Posted on 8 March, 2012

The event had over 60 people in attendance including Shire of Yarra Ranges Cr. Len Cox, CEO of Basketball Victoria Wayne Bird, Jan Bartley of Swinburne University Lilydale, as well as members of the Kilsyth Board, life members, players, coaches, officials and supporters.

Jane Bartley of Swinburne Lilydale and Kilsyth Basketball President, Malcolm Allison, presented the Swinburne Lady Cobras with their singlets, and guard Chantella Perera was named the team captain. New coach, Peter Gay, spoke a few words about the upcoming season.

“I am looking forward to my first season as Head Coach at the SEABL level. With an up and coming roster I am excited about the possibilities the 2012 season holds.”

 CEO of Basketball Victoria Wayne Bird and Cr. Len Cox presented the men with their singlets on the night, with quiet achiever Matt O’Hea named as team captain of the 2012 season. Coach Grant Wallace spoke about taking the next step forward in season 2012 and progressing past the Preliminary Final.

“We are really excited by the Cobras roster we have, and know it is a competitive SEABL season ahead with every club bolstering their rosters. We are preparing well for our season opener against Mt. Gambier.”

Kilsyth also welcomed new members to their 2012 teams. The women welcomed to the team Kristen Barnes from Sydney Flames, Player/Assistant Coach Chelsea Burns from Dandenong Rangers and welcomed back former Kilsyth Championship player Sarah Parsons after a two season absence from the Club. The Ladies also added Brittany Renton and Kate Caulfield who have worked hard and have been promoted from the Cobras Development League team.

The men welcomed Blackburn Vikings championship player and Kilsyth Junior Matt Cromarty along with new import Garfield Blair from Stetson University in the U.S.  Promoted from the Cobras Development League team were young guns Adam Knott, Kieran Murphy and Aaron Reinbott to the 2012 roster, a credit to the hard work they have put in over the past few seasons.

The night concluded with Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras big man Auryn Macmillan shaving his long luscious locks to raise money for Leukaemia by taking part in “The World’s Greatest Shave.” Kilsyth Life Member and former hairdresser Daryll “Coops” Cooper had the honour of the shave.

“I think that The World’s Greatest Shave is a great cause and given that I have a full head of controversially long and luxurious hippy hair, it’s about time I got a haircut, so why not have it do some real benefit in the world. The shave raised approximately $1,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation, and has given me a new look for the 2012 SEABL season”

The Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras will kick of their 2012 Season at home taking on the Mt Gambier Pioneers on Hugh McMenamin Court, Sunday March 18 at 2pm. While the first double header will be Saturday 24 March against Ballarat on Hugh McMenamin Court, the women tip of at 6.15pm and the men tip off at 8.15pm.