Brad Kinross, a leading hand in Bedford Manufacturing at Panorama, is heading off to the city of Vichy in France to compete in the Virtus Global Games on June 4 to 10!
Brad, now 30, couldn’t have imagined where his basketball might take him when he started playing at 9 years old. His older sister played basketball, and he followed in her footsteps and took up with the school team.
Fast forward, and Brad has been at the top of his game now for several years, playing at a national level for the Australian Boomerangs! This will be Brad’s seventh year competing in international tournaments, and the Boomerangs have brought home a gold and a silver during his tenure.
When asked who his favourite player and team are, Brad says, without hesitation, “Kobe Bryant and the Lakers… Kobe had an amazing skill-set.” Brad has spent many hours watching video footage of Kobe’s form, in an effort to pick up some of those skills for his own game.
Over the past year, the dozen Boomerang players travel from all points around Australia each month for training camp in Melbourne. These regular meet-ups help them stay in touch with the team, and ensure they’re playing like a well-oiled machine - and ready to compete in France!
Between Melbourne visits, each of the players keep their game up by playing in their respective local leagues. For Brad, that means putting on the double blue uniform for the Sturt Sabres in the District Competition.
When too much basketball just isn’t enough, Brad spends his Monday nights coaching the Bearcats – a team of young adults who are at the top of the ladder in the Disability Competition. “Teaching and coaching is my favourite thing about basketball,” Brad tells us. On Saturday’s Brad switches codes to Aussie Rules, and plays for the Kenilworth Football Club. He is the captain of the team.
During the week, Brad oversees a Manufacturing team who make Bunnings flatpacks. Brad enjoys helping his team get their skill level up, and is clearly comfortable in that leadership and coaching role.
We asked if Brad had any advice for others who would like to lead or coach, (or even excel in their chosen sport), and he said “Just be confident in yourself, that’s half the battle.”
All the very best in Vichy this year Brad, you go with all our best wishes!
