Shawn & Dylan Redhage: Like Father, Like Son

Now, his son Dylan is beginning his own Wildcats journey, joining the Wildcats Academy development program this season.

For Shawn, seeing his son pull on a Wildcats jersey has been a special moment.

“That was a little surreal. He's kind of grown up watching the Wildcats, only a few years ago he was sitting up in the stands watching. And now he's pulling on a Wildcats jersey and playing for the academy.”

“It’s a proud moment and a fun moment as well, just to sit back and see him going up against some of the best players here in the state.”

“In just the few months that he's been a part of the academy, his growth and his confidence and his play out on the court has been fun to see.”

“I think it's a pretty unique opportunity… it's awesome that the Wildcats have thrown the resources into it (Wildcats Academy) and it’s really impacting junior basketball.”

With Shawn Redhage as his dad, Dylan has been surrounded by basketball for as long as he can remember.

“It's been pretty good. Seems pretty normal to me.”

“He's been able to help me along the way and teach me a lot of new stuff.”

At just 14 years old, he’s one of the youngest members of the program and going up against older and more physically developed players has already helped him improve.

“Being part of the Wildcats academy, it's really helped since I'm one of the younger guys and a lot smaller, to help me get more physical and learn to play more physically.”

“That's really helped in my WABL games.”

Shawn said it’d been quite the journey watching his son fall in love with the game that gave him so much.

“To see him as a 7/8 year old pick up the basketball, playing in the Perry Lakes Hawks domestic competition and then kind of worked his way through”

“I think it’s his sixth year now. It's been fun to see that progression and see him fall in love with the game as I did as a young child as well.”

After finishing up in the NBL, Shawn continued to stay involved with the game, including a stint in NBL1 West and a season playing for Perry Lakes in 2019. His involvement with the association has only deepened since.

“I've always loved the sport, and when my time finished playing with the Wildcats I had that urge to give back to the game and see if we can grow the game as much as we can here in the local community.”

“I started schools, programs and coaching WABL at the Perry Lakes Hawks.”

“Just trying to get myself into that junior program pathway, and I'm loving every minute of it.”

“You see the small kids' faces picking up the basketball and just see their journey… it's fun to be a part of that journey and see people fall in love with the game as much as I did as a player.”

Shawn believes that strong connections between local associations like Perry Lakes and professional clubs like the Perth Wildcats are key to growing the sport.

“I think it's huge. The more connections you have, the more we can grow. Grow the game of basketball.”

“The Wildcats have always been ingrained in the community. I know when I was a player we were going out to schools all the time and I think it's probably one of those separators… people recognise the Wildcats as being part of the community.”

“I think Perry Lakes Hawks are the same. They want to have an impact on the local community and make sure they’re providing the sport for everyone and making sure everyone has that opportunity to play, a sport that I think a lot of people love.”

For Dylan, his time at Perry Lakes has been an important part of his development so far.

“Playing at Perry Lakes helped improve me a lot.”

“I met a lot of new friends… It's been really good throughout the years being able to develop and play with a lot of different people and lots different coaches.”

The Perry Lakes Hawks take on the Cockburn Cougars tonight at Bendat Basketball Centre from 6:00PM, head on down if you’re in the area.