Hollow in cheek

Brandon brings the showtime

Gippsland United import Brandon Armstrong will join the team following a more than 100game NBA career.

Photo: Liam Durkin Liam Durkin

GIPPSLAND United has welcomed a major signing ahead of its inaugural season, with American import Brandon Armstrong joining the squad. The new kids on the block are set to benefit from having Armstrong in the line-up as Gippsland United looks to make its way in the BigV competition. Those looking after marketing at Gippsland United must also be excited about the prospect of having someone as famous as Armstrong now part of the club. If ever a club wanted to raise its profile, Armstrong would be the man to do it - he has 1.5 million Instragram followers and just as many on Facebook. His on court impersonations of NBA players on YouTube have gained widespread attention, with a number of videos attracting more than 10 million views - some even by the players being mimicked. An aspect that has possibly made the impersonations appear all the more realistic is the fact Armstrong has played at the top level himself. The now 41-year-old enjoyed a 108-game career in the NBA for the New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets after being taken by the Houston Rockets in the 2001 draft. The larger-than-life Armstrong has already dived into the local basketball scene, and was courtside to see Traralgon win the recent Country Basketball League grand final, coached by the man who helped bring him out to Australia in Reece Hamriding. “I’m excited to be here, my agent Reece said it’s the team for me, I hadn’t played ball in Australia for three years so I’m super excited,” he said. “Last time I was here was for Melbourne Uni, but I’m super excited to be here in Traralgon just because it’s more of a family community, Melbourne Uni was just a university so we really didn’t have that many people at the games, it was very empty, here it is a community, everybody knows everyone. “I like it, everyone is nice, I feel like I’ve already been here that’s how accepted I feel.” While on court results are yet to materialise, Gippsland United shouldn’t have any problem creating an inclusive and enjoyable environment thanks to Armstrong’s effervescent and upbeat personality. Sporting an infectious smile and using a range of somewhat forgotten slang words, it is clear the new recruit can hardly contain his excitement about lining up as point guard for Gippsland United. “Heck-yeah, first time they’ve had a team so I’m super excited and appreciate them for giving me an opportunity to show my skills,” he said. “The facility (Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium) is dope, second to none man! Looking forward to playing in the arena. “Basketball culture in Australia is super-sick, I mean it is super-dope, it is what everyone knows - basketball.” An interview with a former NBA player wouldn’t be complete without asking them to name drop a few people they have rubbed shoulders with, and Armstrong was happy to oblige. “I’m really good friends with Andre Drummond, Steph Curry is one of my good friends, Spencer Denwiddie, James Harden, I can go down the line, but mostly Andre Drummond and Torrey Craig,” he said. “My advice would be to keep playing, stay in the gym, keep your encouragement up and just work hard. “You see guys like Josh Giddey, Ben Simmons, Dante Exum, Patty Mills from Australia get a chance, there is plenty of opportunities. “America is definitely looking for Australian hopefuls.” As it prepares to make its debut in BigV, Gippsland United will be hoping Armstrong, along with women’s import Mackenzie Miller, will be able to help forge a new era of basketball in the region. If talking was a contest Armstrong would take some beating, but with the season now on the horizon, the new recruit will be eager to show that actions do indeed speak louder than words.

Slick Goannas continue on winning ways in vets cricket Kendall Cup brings soccer stars to Sale

THE Gippsland Goannas Over 60s cricket team travelled to East Bentleigh on Sunday, taking on a strong Australian Cricket Society side. Winning the toss and batting, ACS enjoyed a flying start, with openers Phil Morrey and one of the two Ian Gibson's in the match reaching no wicket for 40 off only five overs. The introduction of Neil Meredith, Kevin Lanigan, Murray Moore and Rino Metlikovec into the attack slowed the scoring, with a stumping to the Goannas’ Gibson and catches to Metlikovec, Peter Anton and Col Carmody. Metlikovec and Meredith took two wickets each and Anton one, as ACS reached the respectable total of 5/190 off 40 overs. Captain Ken Bailey and Rob Taylor opened the batting for the Goannas. Bailey smashed 41 off 22 balls before retiring with the score on 60 after six overs. In a remarkable display of power hitting, Bailey hit seven fours and a six to take the game away from ACS. Taylor made 25 retired, Lanigan 37 retired, Derek Morris 17 retired, Meredith 14, Gibson 14 not out and Ian Southall 14 not out. The Goannas reached 4/197 in 32 overs to win against a well-balanced ACS team. Strong partnerships dominated the innings, with 60 between Bailey and Taylor, 49 between Lanigan and Morris, and 21 at the end between Southall and Gibson. The next game for the Gippsland Goannas is a home game against Yarra Valley this Sunday at Bundalaguah. Training continues at Glengarry each Wednesday at 4.45pm. SALE United Football Club will be hosting its annual Kendall Cup Tournament this Saturday, February 26 at the Godfrey Baldwin Reserve, Sale. Fourteen teams will be in attendance with eight men’s teams and six women’s teams vying to be crowned champions, making it the biggest Kendall Cup since its inception back in 1991. Reigning men’s champions Bayside Argonauts are back and will be trying to win their third title in a row. Newcomers Sandown Lions FC, Leongatha SC and Inverloch SC are all looking at making the final while the 2021 runners-up, East Gippsland United FC are hoping to go that one step further. Past winners Fortuna 60 SC and Morwell Pegasus, who are the inaugural champions, have made a welcome return to the tournament while Sale United will be anticipating a memorable tournament with the inclusion of Jamie Kendall’s nephew Zach Kendall in the squad. Sale United lead a quality field of women’s teams with Bayside United NPL U19s, Fortuna 60, East Gippsland United FC, Tyers Lightning SC and Leongatha SC all pushing to make the finals. Games kick off at 8:30am with the women’s final being held at 6pm and the men’s at 7pm followed by the presentations of awards immediately after. Sale men’s coach Anouk Meereboer is looking forward to the tournament, especially having teams come from all different leagues to compete. “This will be the first real prize that Sale United FC will be fighting for and I'm keen after having been in preseason for the last month to see what the guys can put on the pitch," she said. “Hopefully it will be a great day for all teams and a great showcase for what the club is about this year.” Sale women's coach Madelaine Breakspear is confident her squad will put on a good show for the crowd. “I’m expecting the girls to be competitive in the cup. We’ve been working hard at preseason with fitness, getting to know everyone and refining our style of play,” she said. “The past two years has seen the team bring home a champions and runners-up trophy so we are looking at continuing to be successful at Kendall Cup.” Spectator entry is free for all Wellington Shire locals, but everyone is reminded to follow the COVID guidelines.

Sale United will be looking to continue its strong recent record at the Kendall Cup.

Contributed

KENDALL CUP DRAW

At Sale United Football Club, Saturday, February 26. Teams listed first to play on main pitch 8.30am Sale United v Tyers Lightning Fortuna 60 v Bayside United

9.15am 10am Fortuna 60 v Morwell Pegasus Bayside Argonauts

Sale United v Inverloch Sandown Lions v Leongatha

10.45am East Gippsland United v Fortuna 60 Leongatha v Sale United

11.30am Bayside Argonauts v Sale United East Gippsland v Inverloch

12.15pm Sandown Lions v Fortuna 60 Leongatha v Morwell Peagasus

1pm 1.45pm 2.30pm Tyers Lightning v Leongatha East Gippsland v Sale United Bayside United v East Gippsland Inverloch v Bayside Argonauts Women’s play-offs

3.15pm 4pm Fortuna 60 v Leongatha Morwell Pegasus v Sandown Women’s semi-final