Kings in the Community
In October 2010, the Sydney Kings released their Culture Document. While everyone in Sydney, from the media to the fans, were excited about the return of the iconic brand, the ownership group were busy creating a set of guidelines that would promote the type of basketball club that the revitalised Sydney Kings would become. This formed the basis of the Culture Document that detailed the four foundation values that the team, and the organisation, would promote as their values – integrity, uncompromising attitude, community connection, and excellence in all aspects of their interaction with the wider community.
Assistant Coach, Conner Henry assumed the responsibility of coordinating the Sydney Kings' community engagement program. It is through this mechanism that the team is most readily recognised as meeting all four of its Culture Document principals.
"With the Sydney Kings' first season back in the NBL drawing to a close, we have been reflecting on some of achievements on and off the basketball court," Conner said.
"We are quite proud of the fact that we have made over 300 community connections during our 2010-2011 season, throughout Sydney and New South Wales, as well as into communities in other states when we have played our away games," he added.
"Our school visits program has been significant. This is our opportunity to promote the Sydney Kings, the National Basketball League, and basketball as an inclusive gender-friendly sport; and we would like to thank all the schools for their support and invitations to visit them during the season.
"All of our players have been involved in these visits to close to 50 public and private schools, where they provided skills training, talked to the students regarding leadership and being a professional sportsperson, the importance of leading an active lifestyle, as well as making presentations at award ceremonies.
The Sydney Kings have also engaged with a number of basketball associations during the season; and Conner Henry said the team was grateful to be able to contribute to the clubs in a wide range of activities.
"The associations and basketball organisations have been just great during the 2010-2011 season; and have invited our players to be part of a number of their special events, grand finals, junior training sessions, and presentation ceremonies.
"We have been all over the place. Bankstown, Hills District, City of Sydney, Norths, Hawkesbury, Central Coast, Penrith, Parramatta, St George, Sutherland, Wagga, to name a few. The Sydney Kings have also attended events run by Hoopsdreamz, Midnight Madness at Redfern, Mt Druitt, and Riverwood YMCAs, the Western Sydney Academy of Sport, and the Central Coast Academy of Sport.
Conner said that during the season, the Sydney Kings have donated over 20 Sydney Kings' Experience packs to different organisations for fundraising purposes, which included a family pass to a game, an opportunity to meet the players after game, and signed merchandise. He said that the players and coaches attended numerous events to proudly represent the Sydney Kings, including the Queensland Flood Appeals, Lung Foundation, RSPCA, Special Olympics, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Westmead Children’s Hospital, National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, Daffodil Day, and the Pink Ribbon Appeal.
"Looking back on our year, it is quite an achievement given our training and playing commitments; but we said we would spend time in the community and be accessible, and we achieved that goal," Conner said.
"Did we refuse autographs, photos or opportunities to lend a hand for those less fortunate? No, we did not. Did we try to make every moment special for fans? We sure hope so. Will we do more in 2011- 2012? Of course we will. There is always room for improvement and we plan to dedicate more time to community and development work across all of Sydney, he added.
Schools we visited during the 2010-2011 NBL season
Alexandria Park Community School, All Saints Grammar School, Belmore Arcadia Public School, Arthur Phillip High School, Barker College, Blacktown West Public School, Cabramatta High School, Cammeray School, Chifley College Bidwill Campus, Cranbrook, De La Salle College Ashfield, Denistone East, Erina High School, Fairfield West Public School, Glenhaven Public School, Hampden Park Public School, Holy Cross College, Holy Spirit Lakemba, Ironbark Public School, Katoomba North Public School, Kings School, Londonderry Public School, Loquat Valley Anglican Prep School, Mannix College, Marsden High School, Mosman High School, Newington College, Oakhill College, Parklea Public School, Patrician Brothers College Fairfield, Plunkett Public School, Rainbow Public School, Randwick Public School, Redfield College, Redlands Junior School, Roseville College, Saint Ignatius College Riverview, Santa Sabina College, St Michaels, St Aloysius College, St Andrews Primary School, Marayong, St Edwards College, St Fiacres Primary School Leichhardt, St Johns Primary Riverstone, St Josephs College, St Pius College Chatswood, Sydney Boys High, Waverley College.
