HERITAGE ROUND SPOTLIGHT: STURT CELEBRATES 40 YEARS SINCE FIRST MEN’S PREMIERSHIP

This Heritage Round, the Sturt Sabres are throwing it back to 1985 — a year that etched its name in club history forever.

Back then, the club was known as the Sturt Pioneers, and they were chasing something they’d never had: a men’s championship. After heartbreaking runner-up finishes in 1980 and 1981 — both at the hands of the West Adelaide Bearcats — 1985 became the year Sturt turned the tide.

Serious underdogs heading into the grand final, the Pioneers had fallen heavily to West Adelaide in the semi-final, 109–80. But they bounced back with a gutsy 89–82 win over North Adelaide in the prelim, setting the stage for a rematch result not many predicted, as noted in the preview for the ANZ Bank State Basketball League 'Tap In'.

In a newspaper excerpt penned by basketball journalist Boti Nagy after the grand final, the match was described as an arm wrestle, with Sturt holding the lead but constantly fending off West’s fightbacks.

“In three minutes of the most brilliant basketball the club has produced,” Nagy wrote, “it wrenched the lead back and with fast breaks, flailing dunks and super grit powered to an 83–69 lead.”

West continued to battle but the Pioneers claimed their first premiership 90-82.

Now, 40 years later, that history is being honoured in style. This Sunday the Sabres will wear a throwback jersey inspired by the one worn in 1985, a nod to the Pioneers who paved the way.

For current NBL1 player Madi Fleming, the occasion carries extra weight. Her uncle, Michael Rule, was part of that legendary championship team.

“Hearing stories from Uncle Michael about his playing days has been pretty cool,” Madi said. “To now wear the same jersey he did in Sturt’s first-ever championship — it’s pretty special. I’m not the only one in the team with ties to the club’s history either. Our assistant coach, Michelle Gillings, also has a connection to that premiership team and has given so much to Sturt over the years. Same with the Mathews family — I could go on. It really shows how strong the sense of legacy is here. It’s great the club is recognising its history and the people who helped shape it.”

The Sabres hope the spirit of 1985 — that underdog mentality, that never-say-die grit — will inspire the current men’s team as they take the court in the Pioneers jersey sthis Sunday at Springbank. And it couldn’t come at a bigger moment: they’ll be facing none other than the premiership favourites, the Forestville Eagles.

The women's squad also has a tough task ahead, taking on a strong Forestville team in what promises to be a hard-fought contest between two talented lineups.

From underdogs to champions — and now, from pioneers to Sabres — the legacy lives on. This Heritage Round is more than just a nod to the past — it’s a celebration of club culture, connection, and belief in writing the next historic chapter.

As part of the celebrations, Sturt will be auctioning off the replica heritage jerseys, with all proceeds going to KickStart for Kids, supporting South Australian children in need. It’s a chance for fans to own a piece of history while helping make a difference.