Basketball
19 April, 2025
Munyard, Livingstone reflect on national glory
Few have played nationally, and even fewer can say they have won a national championship.
However, Horsham’s Levi Munyard and Micah Livingstone join a short list of basketballers who have won gold for Victoria Country.
The pair were part of the history-making squad that defeated NSW Metro 83-74 on Sunday, April 13.
Speaking from their homes in Horsham, Munyard and Livinstone admit they still cannot describe the emotions that hit them after the final buzzer.
“It generally means the world to me,” Munyard said.
“I've spent three to four years of my life, dedicating everything to get to this moment, just to play.
“Once we won, everyone just stormed each other; I was bawling my eyes out, thinking about all the other times, all the hard times I've been through in basketball, and it was just worth it.
“I don't think it will sink in for another 10 years. It's pretty surreal.”
“Yeah, it was unreal. I don't think it's settled in, nor will it for a while,” Livingston said.
“It was an amazing experience; as soon as the buzzers sounded, we quickly shook the other team's hands, sprinted to the locker rooms, and got around each other.
“That was one of the best moments, just getting into the locker room and getting around each other.
“Probably one of the best feelings I've ever had.”
It was the first time either teen had played with Victoria Country, with Munyard named as an emergency in 2024.
Livingstone said there was something about the squad, even from the first full practice together.
“We sort of felt we should be one of the top teams,” he said.
“We had a few practice matches against some of the other teams, and felt we did well with our training and preparation as a team.
“Our coach organised a longer preparation lead - one of the longest preparations they've ever done for nationals - which helped us.
“However, we knew it wasn't going to be easy; there were many challenges along the way.”
Munyard said the squad’s camaraderie was vital to their success.
“I always thought winning gold was a bit of a stretch, but once his team got built, I realised we're an incredibly good team.
“We gel, we've been friends for five plus years, so I always had this weird feeling that we would win.”
Livingstone and Munyard’s journey to join the national squad of just 12 players has been long and arduous.
The sacrifices and dedication of the Horsham lads, now based in Ballarat, saw Munyard named the captain of the Victoria Country team.
“I had no clue I was going to be the captain,” he said.
“Our coach didn't announce one, so we did a vote and everyone voted for me unanimously, which was pretty cool.
“Throughout the whole week, I held it upon myself to help the team win.
"I might not be on the court to help, but during time-outs I did my best to help the team stay in line and be level-headed.”
A traditional centre/power forward, Livingstone’s role in the squad didn’t fill the stat sheet; however, it was vital to the team’s success throughout the whole tournament.
“Going into the national championships, we all had roles and knew what we had to do to make the team successful,” he said.
“Whether it's filling the stat sheet with 20 points or doing all the little things that aren't even recorded as stats.
“We were happy to play our respective roles, knowing that, at the end of the day, that all benefits us.
“My role was setting many on-ball and off-ball screens, just trying to get our shooters open and our guards going downhill towards the ring.
“It is something we do within the State Development Program as a program in Victoria.”
While enjoying some time away from the courts, Munyard reflected on the enormity of the championship win.
He hopes the next national championship will feature more Horsham basketballers.
“This gold medal means a lot, having grown up in Horsham, and playing basketball for the Hornets,” he said.
“I want to represent Horsha, because this is my home, and I've earned this for them.
“I’m not saying I'm that much of a role model, but like me looking up to Shaun Bruce and Mitch Creek and everyone that's made it before, I want to try and be like that for the little kids in Horsham.”
