A 10-year-old boy named Max Philliban has been given the opportunity to coach his favorite basketball team, the Caledonia Gladiators, after he dressed up as their head coach for a Halloween match. Max’s costume was an uncanny likeness of the team’s head coach, Gareth Murray, complete with a replica of the coach’s signature thick beard and fabric sleeve tattoos. The team was so impressed with Max’s costume that they have invited him to support Mr. Murray and his team at an upcoming training session.
Max, who attends Kinnaird Primary School and plays at under-12 level for basketball club Falkirk Fury, has been a dedicated fan of the Caledonia Gladiators for the last three seasons. He and his mother, Linsey Philliban, have been attending the team’s games regularly, and Max even plays for Falkirk Fury, where Caledonia Gladiators stars Jonny Bunyan and Fraser Malcolm began their careers.
Max’s love for basketball and his admiration for the Gladiators prompted him to dress as the club’s coach for their pre-Halloween British Basketball League match on October 29. The team’s victory in that match, with a score of 84-83 against the Leicester Riders, added to the excitement of the event.
Gareth Murray, the head coach of the Caledonia Gladiators, was deeply touched by Max’s gesture and was delighted to offer him the chance to help train the club. He expressed his appreciation for Max’s costume, stating that it gave the players a good laugh and that Max certainly looked the part as a head coach. Max’s mother, Linsey, shared that Max was over the moon when he found out about the opportunity to train with the team, as he is a massive fan of the Gladiators and has been attending all their home games for the past three seasons.
The Caledonia Gladiators, who recently won their first silverware in two decades, are excited to have Max join them for training. The club’s men’s and women’s teams have also started the season in their new home strongly, making history as the first Scottish basketball club teams in decades to win in European competition. Max’s passion for basketball and the heartwarming support from the Gladiators and their coach have made this a truly special experience for the young fan turned coach.