Tara Murray
When you picture the Hume City Broncos, you picture Shaun Prendergast.
A mainstay of the Broncos side, Prendergast on Saturday played his 300th Big V game, all with the Broncos.
Having first come to the Broadmeadows Basketball Association in under-16s, the association and the Broncos has become his second home.
“I was thinking about it this week,” Prendergast said in the lead up to the game. “I got to Broadmeadows in bottom age under-16 boys and I’ve been there for 20 years.
“It feels good, but it means I’m a bit older. I’m obviously proud to get there with one club as well.
“I played juniors there and worked through the ranks.”
Prendergast said he had never really thought about playing 300 games with the Broncos, he just kept coming back season after season.
He said there had been no thoughts of ever stepping away, as he continued to enjoy the challenge.
That was even after rupturing his achilles last year, which required surgery
“I always had in my mind I wanted to go back out there and play,” he said.
“I always had in my mind that I wanted to go out there and still prove I could play.
“The body is still good after coming back, so I’ve put no date on my career. If I’m still required I’m keen to keep playing.”
Prendergast’s career has continued to progress, he has taken on different roles. He’s been captain of the side the last couple of years, plus he’s taken on some coaching roles.
“The last couple of years I’ve been captain,” he said. “It’s a different role for me, as I’m not really outspoken.
“I’ve coached at Broadmeadows for the last six years as well.
“A few of those kids are playing youth league and some have suited up for champ. I already have a relationship with them and I’ve enjoyed guiding them the right way.”
Prendergast is yet to taste championship success, with the closest coming in 2019 when the side made the championship division grand final series, but has won a few individual awards.
He has played with some of the biggest names in Hume’s history.
“I’ve been coached by Lanard Copeland who is an NBL legend,” he said. “I’ve played with Damon Lowery who is an NBL legend.
“I spent a lot of time with Jermaine Maybank and Jamal Brown, they were a solid fixture in the team for eight-nine years. I had a good bond with them and I’m still in contact with them.
“In the early days there was Greg Smith and Mike Spears. The experience they have had it was good to learn from them.”
Prendergast is focused on trying to get the Broncos side into another finals series and further.
Entering the weekend’s matches, the side was sitting in fourh after a slow start.
“We’re still trying to find our game as such,” he said.
“We’ve had a rough start with a couple of players injuried. We’re starting to get the team back and starting to build.”
