When Cam Archer ran out for his NBL debut in the final minutes of the Southland Sharks game against the Giants a couple of weeks ago, he tried to pretend it was just another game of basketball. 

But it wasn’t. 

When you are a development member of a team you’ve grown up dreaming of playing for, the chance to leap from the pine and out onto the boards, especially on ILT Stadium Southland’s center court, is a golden one. 

“I played two or three minutes, but that’s plenty for me, I loved it,” the James Hargest College Year 13 student said. 

“I think it was probably more special for Mum than for me, she was probably more excited than I was. When you’ve grown up watching them and then you get to play for them, it’s pretty special. I tried not to be nervous, but it’s not really just another basketball game. I just tried to do my role the best I could.” 

The SBS Bank Academy Southland athlete is one of two development players included in the Sharks squad for the 2021 NBL season. 

A Southland under 19 representative, Cam regularly works out with the team during the week, taking a break from his morning studies to attend trainings and then returning to school. 

Both the Sharks and James Hargest College had been accommodating and supportive of his dual schedule, Cam said.  

“They let me choose the days that I want to train, which is usually two or three times a week. I get 10am to 12pm off school, it’s just about communication and keeping both parties happy,” he said. 

“You have to be a bit more responsible with your food, your timing and your communication. It was a bit of a change, but I think I’ve handled it pretty well, keeping on top of school and basketball.” 

SBS Bank Academy Southland has also provided support, Cam said. 

“They worked with me right from the start with load management, because I’ve got Hargest and Southland and Sharks trainings and games. They didn’t want me to fizzle out and not be able to perform at my highest level so they helped me work with my coaches around my timings and what trainings I needed to be at, and which ones I didn’t. They helped me a lot with that stuff.” 

Cam was appreciative for the advice and mentoring he’s had over the years, including from former Southland Basketball Assocation development officer Dan Peck, and, more latterly, Leyton Haddleton. 

Sharks coach Rob Beveridge has also had a significant impact this season. 

“Bevo has been great. He’s had 30 years of coaching or something like that, so he knows his stuff. He’s been good off the court, on the court, with school – he's been great really.” 

Cam is still surveying his options for next year. Heading to Dunedin and attending Otago University is appealing, but so is staying in Invercargill and the Sharks system. Heading to the United States is also an option, although the current state of the world means that comes with its own challenges. 

For now the 190cm point guard is happy being the rookie, soaking it up and waiting for another chance to get out onto center court. 

Article added: Saturday 12 June 2021