Perth Redbacks

Club history

Background

Perth Basketball Association (PBA) was established in 1964 as Perth Basketball Club. The club nickname was originally the Demons. Perth's men's team won two titles in the 1960s which was followed by titles in 1972, 1973, 1976 and 1977. The women's team won a premiership in 1975.

SBL / NBL1 West

1989 saw the formation of the State Basketball League (SBL) with both a men's and women's competition. Perth, trading as the Redbacks, entered a team into both the Men's SBL and Women's SBL. The Redbacks women finished the inaugural season in second place with a 14–7 record and went on to reach the grand final, where they defeated the Perry Lakes Hawks 79–66 to win the championship. The men's team finished the inaugural season in third place with a 17–5 record and also reached the grand final, where they defeated the Geraldton Buccaneers 114–89 to win the championship. Both teams were coached by Don Sheppard, who subsequently won the SBL Coach of the Year Award for both the women's division and men's division. In 1990, the men's team returned to the grand final, where they defended their title with a 114–91 win over the Stirling Senators. Sheppard was named MSBL Coach of the Year for the second straight season. Future NBA player Luc Longley was a member of the Redbacks' back-to-back championship squads. In 1991, the women's team returned to the grand final and lost 79–66 to the Swan City Mustangs.

In 1997, the Redbacks men finished on top of the ladder with a 19–5 record and went on to reach the grand final, where they defeated Buccaneers 94–92 to win their third championship. In 1999, the men's team returned to the grand final and lost 89–73 to the Bunbury City Slammers. In 2000, the women's team finished the regular season in second place with a 15–5 record and went on to reach the grand final, where they defeated the previously unbeaten Perry Lakes Hawks 74–66 to win their second championship. In 2001, the women's team returned to the grand final and lost 74–58 to the Hawks.

In 2017, the men's team finished the regular season in fourth place with a 16–10 record and went to reach the grand final, where they defeated the Joondalup Wolves 103–70 to win the fourth championship. The team featured forwards Shawn Redhage and Lee Roberts.

In 2021, the SBL was rebranded as NBL1 West.

Accolades

Women

• Championships: 2 (1989, 2000)
• Grand Final appearances: 4 (1989, 1991, 2000, 2001)
• Minor premierships: Nil

Men

• Championships: 4 (1989, 1990, 1997, 2017)
• Grand Final appearances: 5 (1989, 1990, 1997, 1999, 2017)
• Minor premierships: 1 (1997)

References

References

1. (18 May 2023). "Basketball legend Joel Wagner on the retirement of his jersey.". Eric Paul Goldie.
2. (19 May 2023). "NBL1 West Recap | Friday Round 8". nbl1.com.au.
3. "Life Members". Perth Basketball Association.
4. "30th Anniversary - A Brief History By Brad Cecins".
5. "FLASHBACK 4: August, 1977, ABM". botinagy.com.
6. "History". PerthRedbacks.asn.au.
7. "WSBL History". SBL.asn.au.
8. "MSBL History". SBL.asn.au.
9. "AWARDS HISTORY". SBL.asn.au.
10. (15 July 2014). "Redbacks hit 50". CommunityNews.com.
11. (2 September 2000). "Redbacks upset LadyHawks to win WSBL championship". GoldenCity.com.au.
12. (31 August 2017). "REDBACKS GROUP BECOMES A REALITY IN TIME FOR GRAND FINAL". SBL.asn.au.
13. (2 September 2017). "REDBACKS TURN IT ON TO END SBL CHAMPIONSHIP DROUGHT IN STYLE". SBL.asn.au.
14. (3 September 2017). "Redhage leads Perth Redbacks to SBL championship". Aussie Hoopla.
15. (30 October 2020). "NBL1 West to tip off in 2021". NBL1.com.au.
16. Garlepp, Josh. (30 October 2020). "State Basketball League to become NBL 1 West as WA clubs agree to unite under national second-tier banner". TheWest.com.au.