Meet the power couple devoted to ensuring Thunder game days go to plan

Debra and Michael Lynch were brought together by devoting their time to basketball.  Fast forward and they are still volunteering many hours to this day at the North West Thunder.
The husband and wife have been putting in a power of work behind the scenes for 15 years, with Debra fulfilling the role of game day commissioner while Michael is responsible for filming the matches.|

From competition name changes to the foundation of Ulverstone Sports and Leisure Centre, the pair have seen "a lot of changes", but there was one that stood out above the rest.  "When we commenced videoing the games, we had to burn the game onto a DVD and send it to SEABL as it was known at the time [now NBL1]," Debra said.  "We then went to uploading the videos to a program on the internet called HUDL before it changed to live streaming games. 
"The video equipment [is the biggest change] and setting up things like sponsorship boxes, which we didn't have before. Every year the NBL changes a few things so we've got to adapt to that," Michael said.
On top of setting up video equipment, Michael helps out with general maintenance jobs while Debra has been a board member, administrator, financial officer and technical support. 
From Matthew Knight to Jacob Furphy, the pair have seen many players go on to compete at a higher level. 
While "the love for the team" keeps them involved, Debra highlighted that volunteering can be for anyone.  "Volunteers are few and far between," she said.  "It's not just players, it's a good starting point for the media, statisticians, bench personnel, announcers.  It covers a lot of jobs." 
Debra and Michael were bullish on the Thunder's chances this season ahead of their NBL1 South season opener against the Hobart Chargers on Saturday, March 29.  "We've got some very talented players and I'd like to think we can give it a shake.  It depends on who the other clubs have recruited because they've got bigger budgets than we have," Michael said.  "That's one of our downfalls is we only work on a shoestring budget," Debra said.  "The biggest challenge is keeping the budget side of things in the back when we finish up at the end of the season."