Some of the Dubbo Basketball Association juniors taking part in the weekend's clinics had never worked harder on the courts.
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But it was also clear to see they had rarely had as much fun.
Famed coach Rob Beveridge passed on his wealth of knowledge and expertise across two days at the Dubbo Christian School courts, working with Rams juniors of all ages.
The drills were of the highest level, intense, and ever-changing, just the way the former National Basketball League winner and Australian junior mentor wanted.
"It's the first time they would ever have been exposed to that," Beveridge said, the drills he used the same he's run with teams at the top of the game.
"That's the point. It shows them and the way they persevered, they got it.
"And that is rewarding for me as a coach. These 14, 15, and 16-year-old kids can actually do the more advanced stuff, they just don't get exposed to it.
"We taught a lot of individual skill development, shooting technique, team concepts, and through to showing our national philosophy. That's so these kids, if they go through the 12s, 14s, and 16s to talent identification camps, it's what they'll be doing.
"It's showing them the next level and what to work on. The primary thing is skill level and the intensity at which they have to work at."
Discipline was a major aspect of the drills and clinic as a whole, as Beveridge wanted the Dubbo youngsters to realise the chance they have.
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As someone who has been involved with the game in a professional manor for close to three decades, the vastly experienced coach knows what it takes.
And he also knows it doesn't matter where players come from, it's all about that attitude.
"Something that's definitely important is these kids have got to realise the majority of players in basketball who make the national teams are country kids," he said.
"They've got a different mentality in the country. They're more resilient and they do a lot more sports and are less distracted. They play with older kids and they're hardened and that's a great attribute and it's a great incentive.
"If you work hard you can make national teams."
While being high-fived and thanked by hordes of juniors, close to 100 took part across the two days, Beveridge told them he was eager to return.
It was something he stated before he made the trip west, with the first session laying a foundation for future development.
"I made the decision a few months ago to work with good people, good kids, and people who want to learn," he said.
"I find the western regions of NSW have great groups of people to work with."