PERCY the Penguin has been a feature at Mount Gambier Pioneers Basketball Club home games for decades, but the future of the club and its Ice House-themed mascot are now uncertain.
The man behind the mask for the last two seasons has expressed his disappointment after the club’s application to join a revamped Victorian-based league was rejected on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old club is now on the outside of any viable elite league.
While his role as Percy – the embodiment of Pioneers passion – was top secret until recently, Blue Lake Homes manager Elliott Jones described the experience as both humbling and heartwarming.
“Grassroots basketball in Mount Gambier is unreal and dancing around as Percy was probably one of the most humbling experiences I have had,” Mr Jones said yesterday.
“You see the kids faces light up when they wave at Percy, or when they go on the court at the end of the game and meet the players.
“This decision is taking that privilege and joy away from those kids.
“My kids are devastated and so are a lot of kids in Mount Gambier.”
Mr Jones said he had taken on the role of Percy 18 months ago after joining the club as a sponsor a few years prior.
“Before I was involved as the team mascot, I was here every Friday night as a sponsor and fan,” he said.
“It was not such a great season on the court this year, but everyone was behind the club.
“It took 30 years to build this and they can take it away in a week – it is surreal to think this could all be over.”
He said it was a “bloody shame” the iconic club – which had established itself as the benchmark for the now defunct SEABL competition – had been excluded from the revamped league.
“I have said in jest I want to wear my Percy costume, walk into Basketball Australia and make a nuisance of myself for a few days,” he said with tongue in cheek.
“If Basketball Australia had said you need X amount of money, there is no doubt all the sponsors would have come up with any amount of money – there is so much passion for this club.
“We are all in disbelief I think, the team has been so successful and has a huge supporter base and the reality is it could all be stripped away.”
