Heritage Round -Hawks Past Player Ryan Gardiner
As part of Heritage round we are looking through our Hawks history and asked former Hawks SBL Championship player and Perth Wildcat Ryan Gardiner to give us some insights on playing for the Hawks. Ryan played 210 games for the Hawks and was a member of the 1994 and 2001 Men’s Championship team. He was also named as point guard in the 25 year MSBL All-Star Team.
When did you start playing and what made you get interested in Basketball?
I started playing when I was 12 years old. I wasn’t allowed to start any earlier by my parents and mini ball was very new. I played all my Juniors with the City Beach Basketball Club at the old Perry Lakes.
How old were you when you started playing SBL?
I played my first SBL game at 17 years of age. In those days we weren’t allowed to play until we finished High School, but CJ Bruton and myself snuck a couple of late season SBL games late in the season. I remember it was against the Swan Mustangs out in Midland. It was pretty exciting playing against, the Ellis brothers for the first time.
What were your SBL career highlights?
- Our first championship in 1994
- Championship in 2001
- Being named in the all 25 year SBL team
- The team with whom I formed such close relationships and still have and having my brothers, father and mother ( worked the SBL score bench for so many years) so heavily involved with a club
What is your fondest memory playing for the Hawks?
How we had such success over so many years, with players who played for the love and not money. My years with the Hawks helped mold the values and work ethic that I hopefully display as an adult both privately and professionally. Being a Perry Lakes Hawks player gave me the opportunities I had as Perth Wildcats player, winning an NBL Championship as a player and a General Manager and provided opportunity for me to travel to many parts of the world with the sport.
Who was your most influential coach whilst at the Hawks?
My Father John Gardiner. he shaped mine and many players lives over many years as a coach. There are times when having your father as a coach can be viewed in many different ways, but I can honestly say, having the Gardiner name as a surname meant generally you were coached even harder by your father, something I would never wanted to have changed. My brothers Aaron and Heath ( whose career was cut short due to breaking his leg during a game and gave me an opportunity earlier that I may have usually had), we didn’t get the easy path to court time and opportunity for success, it had to be earnt through the way we performed.
I also have to mention our assistant coaches, who had a similar impact, notably Craig Clatworthy. Craig was always there for advice, a word in the ear, particularly when you have just been given some strong advice from the head coach about something you may have just done wrong.
What advice or tips do you have for our current Hawks who are starting the SBL journey?
Do it for the club and your team. Throughout the 90’s and into the 2000’s we had a core group of players that never really changed. We played for each other, our coaches and the club, something that should never change. Playing for the Perry Lakes Hawks, gave me the best grounding and opportunity both on and off the basketball court.
Take the opportunities that you are given and do not take for granted the pathways the Hawks can provide you as a player and a person and do your time, listen to the advice from your senior players and coaches. Playing at the highest level in the state is something that only a handful of people get to do, so value it.
