By Oliver Lees
A stalwart of the Macedon Ranges basketball scene has been honoured for his quarter century of service to the community.
Former Macedon Ranges Basketball Association (MRBA) player, president and coach Michael Grantham was announced as a recipient of the Silver Service Award as part of Basketball Victoria’s 2020 Awards announcement.
Former MRBA president Megan Condron said Grantham deserved to be showered in praise.
“He’s incredible, such a humble person, and also very respectful of everyone having their own individual journeys,” Condron said.
“When I was president, it was a time of enormous growth and Michael was an important support for me.
“To have someone with that knowledge to help me figure my way through was really valuable.
“He’s a doer, always in the community doing things without wanting any fanfare. It’s fitting that he’s recognised.”
Across 25 years of service, Grantham has been involved in laying the foundation for a number of the MRBA’s programs.
In 2001, while still president of the club, Grantham assembled the MRBA’s first representative squad to compete at the Basketball Victoria Country Championships.
The MRBA celebrated their first country championship after the under-14 boy’s squad took out the division 1 title earlier this year.
For the past 13 years Grantham has been running an inclusive basketball program every Sunday.
Condron said the program was indicative of his character.
“It’s just gorgeous, he’s out there every Sunday, volunteering his time so that others can be involved in basketball,” she said.
Grantham said the community had been showing their gratitude.
“The messages I’ve received from the community this week have been very much appreciated,” he said.
“It’s a very long time do anything, I started getting involved here as a player and then my kids played too.”
Grantham was also involved in creating the early feasibility study for the expansion of basketball facilities in the Macedon Ranges, which has snowballed into a larger push for a new regional sports hub in the area.
“Back when my kids were coming through the system, we couldn’t get enough court time to schedule all the games, basketball was too popular,” he said.
Grantham said his reason for sticking with the club for so long was simple.
“It’s the people,” he said.
“Being in this community for thirty years, helping people that are less fortunate becomes your lifestyle and it’s very rewarding.”
