Ed Space
The atmosphere for the Illawarra Hawks end of season dinner on Wednesday night was incredible. As the kids would say, "it was a vibe".
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Coming off the remarkable season the club had, falling just short of a grand final appearance, that's perhaps to be expected.
Yet if you had been to the last couple of Hawks' end of season dinners and you were attuned enough to what was going on, you'd notice a marked difference. The last couple of dinners before this year's were, let's just say, a little uncomfortable in parts.
Why? A combination of reasons tied up with the previous ownership, which put the club into administration last year.
Yet this year, there was a completely different feel and in fact it was the same at the club's season launch even, both held at the Novotel, before the season started.
The event was relaxed, comfortable, jovial and there was a genuine sense of community in the room.
The winner of the club's community award, fan favourite Timmy Coenraad, reflected that with an incredibly heartfelt and word-perfect speech clearly explaining what the club and the relationship with its fans meant to him.
Coach Brian Goorjian, who captured the hearts of the Illawarra fan base this season, spoke typically from the heart and certainly gave the strong impression he's not going anywhere.
He has another year on his contract and spoke with genuine love about being a part of this community.
The man who is arguably the greatest coach in Australian basketball history, loves getting out and about around town.
Yesterday afternoon it was no surprise to see "Goorj" and his right hand man and assistant coach Jacob Jackomas having a coffee at the local coffee shop, no doubt planning the next step of the Hawks as well as the Australian Boomers, which Goorjian will lead in Tokyo in a few weeks time.
Also on Wednesday night , club president and co-owner Dorry Korhadi spoke openly and honestly with the gathering as he's done all season.
This when the fan base heard little to nothing from owners in previous years.
It gives a strong sense to fans, finally, that a term like #ALLINIllawarra might not just be a catchy hashtag.
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Julian O'Brien
Editor of the Illawarra Mercury and former editor of The Advocate (North-West Tasmania). Journalism is simply about telling good stories well and we do so now across a broader platform than ever before. Our role as a regional masthead is to not only share the stories our readers care about but to be a passionate torch bearers for community at every opportunity. We are stronger together.
Editor of the Illawarra Mercury and former editor of The Advocate (North-West Tasmania). Journalism is simply about telling good stories well and we do so now across a broader platform than ever before. Our role as a regional masthead is to not only share the stories our readers care about but to be a passionate torch bearers for community at every opportunity. We are stronger together.
