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Basketball

STORIES OF OUR PIONEERS

Meet the trailblazers of SA Basketball. 

Carla Boyd

Carla Boyd was a key player in the Opals team through the 1990s that emerged as one of the best women’s basketball teams in the world.

Carolyn Tsakalos

One of the world’s most acclaimed basketball referees, Carolyn Tsakalos refereed her first game at age 14.

Jan Stirling

After coaching the Opals to their first ever World Cup gold medal in Brazil in 2006, Jan Stirling personally wrote to every former Opal thanking them for laying the foundations...

Jean Bain (Basketball)

Quietly spoken, Jean Bain was an astute, penetrating point guard for the Opals who never sought the limelight.

Jo Hill

At home, Jo Hill has in her possession, an Olympic silver medal, a FIBA World Cup bronze medal and a FIBA World Junior Cup gold medal – Australia’s first ever...

Julie Nykiel

One of the most dominant players of her time, Julie Nykiel won the WNBL’s MVP twice – in 1984 and 1988.

Laura Hodges

Laura Hodges is the owner of two Olympic Silver medals, one Olympic Bronze medal, and arguably greater than either of these, one World Cup gold medal.

Leeanne Grantham

Leeanne Grantham was awarded the Victorian Telstra Businesswoman of the Year after expanding the WNBL brand into unprecedented public exposure.

Lorraine Eiler

Lorraine Eiler was one of Australia’s early genuine superstars and was the first Australian female to earn a US College scholarship for basketball.

Marina Moffa

Dual Olympian, Marina Moffa was a dominant force as a power forward in the WNBL and for the national team at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics.

Michelle Brogan

Michelle Brogan retired from basketball with one Olympic Games silver and one bronze medal, plus two World Cup bronze medals.

Pat Mickan

Pat Mickan grew up in the Riverland of South Australia and would ultimately be named to Australian teams for basketball and netball.

Pat Moore

Pat Moore’s particular passion for women’s basketball, began in 1957 and extended until 1982. That’s 25 years of leadership of the women’s game.

Pat Rowe

Pat Rowe helped SA to six national titles through the 1960s-70s. She also captained the 1971 world championship Opals.

Rachael Sporn

Rachael Sporn is a triple Olympian with three Olympic medals: 2004 Athens Olympics - Silver Medal, 2000 Sydney Olympics - Silver Medal, 1996 Atlanta Olympics - Bronze Medal.

Steph Talbot

Steph Talbot was named in the World All Star Five at the FIBA World Cup in 2022 in Sydney. It was a recognition of her formidable skills at both ends...

Sue Hobbs

An innovator and trailblazer, Sue Hobbs was the first captain of the Australian women’s wheelchair basketball team.

timeline

Victorious Opals FIBA Asian Cup - Source: Basketball Australia

MODERN TIMES

  • In April 2025, the Australian Basketball Players’ Association signed a four-year Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Women’s National Basketball League.
  • It was agreed that the WNBL’s salary cap will rise by 8% year-on-year, delivering a material pay rise for female players.
  • The 2026/27 Salary Cap for each WNBL team is approximately $620,000. 
  • By the 2028/29 season, the Cap will rise to approximately $723,000.
  • The minimum wage for the 2026/27 season is approximately $35,000.
  • Following a huge 2026 pay increase in the WNBA, SA’s best players currently earn approximately $550,000-$650,000 annually by playing back-to-back seasons in Australia and the US.

RECORDS. MILESTONES. MOMENTS.

Australia sent its first women’s (or men’s) team to the 1957 world championship in Brazil. SA’s starting 5 are all selected: Bronte Cockburn (age 15 on selection), Gaynor Flannagan, Pat Hoban, Eril Homburg, and Lorraine McGuire. Coach Vern Thomas and Manager Joy Sheridan were also from SA.

In July 1955, the first Australian women’s championships were held in Melbourne. SA won the first of eight consecutive national championships: 1955-1962.

Erin Phillips, Laura Hodges, Jenni Screen and head coach Jan Stirling were the South Australian members of the Opals’ World Cup gold medal team in 2006.

HISTORICAL TIMELINE

Three of the SA players - Gaynor Flannagan, Lorraine Eiler and Eril Homburg - representing Australia at the 1957 World Championships in Brazil - Source: Family of Eril Homburg
The full SA contingent for the 1957 World Championships – Joy Sheridan (delegate), Pat Hoban, Gay Flannagan, Lorraine Eiler, Bronte Coburn, Eril Homburg - Source: Family of Eril Homburg

1890's

  • The Advertiser reports in 1897 on the first game in Australia between YMCA and a visiting Mormon Church held in Adelaide. “The game had run through the US like wildfire …. and with a little amendment to the rules, the gentler sex can play it without danger.”

