History of Eaglehawk Amateur Basketball Association
As part of the fabric of country basketball, Eaglehawk remains one of our longest-lived and most passionately supported associations throughout regional Victoria.
They earned their spot on the basketball landscape the hard way though – through graft, determination and toil… they built the team and the courts from the ground up.
Eaglehawk Y Men started construction of a basketball court in 1959 on vacant land behind the Eaglehawk RSL in Peg Led Road, Eaglehawk. This land required significant levelling and large concrete slabs were required to cover a large drain, which ran across the land. All the work was conducted by working bees from the men at the Eaglehawk Y’s Club.
Brick by brick their dream for a basketball focal point in the town came to life. The first games were conducted a couple of years later to raucous applause and enthusiastic support from the community.
In 1961, Court and lighting was completed and the courts were officially opened. 4 “C ”Teams from the Bendigo BA formed the first competition
1962, the Eaglehawk BA was formed by the Eaglehawk ‘Y’ Mens Club. Wendy and Laurie Sheldon and Graham Millar ran an 8 team Men’s competition.
In 1963 the competition expanded to 10 Men’s Teams and 8 Women’s Teams’. Eaglehawk Y negotiated the purchase of an old hall, now the IGA Supermarket, the hall had previously been used as a clothing factory in wartime, a Skating rink and the Star Picture Theatre. Purchase price of the hall was 1526 pounds.
Left to right: Coach Ashley Donaldson, Judi Donaldson, Betty Kearns, Marlene Sharp, Rhonda Miatke, Judy Doyle, Helen Emery, Colleen Ryans, defeating Warrnambool 49 to 39, Judi Donaldson top scored with 19 points.
In 1965 the final payment was made on the hall and new toilets were installed at the rear of the building.
In 1966 150 players were registered across nine Men’s and eight Women’s Teams.
In 1968, Ashley Donaldson became Secretary and an outside court was added to the complex.
In 1969, the Y purchased two more old shops and adjacent land along Victoria Street.
In 1970 the competition grew to 270 registered participants.
In 1977 Eaglehawk Basketball went through a significant change moving to new premises in Napier Street Eaglehawk.
In the early 60’s a young Max Brisbane officiated many games in the Eaglehawk competition and recalls large crowds sitting courtside barracking for their teams.
The current Eaglehawk BA is still affiliated with BVC and operates a small senior ladies competition out of the St Liborius Stadium, 379 Eaglehawk Road Eaglehawk.