, I hardly knew anyone. But I was very happy to be invited. For those that weren’t there, the night had a smashing end with me walking through their patio door. What could have been a traumatic experience wasn’t because everyone was there. Stepping in like the community you all are and helping out from administering first aid to getting gloves and an apron on and cleaning up the class and blood and afterwards everyone checking to make sure I was okay.

Next for friendship, back to 2022, this time to the winter getaway. On the first night, we had a bonfire, and as part of it, we had to write our fears and worries down and burn them in the dragon. But before they burned, some of us shared them with the group. as a way to free ourselves from them. No one’s worries were too small or too big, and there was no judgment, just support. Isn’t that what friends are, people you feel comfortable sharing your worries and fears with and who will be there to support you through them? 

And finally, respect. Last year, I got to go to Sydney to play at the World Pride tournament. Where we played against other spectres and a few non-spectres teams from across the country. Other than the Mixed Darby competition, did we win any games? No. But were we there cheering each other on for every single game? yes. Even the finals that Perth unfortunately didn’t make we were cheering on the players and we were the only club to do that. Even in the normal league, at the end of every game and when we break for time-outs or even mid-play. I am always proud to hear positive and encouraging comments. Building each other’s confidence and highlighting what people are doing well instead of pulling down on what they haven’t. 

So, after that detour. Why do I want to be on the committee? I love the Perth spectres. The community and what they stand for. I want other new members to feel as welcome as I was when I joined, and I want the opportunity to give back to the club that has given so much to me. I have a lot to offer the committee. I have experience in different roles on both student and international professional committees with responsibilities of organising events, meetings, and workshops and producing newsletter articles. I am also dedicated and reliable, and while I will never be the fastest person on or off the pitch, I will keep working until the job is done. 

TBC

The first time I played basketball was at primary school and I got completely hooked. I grew up watching Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and the "Chicago Bulls" dominating the NBA and later on in awe of Allen Iverson's crossover and wished that I can someday do some of his moves.

Being vertically challenged can be hard in basketball world, however nothing can stop me from playing the sport that I absolutely love. I play with passion and heart, some speed and basketball IQ on the court. Each day, I strive to be better than I was yesterday.

I have been playing with the Perth Spectres since September 2020. One of the best decisions I've made. I've got to play the sport that I absolutely love and forged friendships with wonderful people.

When I am not in front of my computer analysing numbers and reports, I am usually running around a basketball court or at the dojo training martial arts. My martial arts training has given me the skills as a facilitator.

I am nominating myself as a general committee for the 2024 Perth Spectres Committee because I would like to give something back to the community and to continue the good work that the past committees have done for this wonderful club. In 2021, I coordinated a fund raising event through Cadburry Chocolate Box Sale and Perth Spectres Members generated $450 of profit for the club. Last year, I coordinated the first ever Perth Spectres Intraclub 3 x 3 basketball competition and given the positive feedbacks from the participants, I would like to continue with the initiative in 2024. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the participants having fun, being more confident and skilled at the end of the competition. I have also recently been invited to be part of Perth Spectres Sport Sub-Committe to help facilitate our train and play.  I am looking forward to working with everyone in this club to help Perth Spectres flourish even more. 

*no pitch*