Players who have played in previous
carnivals are invited to submit their thoughts and experiences on what Carnival
has meant to them. Carnival week is a unique and special week of sharing and
fellowship together with friends from other states.
If you would like to submit something to this page - Click Here.
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Nathan Cockram |
This year was my first carnival. I came to the
carnival for the basketball, and because I knew
a few people in Melbourne and thought it would be a good
opportunity to catch up with them. The head office of where I work
is also situated in Melbourne, so that was a
scheduled stop as well; to put faces to voices.
I was told the basketball would be good, I didn't expect it to
be as good as it was. Having been raised a Roman Catholic all my life, I currently don't attend church much (if at all), because I have always felt it was forced on me. I admit, I had apprehensions about the religious side of the carnival. I wasn't sure how much of it would be focused on God and religion. I wasn't sure how people would take me given that I don't actively practice my religion. I must say here that I haven't rejected God, but merely choose not to follow the rituals of Mass. I never expected to have as much fun as I had. The carnival was one of the best times I have had in my life. My fellow West Australians that attended are a bunch of legends. I would not have got to know them if I hadn't attended. They and the South Australians that were staying at The Basin (known forever now as "The Ranch") made excellent "housemates" for the week. I'm happy to say that this is my first carnival. It implies a second and third and so on. To all the big guys in Men's A grade, thanks. I've never felt so sore in my life. You guys were easily the best challenges I have had on a court for a long time now. the bruises are healing fine thanks (although my knee didn't look quite as bad as Dan Faber's - I guess I won that one). I look forward to seeing you all again next year. To everyone who attended, thankyou. For the acceptance, for the challenges, for the laughs - see the "orange mouthguard" photos in the "off the court" section. If anyone wants larger copies, send me an email - nathan_cockram@hotmail.com - but most of all for the friendships. For those of you who have not attended a carnival, but are thinking of attending a future carnival, do it. You will experience great basketball and will meet some exceptional people. You will also get to know the exceptional people you didn't realise you knew all along. |
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Ash |
Carnival Rhizzyme Running down the court I'm not 6'4" Sneakers on game hyped up tryina get warm Game's on in less than a minute gonna be a tough one innit Get nice n' set for the g-f No i dont have a deal with so so def This makes no sense now But don't have a cow Like the bartmans catch phrase We love the volunteers cos' their aint no pays How many are there? above fifteen? I don't think i'll ever work in the canteen serving players their lunch gettin impatient with their jock straps in a bunch Remember 40c cheesies those were the days off the heezy for sheezy ma neezy Word to hammertime's mother Vanilla ice was no brother neither is Marshall the one doin the cussin' n' all It seems to be more popular these days I'm hopin' its just a phase Unlike the carnival of hoops I've missed only two since '96, oops? Hope I'll see you all next year But for now I'll just remember the cheers.... Ash Schofield WA |
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Tim |
Just saying the words "Baptist Basketball Carnival"
remind me of some of the best times in my life. As a player, coach, chaplain and most importantly as a friend it brings back so many good times. Hours of laughing, sharing with one another, playing practical jokes, giving one another nicknames, performing for the team video or just sitting down and listening to someone share how Jesus Christ has impacted and changed their life. People ask me, "Do you have a favourite carnival?" My reply is , "No, not really, they all have played a special part in my life." The great thing about carnival is that you make friends for life not only people from your state but from all the states involved, 7 days hanging out with people who have the same interests as you. By the way in-between all of this we do play basketball!!!! |
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Jon |
‘Success is the ability to go from one failure to
another with Over the past 10 carnivals I have found this statement to essential to my involvement with the National Baptist Basketball Carnivals. It would be easy to come to carnival each year with the ‘win at all costs’ attitude but over the years I have learnt that carnival is more than winning. Carnival is the friends you make, the jokes you share, the support you give and the silly sayings you make up. In 1992 we walked around and gave you ‘word.’ It may have been ‘the word’, or ‘a word’ or even ‘word to ya mutha.’ To this day I am still not sure what it all meant. In Tasmania 2002 most of the South Australians had, ‘a black belt in keeping it real.’ The silly sayings and jokes have got better and worse over time but one thing has remained the same. God will make be present at carnival and all we need to do is seek him out and he will reveal himself in many ways. So make the most of the whole carnival both physically and spiritually, on and off the court. This will ensure that whether you win lose or draw you will experience success with no loss of enthusiasm.
Jon Dyer |
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Clayton |
If I was asked to sum up
carnival I reckon I could do it in 3 things (I probably wont do it
justice - but I can probably do it in 3!).
1.) Its about Basketball!
If you have never been before, expect to play good quality basketball
and grow as a basketballer. You get to play basketball all week - which
is great. And I feel on carnival that I am among my "own kind". (Not
everyone in my normal life understands my love for basketball - but on
carnival everyone does!).
2.) Its about fun!! If you
come back from carnival and you haven't had fun you were probably in a
coma all week. Either that or you didn't involve yourself enough. Get
to know people - perhaps you'll form a great long-lasting friendship,
perhaps it is just a friendship that you catch up with someone once a
year. Get involved in barracking for your team, get involved in wanting
to play great basketball. Just make sure you soak in the atmosphere of
carnival, it is something very, very unique.
3.) Its about finding out
about God!! Perhaps you don't want to find out more about God, perhaps
you do - but, whatever it may be you will learn a bit more about God!
What you do with your new knowledge about God is up to you. You can try
to ignore it and not taking anything to heart or you can at least think
about it and perhaps ask someone questions! Whatever you do, don't
leave carnival without asking someone a question about God or Jesus if
you have one. Jesus is not some strange guy in the sky - he wants to
know you more and he wants you to know him. Why not at least find out
if you want to know him or if you don't want to know him?
So they would be my 3 things
about carnival. Whether it is your first carnival, your fourth (like
me) or your 30th those 3 things will all be a part of your week (or
should be a part of your week!).
Slippers (Clayton Bjelan)
Victoria
PS - You need to have a
nickname - so there is really 4 things that make up carnival!
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Chris |
I attended my first
carnival in Perth 1992, where I went along to play a bit of basketball and
have some fun for the week. I attended church but didn't have a personal
relationship with God. As the week went along I listened to what the
speaker, Tom Randall, was saying and decided I needed to change one simple
part of my life. I went home and spoke to my Youth Group leader, after
which I decided to follow Jesus. Carnivals each year are such a great time
to spend with friends and meet new people and Perth 1992 definitely
changed my life.
Chris Hodge |
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