Coffs Basketball receives visit from founding member.

Current President of the Association Justin Baldwin had the chance recently to meet with Jim Gallacher, when Jim returned to Coffs for a Jetty High re-union and called into Sportz Central to check up on the 2014 version of his creation.

Jim was one of a small group of basketball enthusiasts who back in 1968 called a foundation meeting at the Plantation Hotel which resulted in the establishment of the basketball association in Coffs Harbour.

Two names dropped in conversation from those early days were Chris Pearson and Rhonda Lincoln.

Jim stayed involved on the local scene for three more years until work with the Commonwealth Bank took him to other parts of the Country.

Jim, his wife and family eventually settled for many years in Newcastle where he went on to pursue his referee and game adminstration career.  Jim and family still call Newcastle home.

During a three year period in the mid '90's Jim became the General Manager of the Newcastle Basketball Association and it was during this time that he developed a friendship with our own Sandra Mottram.

Jim was very impressed with the facilities the basketballers of Coffs Harbour now have to practice and play their games.

When he and friends were setting up the association, they played games in a small hall that used to be where the present Park Beach Caravan Park now stands.
According to Jim they made 'great progress' when they moved to what is now the Dance Hall at the showground, opposite the Bailey Centre.

Compared to those days, Sportz Central with its four courts, canteen, foyer, sprung floors, plenty of run-off space and comforatable areas for spectators is an absolute palace.

However, today's basketballers can be very grateful to Jim and his friends for havig the vision to start a basketball association, because without that initial step, we certainly would not be where we are today. Thanks Jim!

Jim's visit also highlights the lack of history about Coffs Harbour Basketball so if you or someone you know can help us with some information about the history of basketball in Coffs and of CHBA, we'd love to hear from you.
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