WHEN the Willetton Tigers run out on to the court on Wednesday afternoon, they will have something more than club pride and a tilt at a championship to play for.
Whether in the locker room, on the playing field or in the bleachers, analogies are often made linking sport and battle.
But for those playing on Anzac Day, it is a chance to truly honour those who risked their lives in war.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWWilletton forward Daniel Casey said it was “quite a harrowing, shocking thought” to think most of those who enlisted were no older than some of his teammates.
“Guys like Mikey Collins and Lachlan Evans are 19 to 21, kids that I take on a mentoring role for and people that I feel are like my little brothers,” he said.
“To think about guys like that who were off in these horrendous situations, it makes it very real.
“I’m just so grateful on the day that I get to play basketball with my best friends and I’m safe and not afraid of being hurt – we owe a lot of that to our service men and women.”
Women’s WSBL teammates Carla Drennan and Leah Cotton have two very different ties to Anzac Day, but they both agree it will be special to play on Wednesday.
“For me it’s about respecting and acknowledging the service men and service women of Australia and it’s a huge honour to be involved in an event that pays tribute to our Anzacs and recognises the sacrifices they’ve made,” Drennan said.
For American import Cotton, it will be the first time she will experience Anzac Day commemorations.
“Being from America, I am not very familiar with Anzac Day,” she said.
“However, it is always an honour to show respect to veterans who have served.”
Willetton Tigers will take on Kalamunda at the Willetton Basketball Stadium on Wednesday.
Tip off for the women is at 1pm, with the men to follow at 3pm.
MORE: Aged care staff to receive mandatory flu vaccinations to combat influenza outbreaks
MORE: Metronet: State Govt announces tender for 41 trains over next decade