1930's

  • Noel Woollacott starts a Women’s Competition in 1936. By 1937, there were over 1000 men and women playing at the OBI in Franklin St. Businesses – John Martins, Holdens – supported teams of both genders.

1940's

  • Visiting Americans – Mormons and US Navy personnel – introduced new concepts: man to man defence and the fast break.

1950's

  • The game was spreading like wildfire around Australia through advertising and word of mouth. Women from netball, in particular, gravitated to the game.
  • July 1955, the first Australian championships were held in Melbourne. SA won the first of eight consecutive national championships.
  • Locally, the Vikings were the powerhouse team of the 1950s and early 60s. The team – made up of SA and Australian players – did not lose for several years.
  • The team started at OBI and then moved to Forestville in 1959 where they continued to dominate, winning titles in 1959,1960, 1962 and 1963, losing to North Adelaide in 1961.
  • Australia sends its first men’s or women’s team to the 1957 world championship in Brazil. SA’s starting 5 are all selected:
    • Bronte Cockburn (age 15 on selection),
    • Gaynor Flannagan,
    • Pat Hoban,
    • Eril Homburg,
    • Lorraine McGuire,
    • and Coach Vern Thomas and Manager Joy Sheridan from SA.
  • Some players selected were unable to go because of the costs involved and time away from work.
  • The players referred to their coach as “Mr Thomas.”
The first Opals team for the 1957 World Championships in Brazil - Source: Basketball Australia

1960's

  • North Adelaide’s Sylvia White (above) was appointed captain of SA at the age of 33, for the 1963 Australian Women’s Basketball Championships in Perth. Syliva White was also an outstanding track and field athlete winning state titles in shot put and discus.
  • North Adelaide women compete in the first of 12 consecutive Grand Finals to 1972 and then compete in a further 13 consecutive Grand Finals from 1979 to 1991.
  • South Australian women win a record-breaking 8th Australian Women’s Championship in a row (1955 – 1962).
  • A decade after the first Opals team, the next Opals team was selected for the 1967 world championships in Czechoslovakia. SA’s Jean Bain, Pat Rowe and manager Pat Moore were selected.
  • The Apollo Stadium was built in 1969 with 3000 seating for basketball and concerts. Apollo was the name of the spacecraft that flew and landed on the moon that year.
Source: Basketball SA History
SA’s State 1965 women’s team - Source: Glynis Bauer

1970's

  • The Australian Club Championships commenced, giving Australia’s leading 24 teams a chance to claim the title as the nation’s best club team.
  • SA’s legendary coach, Merv Harris was appointed the Opals coach for the 1971 worlds in Brazil. Jean Bain, Glenys Bauer, Pat Rowe and Rosa Verszeletti (originally from Queensland) were selected from SA. 
  • Glenys Bauer (below) remembers the fitness programs leading into the world championships of 1975. “We did a lot of running around Victoria Park Racecourse and heaps of skipping. Dad gave me a brick and made me jump 10 times to help increase my elevation. And we also ran the stairs at Forestville (Stadium) a lot.” 
  • Glenys Bauer was inducted into Basketball SA’s Hall of Fame in 2026.
  • SA’s Jim Madigan took over from Merv Harris for the 1975 worlds in Colombia. The contingent of six players from SA was indeed powerful:
    • Ilze Nagy,
    • Jenny Cheesman,
    • Jan Stirling,
    • Jill Hammond,
    • Sue Harcus, and
    • Anne Misiewicz. 
  • Ilze Nagy, a sharpshooter and powerful rebounder would much later join her husband, Boti Nagy, as the only wife-and-husband duo to be inducted into the Basketball SA Hall of Fame. Such was the duration of her dominance, Ilze won the Halls Medal as the best women’s player in SA in 1973 and 1984.
  • (Boti Nagy would be inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021 for his longtime media coverage of basketball in SA. He was considered by many as the premier basketball journalist in Australia.)
  • Terry Aston was state senior women’s coach for six years winning two national championships. He also became South Australia’s director of coaching, and acting Australia director of coaching.
  • Apart from later being appointed simultaneously as Australian captains, another unique occurrence in 1978 was that Jenny Cheesman & Phil Smyth (married) both won the respective medals for SA basketball – the Halls and Woollacott medals.
Glenys Bauer - Source: Glenys Bauer

1980's

  • A full time General Manager appointed to the District Basketball Association 
  • WNBL starts in 1981 with West Adelaide, North Adelaide and Noarlunga as South Australia’s representative teams. Ted Powell, Kay McFarlane and Brendan Flynn being instrumental in the formation of the WNBL.
  • The league is very influential in raising the level of play across Australia and within the Opals.
  • SA’s Brendan Flynn takes over from SA’s Jim Madigan as coach of the Opals. Jenny Cheesman, Julie Nykiel, Marina Moffa, Donna Quinn and Pat Mickan are named in Opals team for the 84 LA Olympics.
  • Seoul Olympic Games SA’s Phil Smyth and Jenny Cheesman appointed Captains of their respective teams. Geoff Weeks becomes the first South Australian Referee to be appointed to an Olympic Games.
  • Jenny Cheesman, Julie Nykiel, Marina Moffa, Donna Quinn and Pat Mickan are named in Opals team for the Seoul Olympics.

