Warragul and District Basketball Association’s Kevin McLaren has been awarded the Jack Terrill Medal for outstanding contribution to basketball in country Victoria.
Kevin first began volunteering in basketball 20 years ago, when he took on the role of coach at Yarragon in the Moe competition where his son began playing.
He moved into representative team roles and attended the Basketball Victoria Country Jamboree as a team manager.
“The guy who was the head camp manager was leaving, so in 2003 I took over,” McLaren said.
From there, the game became second nature to the McLaren family and a past time they could all enjoy together.
“It’s a bit like a religion in our house basketball,” McLaren laughed.
Alongside wife Kaye, daughters Melanie and Emily and son Trent, the family got used to travelling to different locations to play basketball and loved it.
While the family was playing the game, Kevin was volunteering. Managing several teams including the under 17 team that played in New Zealand, before coaching at the Australian Country Cup in Albury.
He became a life member at Warragul Basketball in 2010, including holding roles of secretary and coach of network teams and the Aussie Hoops.
After retiring from the Victoria Police in December, Kevin and Kaye have set off on an 18-month trip but said they will return for a few basketball events, showing their true passion.
Kevin said the award was one he felt extremely honoured to receive.
“I’m pretty humbled, the people who have won it before me have done exceptional things in the Basketball Victoria world.
“I couldn’t have done it without the support of my wife Kaye and our children,” McLaren said.
Coach, team manager, referee, referee coordinator, manager of country teams and mayor for the FIBA Oceania games are just a few of Kevin’s many roles over his 20 plus years of volunteering.
Over the years Kevin has seen many changes, but one thing that hasn’t changed is his love of the game.
“I’ve been volunteering for a long time and have made a lot of friends, it’s been great for the family, basketball takes you to amazing places,” McLaren said.