HISTORY ARTICLES
– MEMORY LANE

Spencer Hotel Super Challenge – 1986

by Hoops | Nov 24, 2013

November 1986 when a touch of NBL came to Whyalla.

By 1986 the National Basketball League was becoming established in Australia. Having started in 1979 with District level clubs from all over Australia such as Glenelg, West Adelaide, Geelong and St Kilda teams were starting to drop out or amalgamate as their budgets went up. At this time two Whyalla clubs who strongly opposed each other on the court, Spartans (who later amalgamated with Robinettes to form Titans) and Brorowa Bears(who late amalgamated with Nomads to form Wildcats), got together and organised a “Super Challenge” where, like the NBL, each teams was allowed two import players for a two match series.

The planning and organising work was done by Ray Williamson and Graeme Baker from Spartans with Dean and Sandra Plane and Trevor and Vickie Castle from Brorowa.

Spartans signed Ricky Simpson (an American Guard playing with Noarlunga Tigers) and John Wesley (an American Forward playing with Forestville). Brorowa signed Dr Dunkenstein aka Al Green (the American guard who was taking the NBL by storm with West Adelaide then the Adelaide 36ers) and Donnie Gibson ( an American forward / centre playing with Woodville).

The idea was to play two games Friday night then again Saturday night with a junior coaching clinic in between. The accumulative score would decide the winner. Major sponsorship was found with the Spencer Hotel (so all players uniforms had to carry the Spencer Hotel name on the back of their uniform) and individual player sponsors were found with other local businesses paying to have their name on the front on players uniform. This generous support ensured the event was a financial
success for both clubs.

Brorowa Bears teams included locals Greg Turner, Greg Fuller, Ross Thompson, Greg Hayes, John Matthews, Trevor Castle, Brenton Williamson and Phil Twiggs. Brorowa were coached by former Brorowa player and first 36ers coach Mike Osborne.

Spartans included local players Peter Dawson, Shane Atkinson, Ray Williamson, Michael Reese, John Katsiavos, Steve Discombe and David Watson.
Tickets were presold, seeing bumper crowds on both nights. At was a first attempt at full on game night presentation and had everyone really excited. Local players playing with superstars and feeling like superstars!

For the record Spartans won the first game by 4, Brorowa won the second game by 6 at least that how I remember it. Brorowa won the game but the real winner was Whyalla Basketball.

By Trever Castle

Pictures to be added soon

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.

Alan Castle – Life Member Testimonial, 1995

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

Background and playing career.

Barry Wadingham – Life Member Testimonial, 1995

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.

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...