Last year it was sharp-shooter Dylan Wilkie flying the flag for our trans-Tasman cousins, with his charisma and passion for the squad making him a much-loved figure throughout the Shepparton community.
This season it is extroverted point guard Josh Kooiman filling the void, with the New Zealander already having a big impact three games into his career as a Gator.
Arriving in the 3630 four weeks ago, the Kiwi floor general said he was loving every minute of this exciting new chapter in his hoops journey.
“It’s awesome, I’m loving it so far,” he said.
“The town is a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be, the people are super friendly, it’s a super friendly environment and I have loved the basketball.
“The boys make you feel like you’re at home from the moment you get here, everyone is very sociable which I love and then on the court we have been gelling really well.
“It’s looking like it is going to be a good year.”
After an impressive junior career over the pond, this is Kooiman’s first foray into playing hoops in Australia, as he hopes to continue his rise up the ranks and forge a path into professional basketball.
When it came to securing this opportunity, Kooiman said it was his friendship with Wilkie that helped him land a spot in the Gators’ uniform.
“Dylan (Wilkie) was here last year and when he moved on the team was looking for a new Kiwi,” he said.
“So Dylan recommended me after I played a lot of high school basketball with him over in New Zealand, so for him to help me get this opportunity I am very grateful.”
While he is grateful to Wilkie for recommending him to the Gators’ brainstrust, the new import said his major goal for the season was to one-up his old friend and bring Big V division one championship success to the club.
“First things first, I want to win, I want to get a chip (championship) here,” he said.
“With the team coming into the season having come second last year, I really want to help the guys go that one step better.
“Being able to hold that over my boy Wilkie as well would be very sweet.”
As for what Gators fans can expect from Kooiman on the court this year, he described his play style as “intense”.
“I’m an intense player that likes to get the crowd involved at home and keep the crowd quiet at away games,” he said.
“I love to shoot the three, fans will notice that I like to get at least 10 up a game, and then I’m just trying to work on my defence and becoming a lockdown player on that side of the floor.
“I’ve heard we’ve got the best fans in the league and I hope that they enjoy the way I go about it.”
The Shepparton faithful will get an opportunity to see Kooiman and his Gators teammates in action this weekend, as they host a Chelsea side fresh off a stint in the championship division last season.
After suffering their first loss of the new campaign to Pakenham in the second leg of last weekend’s double-header, the Gators will be determined to turn the tide as they begin a four-match home stand.
Shepparton Gators will take on Chelsea this Saturday night with tip-off at 7pm at Shepparton Sports Stadium.
