The History of the Moss Vale and District Basketball Association Inc.

The birthplace of our district basketball was a simple storeroom at the back of Bernie’s Café, Moss Vale. In 1958, two people with a passion for the sport, George Benardos and Graeme Phillips, developed the concept of introducing basketball to the district.   Now, through sound business principles and financial management, basketball has grown to be one of the major sporting organisations on the Southern Highlands.

 

For more than five decades, the Association has been committed to contributing to the community and while doing so, it has enjoyed the support of people and organisations from all walks of life in the Highlands and beyond.

 

Integral to the sustained development has been a generosity of spirit demonstrated by financial institutions, Government Departments, industrial complexes, Local Council, professional offices, retail outlets, social agencies and other sporting organisations; sharing knowledge, time and energy or providing goods or financial contribution.

 

In the early years, players gathered in a small Boy’s Club Hall, shorter than a cricket pitch, on the current site of Moss Vale Swimming Pool, to play in very cramped conditions where players had to literally shoot through the rafters to attempt a goal. Numbers grew and in 1959 the Association moved to the Moss Vale Show Society Pavilion under the leadership of successful business identity, Brian Whyte (inaugural President). During the 1960's, the Association hosted short games, five long nights a week to accommodate all the players. The need to acquire additional playing space was apparent.

 

In the mid ‘60's a search was made for suitable accommodation. As nothing was found, a decision was taken to purchase land and build a purpose-built stadium. With the support of local business, Wingeecaribee Shire Council and generous individuals, under the leadership of Graeme Phillips (President), the stadium opened its doors in Parkes Road, Moss Vale in 1971. It stands as a testament to the courage and commitment of the Board of the day, some members of which continue to serve.

Again the growth rate of basketball was remarkable, with games conducted on two courts, five nights a week, enhanced by the introduction of a very strong Junior competition on Saturdays. The Board, led by Graham Brown (President), embarked on an ambitious program of doubling the size of the facility to two International Standard courts, encompassing four smaller courts, opening in 1983.

In the 1980's, the Association met the challenge of other sports which were competing for members in night and weekend competitions, and continued to operate successfully. As funds allowed we continued with improvements to the facility and in 2014, with the help of Local Council we carried out a $650k upgrade to include insulation to the main buildings and the provision of comfortable observation area and club room.

Changes

The Association is unique in the Highlands because of its ability to host major sporting and community events. Over the years it has successfully staged Regional and State basketball tournaments; hosted touring American senior and junior teams; wheelchair basketball; the Senegal Women’s Olympic team and the Korean Professional team; National Basketball League preseason games over the last twenty years, featuring the National Champions, the Wollongong Hawks which have attracted many enthusiasts, and annual social basketball tournaments.

 

Other major sporting events conducted in the facility have been - Tae Kwon Do tournaments; Volleyball tournaments; Disabled Volleyball exhibitions; Indoor Soccer tournaments, and private and public schools’ tournaments.

Community based projects such as the Rotary Club sponsored “U-Turn the Wheel” initiative also found a home in the stadium.

 

Each year thousands of people from all walks of life, across the State and beyond, pass through the Association’s doors.

The Players.

In over 60 years of operation, the Moss Vale and District Basketball Association has produced a number of exceptional players and officials.   Representatives have competed in State and National tournaments, winner of no fewer than ten NSW Country Tournament Championships and in 2015 the NSW Waratah Youth League Div 2 Championship. The Association proudly acknowledges over 35 players and officials who have represented at State, National and International levels. Former juniors, Brett Flanigan, Simon Cotterill, Anne Furlong (Robilliard) represented their country as players, all accounting for themselves admirably in the National Basketball League as players, and Brett in a coaching capacity, being named NBL’s youngest ever Coach of the Year in 1996. In 2016 we have members in the USA College program and NSW representatives.

 

The association members drawn from as far afield as Hilltop, Robertson, Bundanoon, Canyonleigh and beyond.

The Future.

With the same vision, sound management and enthusiasm, the Board will face the growing pressure of running a successful, predominately voluntary organisation and will continue to provide for the sporting needs of the general community of the Southern Highlands.

 

Consideration is being given to expanding the present facility, including multipurpose floors, café, social and administrative areas. The facility could also cater for users of Lackey Park making the area a prominent sporting hub not only in the Southern Highlands but in NSW.

 

The new facilities could include a club lounge, dormitory style accommodation for group training, commercial premises for sports medicine and / or chiropractic tenants, or sporting goods outlets. The possibilities are endless.