HISTORY ARTICLES
– MEMORY LANE

Barry Wadingham – Life Member Testimonial, 1995

by | Nov 23, 2013

Dear Publicity Officer,

I hope what I have sent is of some use to your committee. I have written those names I can remember on the back of the photos, the actual dates I am unsure about.

Some of the players who stand out in my memory and would probably be worth a mention are.

John Lydeamore

One of the most talented sportsman to live in Whyalla. Whilst not trained in Basketball skills as young players today his natural talent, speed and agility made him an exceptional player.

Mike Osborne

Mick brought more to Whyalla in the way of true coaching skills than anyone else I came across. He taught me the value of a zone press which turned a small teams disadvantage into a winning tactic.

My best memory of Mick was his lightning chest pass, often when looking the other way he would whistle one into the keyway with pinpoint accuracy to his pivot player. He also used it to soften up a tough opposition who was giving his protégé Kim Borrett a hard time. One of Mick’s passes would fly in but unfortunately it would be just astray enough to hit the opposition centre on the nose. With bloodied face the opposition centre became considerably more tentative about the rough stuff.

Mick Poynter

His classical Basketball style , ability to use either hand and excellent shooting strengthened Spartans and Whyalla side considerably. He was a pleasure to watch and coach.

Chris Cowan

One of the best outside shooters to play in Whyalla.

Peter Rumball

Peter left Whyalla just after I arrived. I watched him in a few combine sides before he left. He blossomed when he went to Perth, and played in State junior sides. I believed he captained the Western Australia U20 side. He played top level senior basketball in Perth.

I would like to also comment on the enormous efforts made by John Kirby in the days when we built our stadium. His dedication of personal time particularly with the first extensions was extraordinary.

Bruce you might be interested to know that my son Andrew who was never any great talent playing juniors in Whyalla suddenly developed skills and dedication when we moved to Perth and went on to represent WA in the U16 side and made the U18 squad.

Well I’m sorry my memory doesn’t enable me to come up with anymore but 13 years away further dims the memories.

Please pass on my best wishes to any basketball identities from my era (Gunter for one). All the best to your committee in the efforts in collating the history of Whyalla basketball.

Cheers
Barry Waddingham

Received in May 1995

MEMORY
LANE

Ray Girvan – Nomads and Me

My name is Ray Girvin.

I was a founding member of Nomads Basketball Club, in Whyalla in 1971 where I ended up playing more than 250 games over a 10 years period with them.

Mike Osborne’s Whyalla Experience

I arrived in Whyalla in January 1972, newly married and school teacher at Whyalla High School.

I had played some District basketball with Glenelg and had taken up coaching early in my career and loved it.

Spencer Hotel Super Challenge – 1986

November 1986 when a touch of NBL came to Whyalla.

By 1986 the National Basketball League was becoming established in Australia.

Alan Castle – Life Member Testimonial, 1995

Details of Alan Castle Former President and Life Member of the WBA.

Background and playing career.

Parker Dix – Life Member Testimonial, 1995

Dear Publicity Officer,

Darren, sorry I’ve taken so long to write but I’ve been a bit slack in trying to put things into words.

Roy Lydeamore – Life Member Testimonial,1995

With reference to your request for information concerning my involvement in Basketball in Whyalla over the years I wish to advise that I worked as gatekeeper for 30 years, firstly at the McBride Terrace courts, the rec centre and at Jubilee Park.

Hall of fame for NT’s ‘Magic Johnson’, 2012

IT has been confirmed that Darwin and Australian basketball great Michael AhMat will be inducted into Basketball Australia’s Hall Of Fame later this month.

INTERVIEWS
& VIDEOS

John Spooner

Our latest 3 part Video instalment is with ex WBA President John Spooner.

It was filmed last year but has taken interviewer Trevor Castle some time to edit due to the amount of content John provided.

Tia Bails, 2019

From Steelers to Rockets.

This Months video interview instalemnet by Trevor Castle features another one of Whyalla’s young female high flyers.

Ray Girvan, 2019

Ray Girvin is a true basketball tragic.

He fell in love with the game when he played his first game for a team called Nomads back in 1971.

U16 Nationals – Jorja Eldridge Interview, 2017

Get to know one of Whyalla’s young stars!

In January Jorja played in the Under 16 Girls Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup in Albury then chosen in the ACJBC (Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup) team.

Keith Lenon – Past President Interview, 2017

Keith Lenon was a basketball pioneer in Whyalla.

When basketball began in Whyalla it was at the old Aerodrome (just behind where the wetlands are now) in 1955 and there were just 5 teams.

Allan Castle – Past President Interview, 2017

WBA Life Member Allan Castle moved from Pt. Augusta to Whyalla in 1969 and immediately became involved in the management committee of the Whyalla Basketball Association.

Army Challenge Video, 2016

Highlight footage taken by the Army at the first of our Army Vs Civilian Challenges during their July 2106 Exercise Hamel operations.

It was Grand final type atmosphere but better due to the amazing response from the local community to this charity event.

President Jeff Spry, 2016

Jeff Spry was elected to the position of WBA President at the AGM last year.

I caught up with Jeff in the middle of this term to get to know him a little and to talk about what he sees as the biggest challenges facing Whyalla Basketball at the moment.

Darren Quinn, 2015

Following his recent retirement from playing basketball at the end of Sumer Season 2014/2015, Darren Quinn, Whyalla’s most decorated player, agreed to sit down and tell his story.

Grant Application – Larry Bird in Whyalla, 2015

The WBA are currently in the process of applying for some grant money to start a lighting upgrade.

We applied to Holden for a grant via their Home ground advantage support scheme.

OUR PAST CLUBS

1955 – GIANTS

GIANTS– Starting in 1955 making them won of the founding clubs of International rules Basketball in Whyalla.

1955 – JAFFA’S

JAFFAS – Starting in 1955 Jaffas were won of the founding clubs of International rules Basketball in Whyalla.

1955 – MORMONS / LATTER DAY SAINTS (L.D.S)

LATTER DAY SAINTS (L.D.S)–In 1955 the Mormons basketball club became one of the WBA’s founding clubs.

1955 – POSTALS

POSTALS – Are one of the founding clubs of the WBA. They started as a group of workers from the South Australian Postal Institute.

1955 – TIGERS

TIGERS–In 1955 the Tigers beat the 30 -9 in the 1st season of International rules Basketball ever Played in Whyalla.

1957 – KNIGHTS

PAST CLUBSThe Knights Basketball Club came into being at the start of the 1957/8 season with the formation of an U16 boys team to enter the new competition created by the association. The team was made up by a number of school friends and who played colts football for...

1957 – TANGO

TANGO – Were part of the first season pf Women’s basketball in Whyalla.

1957 – TARANTULA’S

TARANTULAS – Started in 1957 in the Inaugural season of Women’s International rules Basketball in Whyalla.

1960 – Y M C A

YMCA– Formed in the early 60’s the YMCA consisted of a number of men’s and boys teams.

1960 – DRAGONS

DRAGONS – Formed in the early 60’s by a group of Westy footballers the dragons and competed into the late 60’s.

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