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.
| South West Slammers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leagues | NBL1 West |
| Founded | 1989 |
| History | Men: Souwest Slammers 1989–1994 Bunbury City Slammers 1995–2004 Bunbury Slammers 2005–2008 South West Slammers 2009–present Women: Souwest Slammers 1992–1994 Bunbury City Slammers 2000–2004 Bunbury Slammers 2005–2008 South West Slammers 2009–present |
| Arena | Eaton Recreation Centre |
| Location | Bunbury, Western Australia |
| Team colors | Red, blue, white |
| President | Sean Tilbrook |
| Vice-president(s) | Julieann Bissaker |
| Head coach | M: Jason Chalk W: Mark Edman |
| Championships | 5 |
| Retired numbers | 2 (10, 12)[1][2][3] |
| Website | SouthWestSlammers.com.au |
The club has gone through a number of name changes over the years.[4][5]
Club history
editMen's team
edit1989 saw the formation of the State Basketball League (SBL) with both a men's and women's competition. A team from Bunbury, known as the Slammers, entered the Men's SBL for its inaugural season. The Slammers were a dominant force in the first decade on the league, winning championships in 1995, 1996, 1998 and 1999, while also making grand final appearances in 1991 and 1992. However, after six grand final appearances and four championships in 11 years, the Slammers had an 11-year stretch without making the finals and an overall record of 46–225, which included two winless seasons and two years where they had just the one win.[6] The Slammers returned to the finals in 2013, 2014 and 2015, with 2015 culminating in a grand final loss to the Joondalup Wolves.[7][8][9]
Women's team
editIn 1992, a Slammers women's team entered the Women's SBL.[10] The team struggled over their first three seasons, as they finished in ninth place each year while registering a 6–14 record in both 1992 and 1993, and a 3–17 record in 1994.[11] The team subsequently exited the league following the 1994 season and had a five-year hiatus, returning in 2000. In 2012, after 15 seasons of not playing in the finals, the Slammers finished in third place with a 15–7 record.[11][12] They went on to reach the grand final, where they defeated the Rockingham Flames 85–48 to win their maiden championship.[13][14][15][16][17]
In 2021, the SBL was rebranded as NBL1 West.[18][19]
Coming into the 2024 season, the Slammers women had lost 32 straight matches and 73 of their last 74.[20]
Accolades
edit
Women
- Championships: 1 (2012)
- Grand Final appearances: 1 (2012)
- Minor premierships: Nil
Men
- Championships: 4 (1995, 1996, 1998, 1999)
- Grand Final appearances: 7 (1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2015)
- Minor premierships: 3 (1992, 1996, 1999)
References
edit- ^ Fris, Justin (4 August 2022). "NBL1 West 2022: South West Slammers to honour club icon James Fitch on Saturday night". swtimes.com.au. Archived from the original on 20 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ Johansen, Kasper (8 September 2022). "Unsung Heroes: From growing up in a 'race-divided' Mississippi to becoming a SW Slammers legend". swtimes.com.au. Archived from the original on 20 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ "Please join us this Saturday 18th May to Honour our long standing player / volunteer Aaron Edwards, as we pay tribute to his contribution to our great club". facebook.com/SouthWestSlammers. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
- ^ "MSBL History". SBL.asn.au. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020.
- ^ "WSBL History". SBL.asn.au. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020.
- ^ Pike, Chris (28 August 2015). "Men's SBL Grand Final Preview". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
- ^ Woodcock, Mitchell (28 August 2015). "SBL Grand Final: Slammers go hunting Wolves". Yahoo.com. The West Australian. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016.
- ^ Pike, Chris (28 August 2015). "Chance of fairy tale now a reality for Slammers and Ty". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
- ^ Pike, Chris (30 August 2015). "Wolves too good for Slammers to win third men's SBL championship". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
- ^ "FLASHBACK: The way they were". TheWest.com.au. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
- ^ a b "2015 SBL Media Guide". SportsTG.com. p. 53. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
- ^ Coleman, Hannah (2 August 2012). "Slammers set for first finals appearance (Women's quarter finals preview)". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
- ^ Coleman, Hannah (20 August 2012). "Slammers, Flames edge closer to history (Women's Semi-Final Wrap)". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
- ^ Coleman, Hannah (27 August 2012). "Slammers, Flames complete miracle turnaround (Women's semi-final wrap)". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
- ^ Coleman, Hannah (1 September 2012). "Slammers claim first championsihp [sic]". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
- ^ Marsh, Melissa (29 August 2012). "Grand Final feast for local hoops fans". PerthNow.com.au. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
- ^ Coleman, Hannah (1 September 2012). "South-West Slammers women create history with first title win". PerthNow.com.au. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
- ^ "NBL1 West to tip off in 2021". NBL1.com.au. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Recap NBL1 West | Round 1 Thursday". NBL1.com.au. 28 March 2024. Archived from the original on 29 March 2024.