South West Slammers

South West Slammers is a State Basketball League (SBL) club based in Bunbury, Western Australia. The club fields a team in both the Men's SBL (MSBL) and Women's SBL (WSBL). The club is a division of Basketball South West, the major administrative basketball organisation in Western Australia's South West region. The Slammers play their home games at Eaton Recreation Centre.

South West Slammers
LeaguesState Basketball League
Founded1989
HistoryMen:
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
ArenaEaton Recreation Centre
LocationBunbury, Western Australia
Team colorsBlue, red, white
PresidentRob Clement
Head coachM: Mark Worthington
W: Nathan Grover
Championships5
WebsiteBasketball South West

The club was originally based in the City of Bunbury at Hay Park Recreation Centre (became known as South West Sports Centre in 2002) but relocated north to the suburb of Eaton in 2005 and moved into Eaton Recreation Centre.

Club history

Men's team

1989 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 MSBL 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, things went decidedly south for the team. Following the 2001 season, the Slammers had a disastrous 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.[1]

Following the 2012 season, the Slammers knew they had to do something different to become a force again, and that's where the appointment of Ty Harrelson as player-coach came to fruition. Harrelson outlined a three-year plan that he hoped would set up the Slammers for long-term success. As a result, the Slammers played finals basketball in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The three-year plan culminated in making the 2015 MSBL Grand Final behind the likes of Harrelson, Clive Weeden, Tre Nichols, Brian Voelkel and Trent Worthington.[2][3] In their first grand final since 1999, the Slammers were defeated 105–75 by the Joondalup Wolves.

Women's team

In 1992, a Slammers women's team entered the WSBL.[4] 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.[5] 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.[5][6] They went on to reach the WSBL Grand Final, where they defeated the Rockingham Flames 85–48 to win their maiden championship.[7][8][9][10][11]

Accolades
The Slammers' 5 SBL championship banners on display at Eaton Recreation Centre

WSBL

MSBL

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References
  1. Pike, Chris (28 August 2015). "Men's SBL Grand Final Preview". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  2. 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.
  3. Pike, Chris (28 August 2015). "Chance of fairy tale now a reality for Slammers and Ty". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  4. "FLASHBACK: The way they were". TheWest.com.au. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  5. "2015 SBL Media Guide". SportsTG.com. p. 53. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  6. Coleman, Hannah (2 August 2012). "Slammers set for first finals appearance (Women's quarter finals preview)". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  7. Coleman, Hannah (20 August 2012). "Slammers, Flames edge closer to history (Women's Semi-Final Wrap)". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  8. Coleman, Hannah (27 August 2012). "Slammers, Flames complete miracle turnaround (Women's semi-final wrap)". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  9. Coleman, Hannah (1 September 2012). "Slammers claim first championsihp [sic]". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  10. Marsh, Melissa (29 August 2012). "Grand Final feast for local hoops fans". PerthNow.com.au. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  11. Coleman, Hannah (1 September 2012). "South-West Slammers women create history with first title win". PerthNow.com.au. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
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