Jake Harris (15-Fremantle)
Camera IconJake Harris (15-Fremantle) Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey

Jake a true believer in ideal of giving back

Staff ReporterFremantle Gazette

The 15-year-old, who coaches an U14 Spearwood Hawks team at the Cockburn Basketball Association, acts assistant coach for the U13 Boys Cockburn Cougars and the CBC Fremantle junior team, has his hands full with the sport he lives and breathes. His commitment has earned him a nomination in the Ultimate Volunteer Reward competition.

Jake said he started coaching at the age of 13 and had progressed up the divisions with the same group of boys.

Starting with a group of young boys, Jake says he still coaches the same group and that they all shared a strong bond and love for the game.

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‘I had always gotten on well with younger kids and decided to try coaching and help to develop kids so they could live the game as much as me.

‘I’ve worked hard, and also through help from my family and people at the stadium, I was selected to be in the State U16’s basketball team last year and got to travel interstate to represent WA, so basketball has given me a lot of opportunities as well.’

He said there were many reasons why he gave up so much of his time volunteering in the sport.

‘Other people who were volunteers taught me about basketball and being good in the community and the whole stadium pretty much runs on volunteers, so I’m taking it on too and it is rewarding to be helpful,’ he said.

‘Without volunteers the development of young players who aspire to learn the game would be very little and without a young developed youth it would mean no future’.

Nomination deadline has been extended to March 7.

Visit www.dsr.wa.gov.au.