Built by community, playing for the Heartland

The Phoenix players have played across the globe, in packed arenas and foreign leagues, but on Saturday night, all eyes turn to the south east.

In the inaugural Heartland Round, Phoenix will meet the Tasmania JackJumpers in a huge clash at John Cain Arena, as South East Melbourne looks to keep its hopes of a top-two finish alive.

Heartland Round will provide a chance to appreciate South East Melbourne’s rich history as the centre ofVictorian basketball, shining a light on the region’s junior clubs, associations, and hundreds of thousands of participants.

Although Phoenix plays most of its games at John Cain Arena, the State Basketball Centre has become the Heartland of South East Melbourne basketball, where 25% of basketball registrants hail from.

Victorian home-grown talent Ellis Biggar knows it’s not only home to the Phoenix, but also many others, including juniors, local associations, and Victorian basketball lovers.

“If we had a private facility, we wouldn’t feel that shared responsibility of everyone making the team better,” he said.

“There’s something really important about having that connection with the players, the club, and the younger people – we wouldn’t be anything without them.”

Heartland Round is special to Biggar, who played most of his junior basketball around the region. The 23-year-old experienced local hoops to the fullest, beginning at VJBL program Hawthorn Magic, before stints at Dandenong, Nunawading and Melbourne Tigers in the NBL1.

“I take such pride to be able to play for the team in the place that I grew up, because once I was that kid thinking how amazing it would be to be out there,” he said.

Phoenix prides itself on being a community-focused club, with its range of initiatives including Heartland Hoops holiday camps, the PNX foundation and HART Sport Heartland Crew, which allows members of the public to get involved through volunteer work.

Teammate Pat Ryan understands firsthand the meaning of community to sporting clubs, hailing from Phillip Island. Coming from humble beginnings, Ryan was rewarded for effort with aBoomers selection to the 2021 Asia Cup qualifiers team.

“I was super lucky with the people I had around me to help build my career. Having that chemistry, connection, growing up with them (teammates) is super beneficial for how you want to start your career,” he said.

For the 23-year-old guard, basketball has never been about himself. Instead, he’s playing for those around him.

“Every single team I’ve played for, that’s been the key. One of my coaches always said: ‘To go fast, you go alone. To go far, you go together’. If you all have a common goal, and you share a belief in who you are, it has a lot of upside to it,” he said.

“Having a team down here really ignites more inspiration and passion – it even gives groups down towards Phillip Island a reason to be a part of a team, so it’s super cool to have that.”

Come Saturday night, fans inPhillip Island won’t be the only ones in the Heartland watching. Catch Biggar, Ryan, and the rest of the Phoenix in their clash against the JackJumpers. Phoenix will be live from 8pm at John Cain Arena.

Wear your junior basketball club jersey to the game, and the first 200 to head to our membership desk near door will get a FREE pair of Phoenix socks. Email membership@semphoenix.com.au for discount on tickets if you play for a community basketball club.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE GAME AGAINST THE JACKJUMPERS THIS SA†URDAY.