Presidents Honour Roll

From	To	President
1981	1989	Margaret Smith
1989	1992	Robert Seear
1992	1996	Bruce Evans
1996	1999	Tony Banks
1999	2001	Melissa Eames
2001	2004	Chris Maries
2004	2006	Melissa Eames
2006	2008	Bruce Robinson
2008	2010	Melanie Holden
2010	2012	Greg Parsons
2012		Tim Forster

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life Members

Year Awarded	Life Member
1987	Margaret Smith
1989	Barry Ellis
1989	Rod Kerr
1989	Jenny Solier
1996	Bruce Evans
2011	Melissa Eames
2011	Yvonne Dinnage
2012	Kim Robinson
2012	Bruce Robinson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Margaret Smith Perpetual Trophy

The Margaret Smith Perpetual Trophy was donated to Yarrambat Basketball Club by Bill and Helen Stubbs. Their children played with the Club in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Bill was a committee member. The trophy itself is named after the Club's founder (Margaret Smith), and acknowledges contribution by members to the Club. The trophy was first awarded in 1990.

Year Awarded	Recipient
1990	Nicole Smith
1991	Shane Berry
1992	Solier Family
1993	Trish Welsh
1994	Briggs Family
1995	Rob Underwood
1996	Melissa and Kirsty Eames
1999	Bruce Evans
2001	Chas Stray
2004	Yvonne Dinnage
2011	Tim Wood
2012	Sue Clarke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phantoms first ever A Grade champions!

On December 11th, 2013, our Girls Under 14/1 team won a decisive 43-26 victory over Rosanna East to take out the Grand Final, and become Yarrambat Basketball Club's first ever A Grade champions! Congratulations to Monique Jackson, Tess Dillon, Ashley Boek, Gabby Newton, Kyla Parry, Rachel Watt, Mikieli Jones, Marnie Jarvis and long service coach Bruce Robinson for this fantastic effort.

 

Club History

In the early 1980's Margaret Sm
ith was a teacher and parent at the Yarrambat Primary School (YPS).  When Margaret's son Clinton decided that he and a group of friends wanted to play basketball, she considered the options of where the boys could play and determined that Eltham and Greensborough clubs would result in unnecessary travel.  As a result the Yarrambat Basketball Club (YBC) was established with an under 10 boy's team entered in 1981 into the Diamond Valley Junior Basketball League.

The familiar black and red colours were selected as both Margaret and another mother in the team, Dawn King, were supporters of Essendon Football Club.  Margaret took on the role as Coach and President, and the comic book "Phantom" was selected as the team's mascot.  After only two seasons of basketball the club won its first premiership when Margaret coached her boy's team to the flag.

By the third season of the club a further boy's team was added and a girl's team was also introduced. By 1987 the club had grown to over 13 teams with most teams training on the YPS outdoor ashpalt courts.  As the club grew it was decided indoor training facilities were required, so in 1987 the club first began to use the indoor courts at St. Helena Secondary College.  20+ years on the club still utilises this facility for training, amongst several others.

In 1987 the club introduced its first Life Member when founder Margaret Smith was honoured for her huge contribution.

During the 1980's social nights were a big part of the club's success.  Fundraisers consisted of gatherings at Barry and Pam Ellis' famous Wool Shed in Doreen, whilst the club also held several "Spit Nights" at the Doreen Town Hall.

In 1988 the club expanded into senior teams with two men's and two women's teams competing.  By the end of 1989 the club consisted of 18 teams.

In 1989 Margaret Smith retired and was succeeded by Robery Seear as President.  Committee members Barry Ellis, Rod Kerr and Jenny Solier were awarded Life Memberships for their efforts for the club.  Rob Underwood was another parent who made an enormous contribution in these early days taking on many roles on the committee.

In the late 1980's the club also began to get into merchandise with Yarrambat Phantoms socks and jackets.  Later hats and white cloth Phantom logo badges for the uniforms were introduced.  A few social initiatives were introduced with the most popular being bus trips to National Baketball League (NBL) games.  In 1990 fundraising continued with a bus shopping tour and a trip to Eltham Little Theatre (very cultured during this period).

