Wildcats’ double act Greg Hire and Damian Martin hit Shire of Gnowangerup with clinics and tips for local kids

About 70 children from Ongerup, Borden and Gnowangerup had their basketball dreams come true as former Perth Wildcats stars Greg Hire and Damian Martin conducted a series of clinics to inspire young people across the region.

The pair delivered five sessions over January 29 and 30 to participants aged from five to 21, with three clinics taking place in Gnowangerup and one apiece in Ongerup and Borden.

Beyond basketball skills, the athletes shared powerful messages about resilience, goal-setting, and perseverance, encouraging young people not to let living in a regional community limit their ambitions.

Following each clinic, both players stayed back to chat with participants, sign merchandise, take photos, and answer questions.

On the evening of January 29, the Gnowangerup community came together for an open mic event, giving residents the opportunity to ask questions and hear stories from the pair about their professional basketball careers.

Thanks to catering provided by the Roast & Brew Cafe, $810 was raised for St John WA’s Gnowangerup sub-centre.

The tour concluded on Friday night with a community barbecue in Borden, where participants were given an insight into the world of elite basketball.

The clinics and get-togethers were part of the Shire of Gnowangerup’s Youth Engagement Plan and supported by the WA Government through a community place-based sport and recreation grant.