Knox Basketball is delighted to announce its award recipients from last night’s Annual General Meeting held at Boronia Stadium.

LIFE MEMBERS:

Rob Brownlie - Inducted in 2024 at the Annual General Meeting on the 28th May

Rob has coached Junior Domestic basketball spanning over four decades and all at Ferntree Gully Falcons. During this time, he has not only developed players basketball skills but also given hundreds, if not thousands of children valuable life skills enhancing the wider basketball community. He has mentored young coaches and been an integral part in the development of many successful coaches within the Knox Basketball program spanning some 40+ years.

Rob was instrumental in the growth of player numbers at Ferntree Gully Falcons in the formative years which highlights the impact Rob has had with thousands of kids and players at Knox across two generations, something which is simply immeasurable. 

Rob also coached Junior Raiders from 1984 to 2001 and returned 8 years ago to be a mentor coach for Junior Raiders, currently assisting Hayden Morris in the Raiders 14.1 boys’ team. This is most exciting for our young and aspiring coaches to have this level of support and guidance. Rob’s grandchild plays at Knox in junior domestic with Rob still heavily involved at FTG Falcons today. 

Rob was assistant coach for our Senior Raiders men’s team from 1992 to 2001 including CBA, SEABL, VBA, and summer league VBA. His calm yet precise leadership approach oversaw the development of the Senior Men’s program throughout the 90’s and paved the way for decades of success for KABA/KBI. He was also the assistant coach to the Vic Metros U16 State team in 1991.

Another amazing fact is that Rob played Senior domestic basketball at Knox for well over 30 years and was a respected participant by his own teammates, opposition players and referees alike. The Sunday night VETS competition has an award in Robs honour for the MVP which shows the level of playing commitment Rob gave to our senior domestic competition. I don’t think there would be any person at Knox Basketball that would have played as many senior domestic games that Rob has.

Rob has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of Knox children showing them the values that every member of the community would be proud of.  He has coached various NBL, VIC Metro State and AIS (COE) players and even those who went on to play senior basketball in Europe.

The respect Rob has earned by his dedication to basketball and in particular KBI is felt throughout the entire sport. He has made lifelong friendships at Knox Basketball during his 40+ years and guided many under his mentorship.

A recent quote from Rob. “I have coached so long at Knox, it’s great to see so many players that I have coached still involved with their own kids with the game.”

Rob’s service to Knox Basketball is that of legends.

Margaret Keen - Inducted in 2024 at the Annual General Meeting on the 28th May

In 1979 or thereabouts, Margaret entered an U16 girls team from Olinda into the Knox Basketball Association competition playing out of Boronia. (She was the coach of this team until the girls aged out in U18’s). Seeing a girls team playing some local boys in the area decided they too wanted to play basketball for Olinda. This was the initial forming of the Olinda Basketball Club and a short time after a Committee was formed with Margaret and her husband at the time Garry being Secretary. When Garry became ill, Margaret stepped in and took over the role as Secretary, a position she held for several years. During this time Olinda Basketball Club changed their name to become the Olinda Bushrangers and the club continued to grow immensely over the next decade.

In 1984 Margaret took over a door keeping role from her daughter and has been the face of our Friday night competition (along with Pat Vaughan) for the past 40 years. Always greeting people from all over the state with a smile.

In this time she has been a reliable and hardworking member of the Knox Basketball team, happy to help where needed, and assist with extra duties like tournaments & National competitions.

In the later years after Pat retired, Margaret has shown great leadership training new staff and helping the younger generation learn the unique tasks of the Friday night competition.

Margaret is such a worthy recipient of Knox Basketball Life Membership based on her formative years in volunteer, coaching an committee work with the Olinda Bushrangers Basketball Club to her long standing Friday night service spanning 40 years.

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Life Membership of Knox Basketball is awarded to someone that has served our Association extensively and contributed to KBI in a ranges of areas. Without their ongoing service, we would not be the Association we are today.

Knox Basketball whole heartedly thanks Rob & Margaret (along with all our Life Members) for the contribution to Knox Basketball.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR (2023):

Melanie Hedley (South East Eagles & Knox Junior Raiders) -

What a wonderful and deserving candidate Mel is. Mel is a long-standing committee member for South East Eagles and is one of my most committed and hardworking members.  Mel steps up to assist in almost all areas and is a constant person volunteering her time to the club.

Mel is always there to help when needed and works tirelessly to ensure the club and club events are well planned and a huge success.

Mel has also been a long-standing committee member for the Knox Junior Raiders and is always at games and trainings, taking photos, helping in all areas and the first to put her hand up. Mel is always there willing to help, not matter what the task. 

Knox Basketball could not be prouder to present Mel Hedley as our 2023 Volunteer of The Year. 

PLAYERS OF THE YEAR (2023):

Paige Burrows -

• Paige began her Junior Domestic career with the Boronia Buffaloes in Under 8’s in 2010 and played right through to under 16’s in 2020 before COVID hit.
• Paige began her Junior Raiders career in the 2012/13 VJBL Season.
• Paige started playing Big V in 2019 and has been a permanent player in our Women’s NBL1 team for the last 3 years.
• Paige was Development Player for the Melbourne Boomers WNBL team in 2022 and 2023.
• Paige made the Victorian State team in 2022 (U18)
• Paige was also in the Victorian State Team in 2023 U20 (won Silver)
• In 2023, Paige was selected for the 2024 U20’s National team (won Gold)
• In 2023. Paige played for Australia in the Gem’s team in the U19 Women’s World Cup

Paige is always respectful to her coaches and is a pleasure to have in our organisation and we cannot see anyone more fitting to receive this award.

Adam Slavnic -

• Adam started his Junior Domestic career with the Wantirna Jetbacks, before moving to South East Eagles in late 2023 for the Summer Season.
• Adam began playing Junior Raiders in 2015 and had been a regular Youth League player with Knox Raiders in since 2019.
• Adam continues to shine on the court for our mens Youth League team and is a great leader to the younger kids coming through our program.
• Adam’s determination, commitment, and dedication to junior domestic and Knox Raiders proves he is a well-deserved winner of this award.

Adam is an incredible ambassador for the Knox program and a player who is worthy of this award. Well done Adam, this award is a testament to you and your hard work.

CLUB OF THE YEAR (2023):

All Stars & Wasps Basketball (joint winners)

Congratulations to all our award winner from last night, and incredible achievement and reconition for your hard work and dedication to Knox Basketball.