It’s an opportunity the VET Sport and Recreation students at Echuca College had recently thanks to their teacher Emily Bongiovanni.
Mrs Bongiovanni’s cousin, Daniel Jones, is a physical performance coach with NBA team, the Brooklyn Nets.
And on October 30, the students were given an insight into Daniel’s world via a Zoom meeting.
“I’m really thankful Daniel gave up some of his time to speak to the kids,” Mrs Bongiovanni said.
“The students have been doing some physical modules which requires them to design and perform training programs.
“Those are all based on different sports and Daniel went above and beyond to help us out. A couple of the girls based their programs around dance and he actually went and did some research on the type of training required.”
On a daily basis, Daniel works with players including Melbourne-born point guard Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant – who is considered to be among the NBA’s top players.
His journey to America included time with VFL clubs North Ballarat and Werribee before earning employment with North Melbourne in the NFL after growing up in Bendigo.
“All of the kids were asking what it is like to work with Kyrie and Durant,” Mrs Bongiovanni said.
“We had a couple of the Year 12s come and sit in on the session because they’ve got a real keen interest in the NBA.
“Daniel told us all about his experience in the ‘bubble’ at Orlando where he was interacting with other NBA teams which doesn’t usually happen.
“I think it was a valuable lesson for the students to learn from someone who is working in a professional environment.
“It showed them there is a pathway for everyone even if you’re from a regional town.”
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