vales club awards
In honour of inspirational past players and significant contributors the Vales Basketball Club has three prestigious Awards to recognise Juniors, Coaches and Club members.
John Neal Most Promising Junior Award - MALE
The "John Neal Most Promising Junior Award": This award is in memory of a talented Vales player John Neal who was a dedicated, young sportsman. Sadly John was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident in 1973 at the age of 18 years. The John Neal Award was introduced in 1981 to the most promising Vales junior (under 20) recognising the following trademarks on and off the court:
- Playing skills
- Improving skills at training
- Involvement as a team and club person
- Respect to coach, players, referees, opposition & parents
- Pride and dignity when representing Springvale Basketball Club.
Michelle Gubbels Most Promising Junior Award - FEMALE Award
Michelle, represented Vales Basketball Club (Springvale YCW) throughout her junior domestic years with many successful seasons. I also represented Dandenong Rangers in the VJBL. MichelIe played for Vic Metro 4 times (3 gold, 1 silver medal), gained a scholarship to COE (AIS), won a bronze medal with the U/21 Australian team at the World Championships in Spain.
Michelle played WNBL for the AIS, Nunawading Spectres and Dandenong Rangers, playing in the World Club Championships in Brazil in 1991. In 2017 she was named in the Top 25 players in 25 Years for WNBL Dandenong Rangers.
Michelle is still involved with basketball on a variety of levels and commentates for the Melbourne Boomers in the WNBL. She was assistant coach for Victoria Metro White U/20 women at Nationals in Canberra and assistant coach for Nunawading Spectres in NBL1.
Michelle’s passion for fitness continued and is a Bikram Yoga teacher and a Power HIIT Hot Pilates teacher. Michelle I currently teach at Hot House Yoga & Pilates in Eltham and is also a qualified Remedial Massage Therapist and qualified Primary School Teacher.
Michelle has also been named 2021 Bulleen Templestowe Head Coach of Youth League One Women’s squad.
Inglis-Monaghan Coaching Award
The "Inglis-Monaghan" Coaching Award was set up in 1996 to honour two members Bil Inglis and Dan Monaghan.
Through the 1970's to the 1990's Vales had junior teams in every age division, girls and boys. This was largely to to the tireless work of two committed senior players Bill and Dan who coached almost every junior team between them at one stage or another.
Obviously there were other coaches, but these two made the major contribution over the longest period of time. The knew the opportunities they had been given as juniors at the Vales and wanted to give back and provides others the change to play basketball and be part of the family Vales Club.
David Jones Memorial Shield Volunteer Award
Like the John Neal Award, the "David Jones Memorial Shield" was coined by the Club as a posthumous tribute to a young member who was tragically taken at the age of 19 years.
David Jones was a character of the Club and a true "sportsman" on and off the court. Joining the Vales as a junior he soon progressed into senior ranks.
David was respected and admired by his peers be it in Senior or Junior competitions. David enjoyed playing basketball and loved the Club culture always welcoming new members. David had a wide circle of family and friends who appreciated his honesty and enthusiasm, and love for sport and the Club.
John Neal Most Promising Junior Award - MALE
The "John Neal Most Promising Junior Award": This award is in memory of a talented Vales player John Neal who was a dedicated, young sportsman. Sadly John was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident in 1973 at the age of 18 years. The John Neal Award was introduced in 1981 to the most promising Vales junior (under 20) recognising the following trademarks on and off the court:
- Playing skills
- Improving skills at training
- Involvement as a team and club person
- Respect to coach, players, referees, opposition & parents
- Pride and dignity when representing Springvale Basketball Club.
Michelle Gubbels Most Promising Junior Award - FEMALE Award
Michelle, represented Vales Basketball Club (Springvale YCW) throughout her junior domestic years with many successful seasons. I also represented Dandenong Rangers in the VJBL. MichelIe played for Vic Metro 4 times (3 gold, 1 silver medal), gained a scholarship to COE (AIS), won a bronze medal with the U/21 Australian team at the World Championships in Spain.
Michelle played WNBL for the AIS, Nunawading Spectres and Dandenong Rangers, playing in the World Club Championships in Brazil in 1991. In 2017 she was named in the Top 25 players in 25 Years for WNBL Dandenong Rangers.
Michelle is still involved with basketball on a variety of levels and commentates for the Melbourne Boomers in the WNBL. She was assistant coach for Victoria Metro White U/20 women at Nationals in Canberra and assistant coach for Nunawading Spectres in NBL1.
Michelle’s passion for fitness continued and is a Bikram Yoga teacher and a Power HIIT Hot Pilates teacher. Michelle I currently teach at Hot House Yoga & Pilates in Eltham and is also a qualified Remedial Massage Therapist and qualified Primary School Teacher.
Michelle has also been named 2021 Bulleen Templestowe Head Coach of Youth League One Women’s squad.
Inglis-Monaghan Coaching Award
The "Inglis-Monaghan" Coaching Award was set up in 1996 to honour two members Bil Inglis and Dan Monaghan.
Through the 1970's to the 1990's Vales had junior teams in every age division, girls and boys. This was largely to to the tireless work of two committed senior players Bill and Dan who coached almost every junior team between them at one stage or another.
Obviously there were other coaches, but these two made the major contribution over the longest period of time. The knew the opportunities they had been given as juniors at the Vales and wanted to give back and provides others the change to play basketball and be part of the family Vales Club.
David Jones Memorial Shield Volunteer Award
Like the John Neal Award, the "David Jones Memorial Shield" was coined by the Club as a posthumous tribute to a young member who was tragically taken at the age of 19 years.
David Jones was a character of the Club and a true "sportsman" on and off the court. Joining the Vales as a junior he soon progressed into senior ranks.
David was respected and admired by his peers be it in Senior or Junior competitions. David enjoyed playing basketball and loved the Club culture always welcoming new members. David had a wide circle of family and friends who appreciated his honesty and enthusiasm, and love for sport and the Club.