Basketball On The Internet.

*FLASHBACKS, my weekly "lucky dip" where I just reach into my drawers of old Australian basketball stuff and transcribe whatever I find for you.

DON’T know how this will pan out because this week I have pulled out the District and Metropolitan Amateur Basketball Association Incorporated Annual Report of 1966-1967.

I’m not even sure where that came from, to be honest. But there you go. While I was typing it up, I got to the Woollacott Medal section and realised quickly why a copy of this still existed. (You’ll see what I mean.) This report was presented to the Annual General Meeting of the D&MABA – which controlled basketball in Adelaide at the time – on March 20, 1967.

SECRETARY’S REPORT 1966-1967

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Records are made to be broken in the District and Metropolitan Amateur Basketball Association and the year under review was no exception.

Membership reached an all-time high with 460 teams, an increase of 75 teams between Winter and Summer.  Such increases create individual problems but the D&MABA was founded on challenge and revels in solving the destiny of an ever-growing organisation.

Weekly TV and radio programs, regular newspaper coverage, improved public relations and the strongest club competition in Australia has raised the basketball image to the forefront of sport bin South Australia. Much thought and wisdom is contained in our weekly budget.

District headquarters were rearranged for greater efficiency, with separate offices for the Secretary, Treasurer and Mrs Brand and the Management Committee’s decision to carpet the whole office has impressed clients and business associates. Mrs Brand’s fulltime appointment is another sign of progress.

A new Life Members lounge will provide a haven from which administrators with lifetime devotion to the District Association can relax and witness in comfort all future activities in the Forestville Stadium.

The State Association, United Church, Church of Christ and Schoolboys Associations again used our stadium facilities.

The Management Committee, under the guidance and chairmanship of our President, Sandy Hamilton, worked conscientiously in the best interests of the Association and its affiliated clubs.

A new Constitution was adopted to facilitate large scale business transactions envisaged in the years ahead. The Management Committee’s decision to concentrate on the erection of a 5,000 spectator stadium at Richmond this year was heralded by Association members and the general public.

It is exasperating to hear critics begrudge the District Association of making money. Ever since the Association was founded in n1951, every penny earned has been used to provide better facilities. South Australians pay less for their basketball than any other state. A healthy balance sheet is essential to progress.

District Premiers

South Adelaide again proved the outstanding team in the District competition when they defeated A.S.K. to annexe the 1966 Winter premiership. The Panthers have been at the helm of District basketball for a long time and they have worn their crown well. We offer sincere congratulations. A.S.K. proved worthy opponents and they too have a fine record of achievement dating back to 1951. We commend their action in bringing “Ziggy” Kauls from the U.S.A. to lift their club.

West Adelaide annexed the top junior Under 18 premiership and we congratulate them on reaching another milestone in their basketball career. We also congratulate west (under 18B), West (Under 16A), Norwood (Under 16B), South (Under 14) and South (Under 12).

Adelaide won their first District women’s premiership, defeating North Adelaide who have reigned supreme for many seasons. The win was a triumph for the club and their coach Jim Madigan, and we congratulate them on their success.

South East Conference Games

South Adelaide and North Adelaide made their presence felt in the South Eastern Conference games, with the Panthers runners-up to Victorian Church, the outright winners.

Gilt Edge Tournament

It is pleasing to report that Norwood gained their first success in the annual Gilt Edge Tournament after defeating West Torrens. We congratulate the club and their coach, Les Hody, the inspiration behind the Demons upsurge. We thank the makers of Gilt Edge for their continued support.

Woollacott Medal

Olympic and West Adelaide basketballer Werner Linde annexed the coveted Woollacott Medal for the fairest and most brilliant District player and we congratulate him on his achievement. His magnificent goalthrowing rival was Algy Ignatavicius, one of the all-time greats in Australian basketball. Albert Leslie (United Church) won the Kays Trophy and the Amateur Sports Club annual War Memorial Medal for the best District and State player under 21 years. Sixteen-year-old Magdalena Nagy (Norwood-Budapest) was the youngest player ever to win the Halls Medal for the best and fairest district woman player, bringing further glory to the most talented basketball family in Australia.

Overseas Teams

Highlights of the season were visits from American teams San Jose State and Venture for Victory, the strongest overseas teams to tour Australia since the American-Lithuanian visit of 1964. District players gained valuable experience in those games.

Under 18 Women’s Championship

The first Australian Women’s Under-18 Championship was held at Forestville during the year and District supplied all the SA players except Maree Goldsworthy (Southern Yorke) and Maria Owen (Port Augusta). We congratulate the girls and their coach Jim Madigan.

Country Carnival

The 1966-67 annual Country Carnival at Forestville reached the highest standard yet recorded and we congratulate the winners Woomera (men) and Southern Yorke (women).

State Selection

District again supplied all the players in the state men’s, women’s and junior boys divisions. The state men’s team fully extended Victoria in the final of the Australian Open but our women and two junior boys teams finished third. We congratulate Scott Davie, Michael Ahmatt, Joe Clarke, Mike Dancis, Dean Whitford, Albert Leslie, Werner Linde and Geza Nagy in retaining their positions in the side. Mike Megins, Doug Romain and Dave Kosh made promising debuts and John Horsell regained a position he lost in Queensland. Bob Hannam broke a wrist after selection.

We congratulate our women’s players Pat Rowe, Jean Marshall, Joan Townsend and Jackie Tedmanson on their selection in the Australian team to contest the world series in Prague. Pat Alexander’s appointment as manager of the team is a fitting reward for her service to basketball.

Burglary

A burglary at Forestville was the year’s biggest disappointment and our players and officials should be grateful that they are sportsmen far removed from a selfish minority who stooped so low as to purloin monies donated to assist our compatriots in Tasmania who suffered severe losses in the Hobart Bushfires. Prompt action by the Police Department and Detective Tom Ferguson, an old South District player, apprehended those responsible and they will learn that crime does not pay. District players and officials will remedy this wrong in a lightning basketball premiership which should more than restore the stolen Bushfire Appeal money.

Future

A stadium at Richmond is essential to keep abreast of membership and the ultimate would be to open a new stadium with the Harlem Globetrotters next January. Mr Bert Baulderstone, a well-known sporting identity and Rotarian, is interested in our project and his advice will be invaluable.

H.F. Angove
Secretary