Perth Redbacks
Basketball team in Belmont, Western Australia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Perth Redbacks is an NBL1 West club based in Perth, Western Australia. The club fields a team in both the Men's and Women's NBL1 West. The club is a division of Perth Basketball Association (PBA), the major administrative basketball organisation in Perth's eastern suburbs and across the CBD. The Redbacks play their home games at Belmont Oasis Leisure Centre.
| Perth Redbacks | |
|---|---|
| |
| Leagues | NBL1 West |
| Founded | 1989 |
| History | Perth Redbacks 1989–present |
| Arena | Belmont Oasis Leisure Centre |
| Location | Belmont, Western Australia |
| Team colors | Red, black, white |
| CEO | Ryan Lenegan |
| President | Anthony Nixon |
| Vice-president | Amien Sym |
| Head coach | M: Luke Sunderland W: Tim Rendulic |
| Championships | 6 |
| Retired numbers | 1 (10)[1][2] |
| Website | PerthRedbacks.asn.au |
Club history
Background
Perth Basketball Association (PBA) was established in 1964 as Perth Basketball Club.[3][4] The club nickname was originally the Demons.[5] 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.[6]
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.[7] 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.[8] 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.[9] 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.[8] Sheppard was named MSBL Coach of the Year for the second straight season.[9] Future NBA player Luc Longley was a member of the Redbacks' back-to-back championship squads.[10] In 1991, the women's team returned to the grand final and lost 79–66 to the Swan City Mustangs.[7]
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.[8][10] In 1999, the men's team returned to the grand final and lost 89–73 to the Bunbury City Slammers.[8] 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,[7] where they defeated the previously unbeaten Perry Lakes Hawks 74–66 to win their second championship.[11] In 2001, the women's team returned to the grand final and lost 74–58 to the Hawks.[7]
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,[8][12] where they defeated the Joondalup Wolves 103–70 to win the fourth championship. The team featured forwards Shawn Redhage and Lee Roberts.[13][14]
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)