Basketball has long been a part of David Hughes’s life for nearly years.
He started at the age of 12 and since then has played, umpired, coached and been part of the action behind the scenes.
Last Tuesday night, Basketball Victoria recognised his contribution to the game and awarded him the Allan Ashe Memorial Award for Volunteer of the Year.
“It was a bit of surprise,” Hughes said of the award.
“I was asked by people at Whittlesea about my involvement in basketball and I thought I might be getting a duration award.
“I wasn’t expecting anything like this. It’s nice to be appreciated by the association and Basketball Victoria.”
Hughes started out at Coburg Basketball Association and by his late teens was already involved behind the scenes.
He stayed there until the Coburg Stadium burnt down, before a move to Perth for work.
He later returned to Coburg, before an opportunity arose at Whittlesea that was too good to refuse.
“I was part of the initial setup of the Mill Park Stadium 20 years ago,” Hughes said.
“They approached me to help with the umpires. I was chairman of the referees association for only a short stint.
“The stadium chairman and the association chairman were the same person, so they needed someone to become chairman of the association.”
Since then he has also been vice-chairman and treasurer and is currently in his second stint as association chairman.
As well as chairman he has been involved as an assistant coach in the Big V program.
“I love the sport and have played since I was 12,” Hughes said. “My wife and kids have also played, coached and umpired.
“We’ve built a lot of friendships and it’s been a great place for us. A lot of people have left the association and we remain friends.”
As they live not far from the stadium, the association has become a second home to Hughes and his family.
Wife Pam is currently programs manager and, like her husband, is a life member of the club.
Daughter Sharyn is part of the women’s Big V side and recently played her 200th match, while one son, Brendan, is part of the men’s Big V side.
Another son, Paul, coaches the Pacers’ men youth league side which won the Division 1 title last year.
His other son, Matthew, played for the Pacers before coaching at Diamond Valley and Eltham.
Hughes said the hard work was worth it, seeing how far the association had come in such a short period.
“Stepping up to state championship division with both sides is a terrific story for such a young association,” he said.
“We’ve seen the association grow from 50-odd sides to 400 teams.”
