How Sturt have succeeded

Feature image via: Dan Cowley

During Heritage Round, the NBL1 looks to celebrate every clubs’ history. One of the premier clubs across the country is the Sturt Sabres – a historically dominant club whose women’s and men’s teams both made the Preliminary Final last year.

It’s a very rare achievement to have both teams competing at the highest level, with only the  West’s Rockingham Flames and Central’s West Adelaide Bearcats winning championships in both the women’s and men’s divisions in the NBL1 era. 

During the week, NBL1 media spoke with Sturt’s President, Paul Bauer, on the history of the club and what their vision is going forward. 

Q: How long has the club existed?  

A: The Sturt Basketball Club’s origins began in 1960, when they entered district basketball in South Australia as the United Church Basketball Club (moving from the SA Church league). In 1972, they became the Sturt Pioneers, and in the early ‘90s, our name changed to the Sturt Sabres.

Q: What are some of the biggest achievements?  

A: We have a rich history in developing and producing elite basketballers – Brett Maher, Phil Smyth, Malcolm and John Heard, Laura Hodges, to name a few. For decades, we’ve also been one of the strongest junior basketball clubs, having strong representation in all major interstate tournaments, including a few national championship teams.  

Q: How have you cultivated such a rich and strong culture?

A: The focus has always been on the development of skills and fundamentals. We haven’t always had the tallest teams, but our focus on skills has allowed us to compete time and time again.

Q: What does it mean personally to have the entire family involved in the program?

A: My Dad and Uncle played for and were a part of United Church’s first senior men’s premiership. My Mum played senior basketball for Sturt, my sister, cousins, uncles, aunties have all played for Sturt. My wife and I met at Sturt when she played senior women’s basketball.

Today, two of my children play as well as my nieces and nephews. Sturt has always been part of my family and always will be – hence why I want to give back to a club that has given me so much enjoyment.    

Q: How do you maintain the clubs' competitiveness so well on both the women's and men's sides?  

A: Our senior teams have more junior players playing in them than any other district club in SA (by some margin too). Our competitiveness is driven by that focus on development, and many of the players have played basketball with each other for a really long period of time, which brings connection and drives a strong culture.

Q: What does the future hold for the Sabres?

A: Our focus will continue to be on development in our junior grades, and with our seniors, we will continue to enhance our programs, strengthen our culture, and invest continually into our service to all of our members to ensure their experience is as positive as mine has been.

The Sabres will host club rivals, the Forestville Eagles, on Sunday afternoon. Watch the games live and free from 1:00pm ACST via Kayo Freebies.