The early 1990's saw many changes to the committee as a new generation of Phantom youngsters began at the club.  In 1992 Bruce Evans took over as President, whilst the retiring Robert Seear was awarded Life Membership.  Bruce also became the first YBC member to serve on the Diamond Valley Basketball Association (DVBA) committee.

YBC committee meetings were held in a variety of places including the Brownie Hall (behind Yarrambat Kindergarten) and old classrooms in the YPS.  The club's search for a permanent home would continue and a few years later a shed was bought and relocated to the YPS and would be the home of the club for many years.  The club also began to produce some referees after a successful idea was implemented that the club would subsidise the uniforms of any club member who undertook the training course.

In 1994 the basketball club held its first end of year Christmas break-up at Eltham Roller City, a tradition which has continued (albeit a different venue).  In 1994 the club consisted of 20 junior and 7 senior teams.

In 1996 Bruce Evans retired as President and was succeeded by Tony Banks.  Bruce was honoured with Life Membership.

During the 1990's the club decided to update the playing uniforms, retaining the traditional colours but adding the word "PHANTOMS" across the front for a modern design.

When Tony Banks retired in 1999 he was replaced by Melissa Eames who would serve the first of two terms as President.

In the early 2000's the club began to hold committee meetings at the Yarrambat CFA, thanks to the help of long serving committee member Yvonne Dinnage.  The club also held several successful end of year presentation days at the Alpine Toboggan Park in Whittlesea.

In 2001 Chris Maries became the new President, serving in this role until his retirement in 2004.  During these years the club organised several successful social nights including the "Burger & Bowls" night and a trip to an Eltham ABA game.  The third change of singlets also occurred with the comfortable mesh design introduced and word "Yarrambat" added to the back.

In 2004 Melissa Eames returned for another term as President, along with new committee member Rita Mecuri.  Rita became the driving force for many successful fundraisers including Easter raffles, chocolate drives and the popular "Snakes Alive" fundraiser.

In 2005 committee meetings would shift to the Yarrambat Football Club, and is the current home of YBC.

Bruce Robinson succeeded Melissa Eames as President of the club.  During this period the club's senior teams continue to wear the YBC colours, but essentially are separate to the running of YBC, whilst YBC focuses on the Junior Domestic level of competition. Fundraisers continue with "Blue Light Discos" and "Bunnings Warehouse BBQs".

In 2006 the YBC celebrated the 25th Anniversary with an Anniversary dinner.  It was a well represented night and truly reflected the spirit of the people that help make the club successful.

Melanie Holden in 2008 became President and Bruce continued Coaching and also became part of the DVBA committee as Treasurer then Vice President.  In December of 2008 a YBC team of under 10 boy's was invited to play a short game against another domestic team at half time on the main court of "The Cage" at a Melbourne Tigers versus South Dragons game in the NBL.

By 2009 the DVBA had established an online presence with Jamware, and Janine Green established the YBC website.

In 2010 Greg Parsons as Vice President of YBC took over as acting President as Melanie gave an early birth to her daughter Chelsea. Greg officially became President at the 2010 Annual General Meeting.  DVBA Winter 2010 season saw 14 teams participate in finals with three teams winning premierships.  In the Summer of 2010 season, the club had 10 teams participate in grand finals, of which seven won the premierships for their grades.

In the DVBA Winter 2011 season the club is represented by 19 boy's teams and 12 girl's teams in the DVBA Junior Domestic competition. In the Summer 2011 season the club peaked at 32 teams (20 boy's and 12 girl's teams).

2012 saw the change of the Diamond Valley Basketball Association online system to Sporting Pulse and YBC changed website to www.phantoms.sportingpulse.net. The year finished with the changeover of the President to Tim Forster, and Sue Clarke stood down as Treasurer after 10 years on the committee in various committee roles.

YBC continues to thrive, with many people involved with various aspects of club organisation at the committee level, coaching and team support; and to the players themselves that give us enjoyment to watch their development.

GO PHANTOMS !!!

 

References:  The Club would like to thank Tim Woods that put together the first 25 years of the club's history that is utilised as the basis here; from information supplied by Trish Welsh, Melissa Eames and Margaret Eaton (Smith), all of whom we appreciate their assistance.