The 'heart and soul' of Rockingham

By NBL Media

Ryan Godfrey is synonymous with the Rockingham Flames.

A life member of the club who has played there since juniors and has been described as the ‘heart and soul’ of the Flames. 

Dedicating his career to his club Godfrey finally achieved the ultimate goal of winning a championship for his club, the Rockingham Flames were crowned the NBL1 West Champions in early September, 366 days after they lost in the 2021 NBL1 West Grand Final.  

But this season the Flames had one more trophy in their grasp. 

A week later the Coles Express NBL1 National Finals was starting and the Flames flew out Friday morning, played a triple-header across the weekend and then beat the hometown Frankson Blues in the Championship Game to conquer the entire NBL1. 

The @Coles Express NBL1 Men’s Championship Game MVP Ryan Godfrey ? ? pic.twitter.com/z2v3Oe4OPE

— NBL1 (@NBL1) September 16, 2022

Ryan Godfrey was named the Championship Game MVP but says that particular achievement isn’t as important to him as the championship banner his team received. 

“Honestly, it’s a team sport, it’s obviously very nice to be recognised as the MVP but I couldn’t do it without my teammates or the coaching staff,” Godfrey told NBL Media. 

“Going to the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport), playing for Australia and winning a championship is a lot higher on my list. No disrespect to the award, but it’s a team sport and that’s the main reason why I play.” 

Via Ian Knight Photography: Rockingham celebrating the NBL1 National Title 

Godfrey said it was humbling being described as the soul of the club. 

“It probably comes from the long tenure I’ve had here and how loyal I’ve been to the club,” he said. 

“But they’ve obviously done a lot for me throughout my junior career. So to be mentioned in that sort of category is pretty unbelievable.” 

Godfrey weeks later is still unable to express how much it means to him and his club to pull off both a conference and national title in such a short span. 

“I’m still trying to find the words for it,” Godfrey chuckled. 

“It’s incredible, incredible for the playing group, in particular for coach Ryan Petrik to bring a championship to the men’s and women’s program. It’s something we’ve talked about for the past four or five years and it’s always something you aspire to, but for it to be a reality is unreal. 

“I was at Flames HQ last night and weeks later people are still talking about it and congratulating us, it’s pretty remarkable.” 

Outside of basketball Godfrey is the Director of Sport at St. Norbert College, teaching health and physical education and runs specialised basketball programs. 

Like many NBL1 players, it’s a difficult balance for Godfrey to play and teach, he said many road trips involved him marking papers and thanked his partner for being so supportive. 

“It’s tough at times but I have a fantastic fiance who gives me all the time of day to make sure I can get my work done and prepare for games on the weekend,” he said. 

Between the two it certainly takes up a lot of time, I am forever with my laptop. There’s been a couple of road trips throughout the season where we’re spending a bit of time on the bus and I am able to tick a few boxes along the way.” 

It’s been a long time coming for Ryan Godfrey and the Rockingham Flames. But after being in and around the club for 28 years, Godfrey brought home two championships in less than two weeks; a fairytale season from the best team out West.