History

Our Original Club Logo

Glenmore Park Basketball Club was founded by Marion Keating in September 1998.  Through newspaper ads, she attracted the interest of Ben Mackie (the then sports teacher at Glenmore park High), Rochelle Dunworth, Natalee Beadman and Daphne Clarke.

They begun canvassing Glenmore park for players and made 6 teams, the necessary minimum to join Penrith & Districts Basketball Association for the 1998/1999 Summer competition.

The club’s colours were to resemble the Sydney King’s as well as keeping in line with the soccer colours (purple, gold and white) already in use.

The club committee comprised of: Rod Keating (Club President), Marion Keating (Club Registrar/Treasurer), Daphne Clarke (Club Secretary), Rochelle Dunsworth as committee member.

Each committee member either coached a team or managed a team.

After a few seasons, the Club was faced with an almost complete committee change, with only Daphne Clarke remaining on board.  Ilija Bilbija was voted in Club President, Ken Evans became Club Treasurer, Rose Bilbija looked after Singlet and club equipment, Natalee Beadman became involved as Head Coach, Daphne was voted in as Club Registrar.

The club began to grow to 14 teams which was maintained for a number seasons before exploding to 22 then to 40.  Gradually, teams began to become increasingly competitive with not only rep players but with accumulating experienced coaches as well as educating existing coaches.  At one Grand Final, Natalee Beadman had 3 winning teams, something no other club coach has done before.

The Club holds its AGM every November at Penrith Valley Sports Stadium, with a Penrith & District Board Member in attendance.  Club meetings are held every 8 weeks however around the time of team nominations, extra meetings are held to formulate teams.  All parents are welcome to attend.

The club is happy to be able to fund all coach training (including a $30 Level 0 Coaches course followed by a Level 1 Coaches Course at a cost of $75 – *conditions apply) as well as pay for the coaches registration required by Penrith & Districts Basketball Association.

Through the experienced hands of the former club treasurer, Ken Evans, funds were accrued to pay for a number of benefits to our members.  Club subsidies were made available for drink bottles, warm up shirts and more recently, tracksuits and coaches shirts (Black, purple, with Gold emblem).

The club emblem was actually the result of a competition where the players were asked to submit an entry.

Recently, Kathy Rieksen, the Club’s current treasurer, has successfully secured a number of community grants which has enable the club to further these benefits to our members with team basketballs, club equipment such as coaches white boards and loaner singlets.

Every August, the Club holds its Presentation Day where every player is awarded a trophy, supplied with a free meal and drink and disco.  The last 2 years, Larry Davis – Club’s former President – secured the venue of the Penrith Golf Course Function Room and it has been a big success.  All coaches & managers (volunteers) are recognised as this club would not be possible without their support and time.  Each coach and manager is rewarded with Hotys Movie tickets.

Glenmore Park Basketball has grown from 6 teams to its current number of 39 teams, consisting of 250 members.

Over the years, we have had many contributors which the Club would like to acknowledge:
Club Presidents: Rod Keating, Ilija Bilbija, Larry Davis, Bill Stellios
Club Secretaries: Daphne Clarke, Marion Keating, Karen Chijoff, Brenda Attard, Lisanne Camenzuli
Club Registrars: Marion Keating, Daphne Clarke, Natalee Beadman, Alicia Schloeffel, Ken Evans, Kathy Rieksen, Bill Stellios, Jodie Fisher, Raeleene Keane, Vinko Zalac
Club Treasurers: Marion Keating, Ken Evans, Sharon De Jong, Daphne Clarke, Kathy Rieksen
Club Vice Presidents: Alicia Schloeffel, Richard Wirihana, Sylvester Wilson, Larry Davis, Darren Fisher
Club Head Coaches: Paul Blunt, Sylvester Wilson
Long serving managers/coaches/committee members: Rose Bilbija, Brenda Attard, Kathy Rieksen, Daphne Clarke, Mrs Judy Bainsley, Catriona Pennay, Alicia Schloeffel, Ken Evans, Karen Chijoff, Greg Chijoff, Omar Tupaea, Kathy Gavin, Paul Blunt, Sylvester Wilson
*A coach’s registration and course fees will be reimbursed once a coach begins second season with the club as a coach.By Daphne Clarke
June 2009