Warwick Senators

Last updated

Warwick Senators
Warwick Senators logo.jpg
Leagues NBL1 West
Founded1989
HistoryStirling Senators
1989–2018
Warwick Senators
2019–present
ArenaWarwick Stadium
Location Warwick, Western Australia
Team colorsGreen, blue, white
CEOJoshua Nipps
General managerMichael Norman
Head coachM: Andrew Cooper
W: Brad Robbins
Championships 2
Retired numbers2 (6, 42)
Website WarwickSenators.com.au

Warwick Senators 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 Churches of Christ Sport & Recreation Association (CCSRA) and serves as the major administrative basketball organisation in the City of Stirling. The Senators play their home games at Warwick Stadium.

Contents

Club history

Background

The creation of Stirling Basketball Association began in the late 1960s when a group of 15–17-year-old boys from the Tuart Hill Junior Basketball Club formed a new club because there was no clear pathway for them to continue their basketball careers in the Western Australian Senior District Basketball Competition. Introduced to the sport of basketball at Tuart Hill High School, the boys dominated the state's junior competitions through the 1960s and provided the bulk of the Western Australian junior state team representatives. At that time, Tuart Hill was a feeder club for the Perth Basketball Club, the leading senior club in Western Australian basketball. Limited selection meant that many boys would be left with the prospect of not having a senior career in basketball after dominating the sport in junior ranks. Led by Alan Simmonds, a number of boys from Tuart Hill approached the state association and proposed that a new district association be formed called the Stirling Basketball Association. The Stirling proposal was based on the incorporation of the Tuart Hill Boys and Norths Girls junior basketball clubs. The proposal was accepted and Stirling Basketball Association was formed in 1971, providing a pathway for all Tuart Hill boys' and Norths girls' basketball players to enter the Western Australian Basketball Association senior competitions under the Stirling name. [1]

The Senators men won the John Leonard Perpetual Shield four times. John Leonard Perpetual Shield.jpg
The Senators men won the John Leonard Perpetual Shield four times.

Nicknamed the Senators, the inaugural Stirling 'A' Grade District men's team competed for the first time in the 1972 season. While Simmonds became the first Club President and team captain, Colin James from New South Wales became the team's first head coach. [1] In 1974, the Senators men reached the grand final, where they lost to Swan Districts by 13 points. The following year, the team again made the grand final, this time winning 69–68 over Perth to claim their maiden premiership. [1] Between 1974 and 1987, the Senators men competed in ten A-Grade grand finals, where they won four premierships (1975, 1978, 1981 and 1982). Additionally, the Senators women competed in eight A-Grade grand finals, where they won five premierships (1974, 1981, 1984, 1985 and 1988). [2] [3]

1978 proved a milestone year as the club was selected to represent Western Australia in the National Australian Club Championships. This competition was a precursor to the NBL. [1] At the 1978 Australian Club Championships in Adelaide, the Senators were the surprise team of the championships. While expected to lose early in the qualifying rounds, the team reached the final to become the first Western Australian team to do so. There they lost to the highly-credentialed Nunawading Spectres led by Bill Palmer and Alan Black, despite leading by a point at half time. [1]

SBL and NBL1 West

NBL1 Championship Trophies, National (left) and West (right), won by the Senators women in 2022 2022 NBL1 Women Championship Trophies.jpg
NBL1 Championship Trophies, National (left) and West (right), won by the Senators women in 2022

1989 saw the formation of the State Basketball League (SBL) with both a men's and women's competition. Stirling, trading as the Senators, entered a team into both the Men's SBL and Women's SBL. [4]

In 1990, the men's team played in their first and only MSBL Grand Final, losing 114–91 to the Perth Redbacks. [5] The women's team claimed the minor premiership in 1990 with a first-place finish a 20–4 record [4] before going on to lose the WSBL Grand Final 70–67 to the Wanneroo Wolves. [5] In 1993, the women returned to the WSBL Grand Final, where they lost 68–51 to the Swan City Mustangs. [5]

In 1994, the women's team played in their third WSBL Grand Final and won their maiden championship with a 72–59 win over the Perry Lakes Hawks. [5] The team was led by coach Kim Redshaw and centre Fiona Robinson. [6]

In 2007, the women's team won their second minor premiership with a 20–2 record before reaching their fourth WSBL Grand Final, [7] where they lost 66–40 to the Perry Lakes Hawks. [8]

In 2012, Stirling Basketball Association came under the umbrella of the Churches of Christ Sport & Recreation Association (CCSRA). [9] In 2019, the club rebranded from the Stirling Senators to the Warwick Senators. [10]

In the 2019 season, the women's team reached the WSBL Grand Final, [11] where they lost 85–56 to the Rockingham Flames. [12]

