Andrew Horstman, the Heart of the Geraldton Buccaneers

Andrew joined the Buccaneers in 2002 wearing two hats, as a player and in the position of Regional Development Officer. 

What began as a sea change and a return to her home town for his wife, turned into six years as a player for the Buccaneers and Geraldton becoming a home for Andrew and his family who’ve been there ever since.

Now volunteering for the club as General Manager, Geraldton Buccaneers president Peter Brown couldn’t be more complimentary of Andrew’s impact.

“A very friendly guy, very open guy, very genuine person. (He’s) willing to help out with anyone, just a great person to have around the club.” 

Peter spoke highly of how much of Andrew’s work happens quietly behind the scenes, yet is absolutely essential.

“He's been through a lot of roles, and he's (Andrew) very much a behind the scenes person. I think people see him around a lot, but probably don't see all the work that he does behind the scenes.”

“He is really working 12 months of the year recruiting. Does a huge job in the recruiting aspect. Dealing with all the people, the personalities, the complicated issues. A lot of what he does is unseen.”

“To be honest, I really worry about the day Andrew rings me and tells me he wants to retire because it'll take some big shoes to fill. It's a massive legacy.”

For Andrew, giving back to basketball was always a personal goal, a way to repay what the game gave him as a young man.

“Basketball was so good to me back in the early days. I gained so much confidence from the game of basketball.”

“I just love the Geraldton community and, and in particular the basketball community.”

More than just the sport itself, it's the connections and shared experiences that have meant the most to him. 

“The biggest standout is… the friendships that have been formed and made over those years. We've been groomsmen at each other's weddings. It's just been really special.”

Andrew is proud of how the Buccaneers help unite Geraldton in a way that transcends the game and brings people together.

“Basketball and many sports in Geraldton have the unique ability to be able to bring the community together and I think that's really special.”

“Buccs are really unique in the sense that it's the team that the whole community can get behind… it's the team for the town, the Geraldton Buccs are the Geraldton team.”

“The ability to be able to bring families together, from 12 months to, to 72 years. And they sit together and they watch. I think that's really special.”

“(The Geraldton community) are extremely loyal, and very generous. And they're more than happy to jump in and help out wherever they can… We just want to continue to foster that for as long as we can.”

Andrew Horstman’s legacy is one of service, passion, and connection and a representation of what happens when sport and community come together.