1990's

  • North Adelaide Rockets win the 1990 WNBL Championship title – becoming the first SA team to win the title – with Donna Brown named as grand final MVP. 
  • The Rockets also win a record breaking fourth consecutive SA premiership. 1988-1991. The team was later inducted into the BSA Hall of Fame.
  • Powerhouse Stadium was built to International Standards costing $16million with a 8000 seating capacity 
  • FIBA Women’s World Championships Qualifying rounds hosted in Adelaide in 1994. 
  • 1994: Adelaide Lightning wins the WNBL Title in front of 7000 spectators, a then record attendance for a women’s game played in Australia. 
  • 1995: Adelaide Lightning win WNBL
  • 1996: Adelaide Lightning win WNBL title. Carla Boyd, Michelle Brogan and Rachael Sporn are named in the Opals team for the Atlanta Olympics. Australia win bronze.
  • 1996: Merv Harris inducted into the BSA Hall of Fame. Lorraine Eiler was inducted the following year with Jean Bain and Pat Rowe inducted in 1998. 
  • 1998: Adelaide Lightning win WNBL Title. The team is inducted into the Basketball SA Hall of Fame.
  • 1998: Colonel Light Gardens Stadium burns down.

2000's

  • The 2000 Sydney Olympic Games hosted practice games played in Adelaide by various countries. SA contributes four players to the Opals – Rachael Sporn, Jo Hill, Michelle Brogan, Carla Boyd – winning a silver medal.
  • 2004 Sporn is the only SA Olympian for the Athens Games. Opals win silver.
  • Vicki Kelson wins a record fourth Halls Medal for Fairest and Most Brilliant Player.
  • Basketball Association of South Australia dissolved due to financial reasons leading to private ownership of Adelaide 36ers and Adelaide Lightning. 
  • Adelaide Lightning acquired by private ownership.
  • Adelaide Lightning was on sold to another private ownership group
  • Basketball South Australia (BSA) commences running of Basketball in South Australia.
  • Australian women’s basketball reaches its zenith. The Opals win the 2006 FIBA World Cup in Brazil. SA’s Laura Hodges and Erin Phillips (see AFL feature story) celebrate in the brilliance of the extraordinary occasion. Jenni Screen recruited by the Lightning from Melbourne, was also a member. SA’s Jan Stirling is the coach.
  • Adelaide Lightning win WNBL, coached by Vicki Daldy with leading players Erin Phillips, Renae Camino and captain Sam Woosnam.
  • Beijing Olympics and SA sees the rise of Erin Phillips and Laura Hodges as regular Opals’ selections. Opals win the Olympic Games silver medal.
Opals 2006 Gold Medal Victory - Source: Basketball Australia

2010's

  • 2012 Olympics in London and Opals take bronze. SA’s Laura Summerton and Abby Bishop are members, as well as Lightning’s interstate recruits Suzy Batkovic and Jenni Screen.
  • Basketball SA rebrands the State League to Premier League in 2015.
  • In 2018, SA Country’s Vice President at the time, Beth Searle, received an Order of Australia Medal for her contribution to sport, and particularly to SA Country Basketball and the Mount Gambier basketball communities. Beth’s contributions to basketball spanned more than 50 years and her enduring volunteer work has markedly improved the sport overall in SA.
  • Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games – Steph Talbot makes her first Opals Olympic team.
  • Cayla George also is selected for the first time in an Olympic team while Laura Hodges plays in her third Olympics and Erin Phillips in her second. Australia is fifth.
  • In 2010, the WNBL dominant team of the 1994-96 period, the Adelaide Lightning is inducted into the SA Sports Hall of Fame.
  • In 2013, Jan Stirling and Sue Hobbs are inducted into the BSA Hall of Fame.