In 2020, the men's team finished as minor premiers in the amateur-based West Coast Classic. [13] They reached the grand final, where they defeated the Perry Lakes Hawks 96–81. It marked the men's team's first-ever title. [14]

In 2021, the SBL was rebranded as NBL1 West. [15] [16]

In 2022, the women's team finished as minor premiers with an 18–2 record and reached the NBL1 West Grand Final, where they defeated the Willetton Tigers 87–61 to win their first championship in 28 years. [17] [18] At the NBL1 National Finals, the Senators went undefeated and won the NBL National championship after defeating the Ringwood Hawks 83–75 in the grand final. [19] The team was led by coach Jonelle Morley and guard Stacey Barr. [20]

Notable club figures

Senators banners and retired jersey numbers
Stirling Senators banner.jpg
Senators' Warwick Stadium banner, November 2016
Stirling Senators retired numbers.jpg
Ellis's and Olowoyo's retired jersey numbers, July 2018

In July 2014, the Senators retired Mike Ellis' No. 6 jersey. Ellis began playing for Stirling in 1974 at the age of 17, going on to contribute at every level including coaching and serving in leadership roles. [21]

In July 2018, the Senators retired Carmie Olowoyo's No. 42 jersey. Olowoyo played over 260 games for the Senators, beginning his career in 1995 before ending his career in 2010. [22] [23]

Accolades

Women

Men

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NBL1 West</span>

NBL1 West, formerly the State Basketball League (SBL), is a semi-professional basketball league in Western Australia, comprising both a men's and women's competition. In 2020, Basketball Western Australia partnered with the National Basketball League (NBL) to bring NBL1 to Western Australia. NBL1 replaced the former SBL to create more professional pathways and opportunities for males and females playing basketball in Western Australia. As a result, the SBL became the west conference of NBL1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goldfields Giants</span> Basketball team in Western Australia

Goldfields Giants is an NBL1 West club based in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. The club fields a team in both the Men's and Women's NBL1 West. The team is affiliated with Kalgoorlie-Boulder Basketball Association (KBBA), the major administrative basketball organisation in the region. The Giants play their home games at Niels Hansen Basketball Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South West Slammers</span> Basketball team in Bunbury, Western Australia

South West Slammers is an NBL1 West club based in Bunbury, Western Australia. The club fields a team in both the Men's and Women's NBL1 West. The Slammers play their home games at Eaton Recreation Centre and represent Western Australia's South West region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perth Redbacks</span> Basketball team in Belmont, Western Australia

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perry Lakes Hawks</span> Basketball team in Floreat, Western Australia

Perry Lakes Hawks 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 Perry Lakes Basketball Association (PLBA), the major administrative basketball organisation in Perth's western suburbs. The Hawks play their home games at Bendat Basketball Centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lakeside Lightning</span> Australian basketball club

Lakeside Lightning 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 owned and managed by Lakeside Baptist Church. The Lightning play their home games at Lakeside Recreation Centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joondalup Wolves</span> Basketball team in Joondalup, Western Australia

Joondalup Wolves 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 Wanneroo Basketball Association (WBA), the major administrative basketball organisation in the Joondalup/Wanneroo region. The Wolves play their home games at HBF Arena.

Bradley Robbins is an Australian basketball coach and former player who is most known for his time spent in the National Basketball League (NBL) with the Perth Wildcats. He currently serves as an assistant coach with the Perth Lynx of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). He is also the head coach of the Warwick Senators women's team in the NBL1 West.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willetton Tigers</span> Basketball club based in Willetton, Western Australia

Willetton Tigers 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 Willetton Basketball Association (WBA), the major administrative basketball organisation in the Melville/Canning region. The Tigers play their home games at Willetton Basketball Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Perth Eagles</span> Basketball team in Morley, Western Australia

East Perth Eagles 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 East Perth District Basketball Association (EPDBA), the major administrative basketball organisation in Perth's north eastern suburbs. The Eagles play their home games at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geraldton Buccaneers</span> Basketball team in Geraldton, Western Australia

The Geraldton Buccaneers, also known as the Buccs, are an Australian basketball team based in Geraldton, Western Australia. The Buccaneers compete in the Men's NBL1 West and play their home games at Activewest Stadium. The team is affiliated with Geraldton Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), the major administrative basketball organisation in the region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalamunda Eastern Suns</span> Basketball team in Lesmurdie, Western Australia

Kalamunda Eastern Suns 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 Kalamunda & Districts Basketball Association (KDBA), the major administrative basketball organisation in Perth's eastern region. The Suns play their home games at Ray Owen Sports Centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rockingham Flames</span> Basketball team in Rockingham, Western Australia

Rockingham Flames 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 the Rockingham Basketball and Recreation Association (RBRA), the major administrative basketball organisation in the region. The Flames play their home games at Mike Barnett Sports Complex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandurah Magic</span> Basketball team in Mandurah, Western Australia

