Wildcats Association Series | Dan Gunson, South West Slammers

While players and coaches have come and gone, Gunson and his family have remained a driving force at the South West Slammers, volunteering countless hours to ensure the club continues to thrive both on and off the court.

It is that selfless commitment that has made him one of the most respected and valued volunteers within the South West Slammers community according to NBL1 Director Paul Craig.

"He and his family are amazing and never stop giving to our club," Craig said.

"From game night set-up and pack-down, running the bar, driving the bus, and organising liquor licences to being our games commissioner at all our home games. They are always the first family to put their hand up to be a host family for our imports.

"They never stop helping our local basketball community."

Gunson's journey with the Slammers began with an invitation to a game from his daughter, and soon turned into a lifelong connection with the club and the wider Bunbury basketball community.

"It started back in probably 2006 when I started joining the Slammers and joined the big basketball family of Bunbury," Gunson said.

"My daughter was friends with the chairperson at the time. They went to the game and watched, and then they said to us, 'Come sit in the corporate box.'

"We watched the game and that's where it started.

"They said, 'We've got a game next week, do you want to come?'

"We said, 'Yeah, all right, we'll come and help you set up.'"

From helping with game-day set-up and pack-down, Gunson gradually took on more responsibilities, eventually earning the role of Operations Coordinator.

"I started doing the liquor licensing, getting the bar licence and stuff, and then it's just progressed now to being the operations coordinator," he said.

"So that simple saying yes changes your life, I suppose."

Despite never having played basketball himself, Gunson found a place where his organisational skills could make a meaningful difference.

"I never actually played basketball in my life, but I think the organising and everything is my forte," he said.

"Just bringing your family together. If I can't do it, my family will step in and they'll help fill the void if there's ever something to be done."

One of the most rewarding aspects of the role has been opening his home to Slammers imports, a tradition his family has embraced for the past eight years.

"Probably our big highlight every year is hosting an import player," Gunson said.

"We've done that now for eight years and that's a great experience.

"Happy in the beginning, but when you get to Perth Airport that's the sad part when you say goodbye."

While much of Gunson's work happens behind the scenes, one of his proudest achievements came through advocating for young athletes to have opportunities to stay involved in the game.

Years ago, Gunson and a colleague fought to ensure a team remained in the pathway program rather than being cut, believing every player deserved the chance to develop.

"I've always looked at it as a pyramid," he said.

"You have lots of kids at the bottom and then that slowly gets to the top and you'll have only a select few.

"We were going to cull the team, and I thought you've got to give every kid a chance.

"They may not be great this year, but give them three years and they could be a superstar."

One of those players was Charlotte Mills, who progressed through the pathway system and now represents the Slammers at NBL1 level after returning from college basketball in the United States.

"She's gone through WABL and then she's actually just come back from college," Gunson said.

"She's one of my little proud stories, knowing that I helped her get where she was going. All because of that."

For all the hours spent volunteering, Gunson says it is the people who keep him coming back year after year.

"I just enjoy the family atmosphere," he said.

"It is one big family."

And while he has already contributed immeasurably to South West basketball, there is still one dream he hopes to see fulfilled.

"One day we're going to get a grand final. We're going to do it," he said.

"I'm hoping I'm around to get that flag and be there when they cut the net off the hoop and be a part of that.

"I'm looking forward to the big chant, and we're going to get there."