2020's

  • Basketball cancelled in South Australia for several months due to the Covid19.
  • In 2020 two great contributors and long-time friends, Kay McFarlane and Marina Moffa, are inducted into the Basketball SA Hall of Fame. And in 2021, North Adelaide Rockets, the WNBL championship team of 1991 was also inducted.
  • The Tokyo Olympics take place in extraordinary circumstances due to the Covid19 outbreak. Steph Talbot stars until she is injured, and Cayla George and Tess Madgen, both born in SA, also feature. Australia finishes 8th.
  • Sydney hosts the 19th FIBA World Cup in 2022. Opals win bronze. Steph Talbot is selected to the World All-Star Five after a sensational tournament. 
  • Australia, with SA born and/or bred players – Tess Madgen, Carla George, Steph Talbot, and youngster Izzy Borlase – win a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
  • Former Australian women’s coach, Jim Madigan, was inducted into Basketball SA’s Hall of Fame.

Bibliography:

Wikipedia, n.d,  Women’s basketball in Australia, accessed 13 May 2025, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_basketball_in_Australia>

AdelaideAZ, n.d, Women’s basketball start in 1950s unleashes a torrent of talent from South Australia filling national hall of fame, accessed 17 May 2025, <https://adelaideaz.com/articles/women-s-basketball-start-in-1950s-unleashes-a-torrent-of-talent-from-south-australia-to-fill-the-hall-of-fame>

Basketball.com.au, 30 April 2025, A definitive history of the WNBL, accessed 14 May, <https://www.basketball.com.au/news/a-definitive-history-of-the-wnbl>

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1957_FIBA_World_Championship_for_Women

Dec 14, Boti Nagy, Basketball on the Internet, One of a kind, Lorraine may also have been the GOAT, accessed 15 May 2025, <https://www.botinagy.com/blog/one-of-a-kind-lorraine-may-also-have-been-the-goat/>

Dec 9 2015, North Adelaide Rockets Basketball Club, Jean Bain, accessed 15 May 2025, <https://websites.mygameday.app/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-4368-0-0-0&sID=369214&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=38526711>

June 10, Boti Nagy, Basketball on the Internet, Basketball SA Hall of Fame inductees: North Adelaide 1990 Senior Women’s Team, accessed 13 May 2025, <https://www.botinagy.com/blog/basketball-sa-hall-of-fame-inductees-north-adelaide-1990-senior-womens-team/>

North Adelaide Rockets Basketball Club, n.d,  Pat Rowe, accessed 13 May 2025, <https://www.facebook.com/basketballsahistory/photos/all-australian-pat-rowe/1133454198795189/>

August 7 2020, Adelaide Lightening, ‘Where are they now? Jenny Cheeseman’, accessed 14 May 2025, <https://adelaidelightning.wnbl.com.au/news/where-are-they-now-jenny-cheesman>

Oct 26, Basketball on the Internet, Time to rally behind fallen Opals superstar, accessed 18 May 2025, <https://www.botinagy.com/blog/time-to-rally-for-fallen-opals-superstar-/>

AdelaideAZ, n.d, South Australia’s Sue Hobbs starts/captains Australia’s wheelchair baskeball team, the Gilders, from late 1980s, accessed 18 May 2025, <https://adelaideaz.com/articles/south-australia-s-sue-hobbs-starts-and-captains-australia-s-wheelchair-baskeball-team–the-gilders–from-late-1980s>

Feb 1, Basketball on the Internet, Basketball SA Hall of Fame inductees: Marina Wood, accessed 19 May 2025,<https://www.botinagy.com/blog/basketball-sa-hall-of-fame-inductees-marina-wood/>

Nov 1, WNBL’s Most Dominant Players: Rachael Sporn, 12 May 2025, <https://www.basketball.com.au/news/wnbls-most-dominant-players-rachael-sporn>

Wikipedia, Jan Stirling, accessed 10 May 2025, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Stirling>

Class 2015, Fiba Hall of Fame, Jan Stirling (AUS), accessed 18 May 2025, <https://about.fiba.basketball/en/fiba-hall-of-fame/hall-of-famers/jan-stirling>

Nov 12, Striking Gold! The 2006 World Champion Opals, accessed 13 May 2025, <https://www.basketball.com.au/news/striking-gold-the-2006-world-champion-opals#:~:text=The%202006%20Opals%20are%20the,a%20forfeit%20victory%20over%20Lithuania>

Grokipedia, n.d, Michelle Brogan, accessed 17 May 2025, <https://grokipedia.com/page/michelle_brogan>

28 April 2025, wikipedia, Jo Hill, accessed 16 May 2025, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jo_Hill>

‘Carla Boyd’, n.d,  Australian Basketball Player Association, accessed 18 May 2025, <https://australianbasketballers.com.au/boomers-opals/carla-boyd/>

Dec 1 2025, wikipedia, Laura Hodges, accessed 12 May 2025, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Hodges>

Stephanie Talbot, n.d, Basketball Australia, accessed 11 May 2025, <https://www.australia.basketball/players/3942753>

Dec 22 2025, wikipedia, Stephanie Talbot, accessed 18 May 2025,  <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephanie_Talbot>