Most of Anthony Bowyer’s Friday nights in the past 10 years have been spent on the basketball court.
He first represented Melton in the Victorian Junior Basketball League competition as a nine year old, and has made his way through the age groups.
Now 19, Bowyer finished up his VJBL career on Friday night when the under-20 side’s finals campaign came to an end.
“It’s a good achievement,” he said of making the Melton representative team 10 years in a row.
“A lot of things have changed from then to now – the way the game is played and the pace of the game. It has got a lot faster.”
Bowyer said the friendships he’d made with teammates, coaches and opposition players were one of the reasons he kept coming back.
He said there were times he doubted that he would make the Melton VJBL team, with players from other local clubs trying out to make the team.
Not only has he been representing the Thoroughbreds in the VJBL, he still plays domestically, while also coaching and umpiring.
“It’s like a big family with the basketball community in Melton,” he said. “My family has been involved as well.”
While his VJBL days are coming to an end, his time with the club’s Big V program is only just starting.
He’s part of the Thoroughbreds’ youth league side and this year made his debut for the senior team.
“Playing Big V has been a big jump,” he said. “In youth league, they are a lot bigger and older and have more skills.”