Mandurah Magic is an NBL1 West club based in Mandurah, Western Australia. The club fields a team in both the Men's and Women's NBL1 West. The club is a division of Mandurah Basketball Association (MBA), the major administrative basketball organisation in the region. The Magic play their home games at Mandurah Aquatic & Recreation Centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stacey Barr</span> Australian rules footballer and basketball player

Stacey Barr is an Australian rules footballer and basketball player. She has played for the Fremantle Football Club in the AFL Women's competition, and has played in the Women's National Basketball League for the Perth Lynx.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swan City Mustangs</span> Basketball team in Midvale, Western Australia

Swan City Mustangs was a State Basketball League (SBL) club based in Perth, Western Australia. The club fielded a team in both the Men's SBL (MSBL) and Women's SBL (WSBL). The club was a division of the now-defunct Swan Districts Basketball Association (SDBA), the major administrative basketball organisation in the City of Swan. The Mustangs played their home games at Swan Park Leisure Centre.

The NBL1 West Grand Final Most Valuable Player is an annual NBL1 West award given to the best performing player in both the Women's Grand Final and Men's Grand Final. Known as the State Basketball League (SBL) Grand Final Most Valuable Player from 1996 to 2019, the SBL was rebranded to NBL1 West in 2021.

The 2019 WSBL season was the 31st season of the Women's State Basketball League (SBL). The regular season began on Friday 15 March, with round 1 seeing a 2018 grand final rematch between the Lakeside Lightning and Mandurah Magic. The 2019 WSBL All-Star Game was played on 3 June at Bendat Basketball Centre – the home of basketball in Western Australia. The regular season ended on Saturday 27 July. The finals began on Friday 2 August and ended on Friday 30 August, when the Rockingham Flames defeated the Warwick Senators in the WSBL Grand Final.

The 2008 WSBL season was the 20th season of the Women's State Basketball League (SBL). The regular season began on Friday 28 March and ended on Saturday 2 August. The finals began on Friday 8 August and ended on Friday 5 September, when the Perry Lakes Hawks defeated the Willetton Tigers in the WSBL Grand Final.

The 2021 NBL1 West season was the inaugural season of the NBL1 West. After 32 years known as the State Basketball League (SBL), the league was rebranded under the NBL1 banner for 2021. The regular season began on Friday 16 April and ended on Saturday 14 August. The finals began on Friday 20 August and concluded with the women's grand final on Friday 3 September and the men's grand final on Saturday 4 September.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "ABOUT US". StirlingSenators.com.au. Archived from the original on 15 March 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  2. McDonald's State Basketball League Fixtures 1988. Western Australian Basketball Federation (Inc.). 1988.
  3. McDonald's State Basketball League Handbook 1989. Western Australian Basketball Federation (Inc.). 1989.
  4. 1 2 "2015 SBL Media Guide". SBL.asn.au. p. 57. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Past Champions". SBL.asn.au. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  6. "1994 Stirling Senators Women". SBL.asn.au. Archived from the original on 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  7. "2007 SBL season". SBL.asn.au. Archived from the original on 2 September 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  8. Smith, Megan (1 October 2007). "Local Sports Roundup 72". outinperth.com. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  9. "Policy Document Stirling Senators Governance and Management". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
  10. "Senators Rebrand 2019". senatorsbasketball.com.au. 31 January 2019. Archived from the original on 19 March 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  11. "DAGOSTINO HOPES IT'S THIRD TIME LUCKY AS COACH". SBL.asn.au. 29 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  12. "GRAND FINAL SPOTLIGHT | DEEP FLAMES TOO HOT FOR SENATORS". SBL.asn.au. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  13. "SEMI-FINAL MEN'S WEST COAST CLASSIC PREVIEW". SBL.asn.au. 25 September 2020. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020.
  14. "DEEP SENATORS TOO MUCH AS WARWICK WINS FIRST BANNER". SBL.asn.au. 28 September 2020. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020.
  15. "NBL1 West to tip off in 2021". NBL1.com.au. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  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. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  17. "WARWICK SENATORS CROWNED NBL1 WEST CHAMPIONS". nbl1.com.au. 2 September 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  18. "NBL1 West Recap | Women's Grand Final". nbl1.com.au. 2 September 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  19. "NBL1 National Finals Recap | Women's Championship Game". nbl1.com.au. 11 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  20. "Coaching the best women's team in the Country". NBL1.com.au. 8 March 2023. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023.
  21. Van Houwelingen, Laura (23 July 2014). "Senators to honour #6 Mike Ellis". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  22. "SENATORS RETIRE OLOWOYO'S JERSEY NUMBER". sbl.asn.au. 27 July 2018. Archived from the original on 31 July 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  23. "Carmie Olowoyo Jersey Retirement". StirlingSenators.com.au. 30 July 2018. Archived from the original on 12 August 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2018.