Premier League
The Bearcats top Men's & Women's teams compete in the SA Premier League, the top basketball competition for South Australia's elite men's teams. The League is played between March and August and includes 10 clubs from metropolitan Adelaide.
You can find more about the Premier League and download the weekly 'Hang Time' program at: www.premierleaguesa.com.au
Watch our 2018 matches live via our Facebook page or read our match reports at westadelaidebearcats.wordpress.com
Premier League
The Bearcats top Men's & Women's teams compete in the SA Premier League, the top basketball competition for South Australia's elite men's teams. The League is played between March and August and includes 10 clubs from metropolitan Adelaide.
You can find more about the Premier League and download the weekly 'Hang Time' program at: www.premierleaguesa.com.au
Watch our 2018 matches live via our Facebook page or read our match reports at westadelaidebearcats.wordpress.com
WEST ADELAIDE BASKETBALL
80TH ANNIVERSARY GALA EVENT
On 19 September 2026, more than 300 current and past members - including players, coaches, volunteers, families and friends - gathered in the EOS SkyCity ballroom to celebrate 80 years of the West Adelaide Bearcats.
The ballroom was transformed with historic centrepieces, a commemorative 80th anniversary pin, and a striking red light wash across the all‑black room. Memorabilia displays featured championship teams and flags, past uniforms, trophies, and a refreshed 1982 NBL Championship banner, soon to replace the existing banner at Port Adelaide Stadium.
The evening was hosted by MC Jarrod Walsh, who opened with a personal reflection on the impact West Adelaide has had on his family.
Throughout the night, the club recognised outstanding achievements across NBL1, NBL1 Reserves and NBL1 Pathway programs:
NBL1 Pathway Awards
• Male Pathway Athlete – Cohen Mortimer
• Female Pathway Athlete – Leila Grieger
NBL1 Reserves Awards – Men
• Most Consistent Player – Carter Truslove
• Most Valuable Player – Malang Deng
NBL1 Reserves Awards – Women
• Coaches Award – Eliza Wooden
• Most Valuable Player – Georgina Salandra
NBL1 Awards
• Men’s Coaches Award – Akok Machar
• Women’s Players Player – Ashleigh Strawbridge
• Men’s MVP – Braelen Bridges
• Women’s MVP – Chloe Hodges and Morgan Yaeger
Bearcat Medals
• Men’s Bearcat Medal – Braelen Bridges
• Women’s Bearcat Medal – Chloe Hodges
The club also recognised Basketball SA Participant Life Members:
Ashlea Pomeroy (2008–2018)
Alice Gee (2007–2018)
Trudy Lane (2006–2016)
Sky Langenbrinck (2009–2024)
Keeley Pearce (2013–2026)
Daniel Phillips (2003–2015)
Adam Pearce (2001–2016)
Paul Rankin (2006–2018)
Tristan Braithwaite (2004–2018)
Hamish Staude (2010–current)
Three new West Adelaide Life Members were inducted:
Mel Campbell, Roger Stankovic and Geoff Dodd.
Guests heard from a panel of Australian representatives, who shared their experiences and reflected on the role West Adelaide played in their journeys. Later in the evening, members of the 1982 NBL Championship team both panels joined by Kerry Waller for an interview that revisited one of the club’s most iconic achievements.
The club then inducted new members into the Honour Roll and Hall of Fame, presented by existing Hall of Fame members:
Honour Roll Inductees
Dora Mudge
Brad Dalton
Brian and Margaret Williamson
Russell Terrett
Anthony Spadavecchia
Dion Grieger
Shayne Kaesler
Hall of Fame Inductee
Blake Truslove
Two existing members were elevated:
• Gordon Clamp from Honour Roll to Hall of Fame
• Peter Ali from Hall of Fame to Legend
The 80th Anniversary Gala celebrated the club’s rich history, honoured its contributors, and looked forward with pride and optimism to the future of the West Adelaide Bearcats.
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Celebrate with our limited-edition 80th Anniversary Gin, proudly crafted in partnership with South Australia’s own 78 Degrees Distillery.
This special release is built on 78 Degrees’ acclaimed Australian Dry Gin. A bright, zesty spirit distilled with premium botanicals including juniper, spice and citrus, all selected for their purity and quality. Pre-Orders for Gin purchase close 11th September.
Gala Partners
De Stefano & Co is a defence-focused management and security consultancy that assists organisations to navigate the complex Australian defence industry environment and other highly regulated sectors.
As a 100% Australian owned and operated business, the company has unrivalled experience, knowledge and networks, and are specialists in strategy, security and grants.
As a long-term partner and current sponsor of the club we welcome De Stefano & Co as a Gala Partner.
Thorne Constructions is a family‑owned Adelaide builder led by Nicholas and Neil Thorne, combining tier‑one experience with craftsmanship. Built on trust and community values, the 20‑person team delivers bespoke residential and commercial projects through word‑of‑mouth referrals, prioritising quality, safety, environmental responsibility and strong client relationships with a holistic, end‑to‑end approach.
