Could this be the Last Time for these Guys to Carry the Torch!
- Aug 10, 2016
- 2 min read
Last year it was Verle Williams Jnr and Verle Williams Snr making history for the Pirates as the first to have a father and son on a QBL roster. This year, while they can not be on the same roster, for obvious reasons, father and daughter duo, Shaun and Ali Guy have taken the torch from the Williams and carried on the Pirate family tradition.
Shaun has been a main sail of the Pirate Ship on and off the court. His involvement extends far beyond the lines of the the number one court at Hibiscus Sports Centre on QBL game nights. The roles he performs off the court have matched his achievements on the court. A leader and contributor at every level. His playing resume has been impressive. The man affectionately known as "Stix" (a reference to his legs as a youngster) played for the Brisbane Bullets in the glory years of the NBL in the late 80's. He played college basketball in the USA and has been a regular fixture in the Pirates QBL roster over the last few years after reigniting his passion for the game at a time when most players have long been retired from elite level basketball. He is the oldest player in the QBL and is still able to give his team quality minutes. He never misses a training and gives his all at every session.
What makes his on court contribution even more amazing is what he manages to do for the Association off the court! Shaun has been involved in the management of affiliated South West club, the River City Hornets in various roles and coaches junior Hornets teams. At Association level he has filled in various roles one being the current Vice President of the Association and numerous other sub committees. If there is something that you have noticed that has been done efficiently in recent years, then there is a fair chance Shaun had something to do with it. Shaun also finds the time to coach a junior representative team.
The apple does not fall far from the tree and Ali Guy has already started to write her own resume in the sport. Ali was a member of the Pirate's all conquering U16 girls team that dominated the Queensland State Championships this year to win the gold medal. After her rep team commitments Ali joined the Pirates SBL team as one of its youngest players.
The game this Saturday night at the "Ship", the knock out quarter final against Logan, maybe Shaun's last game as he has announced his retirement from QBL. We all hope that he has at least four more games left. The QBL quarter final, the semi final and at least two in the best of three QBL grand final.
The Association has nominated Shaun for the "Phillips Sports Dad of the Year" so get down to the "Ship" on Saturday and help "Stix" celebrate a great career and even greater contribution to our club!
And hopefully a win!
