The 40 most influential people in Southern Districts Spartans basketball history named
It’s one of the biggest clubs in Queensland basketball and as the Southern Districts Spartans celebrates 40 years, the most influential people in its decorated history have been revealed. SEE THE LIST
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Endless state championships, national titles, more than 500 state players, and 21 talents who have gone on to represent Australia — the history of the Southern Districts Basketball Association, known as the Spartans, is as decorated as any club in Queensland.
And after starting from humble beginnings in 1982, the Spartans, which is one of the biggest associations in the state, are this year celebrating 40 years.
Southern Districts formed when the Generals, started by Basketball Queensland Hall of Fame inductee Pat McCarthy, and the Aliens merged at the QEII Stadium.
They then moved into the four-court stadium at Carina’s Clem Jones Centre, and now have almost 5000 members.
The man who led the club for the majority of those 40 years, Allan Ladewig, said he had enjoyed a very proud and successful period in the decades since the club was established.
“Our culture is testament to the great volunteers who have made us what we are,” he said.
“We always work on the principal of ‘southern pride inside’ and ‘whatever it takes’.”
Southern Districts celebrated the milestone with a function on July 23 with almost 150 people attending.
The night also included retiring the jerseys of former NBL star and Spartans junior, Ben Thompson, as well as Odette Isaac, who helped the club’s women’s teams to multiple senior championships and won player of the match in the SEABL grand final in 2014.
As part of the 40 years celebration, we have revealed the 40 most influential people in the club’s history:
40 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN 40 YEARS OF SPARTANS BASKETBALL
(In no particular order)
Allan Ladewig
The man who is Spartans basketball, Ladewig was the general manager of Southern Districts for decades and helped lead the club to become one of the powerhouses in the state.
Ben Thompson
Had a long and decorated career in the National Basketball League as well as state leagues in Queensland and around the country. The Spartans junior is the latest in a long line of superstars from the club to have the honour of their jersey being retired.
Odette Isaac
Along with Ben Thompson, is one of the latest stars to have their jersey retired by the Spartans following a long and successful senior career with the club, which included the 2009 and 2014 SEABL championships and several QBL titles.
Danny Morseu
The leader of the club’s first championship in 1992, Morseu is not only a legend of Spartans basketball but of Australian basketball and sport in the country. The three-time NBL champion and two-time Olympian from the Torres Strait helped turn the Spartans into a dominant club on the court. Also has his jersey retired at the Spartans.
Ian Wally Battis
The legend who has been a part of the club for its entirety and is still seen around the Rowland Cowan Stadium on game nights, helping as a volunteer. Was also honoured at the recent 40-year celebration dinner.
Rebecca Stephens
Not only a star on the court for the Spartans during her playing career but also as a coach for the Darkside, leading Southern Districts to a memorable three-peat in the QBL from 2017-19. Her family have also played a significant part in the club’s history.
Graeme Harding
The voice of the Spartans, Harding is one of the best game day announcers going around and it’s a role he has been doing for decades, even during the glory days of the 1990s and early 2000s.
Val Nancarrow (nee Ah Wong)
One of the legends on the court for the Spartans, Ah Wong will go down as one of the best players in the history of the Queensland state league, leading Southern Districts to several championships and a national title. She also has her jersey retired.
Shona O’Bree (nee Burrell)
With one of the most successful women’s programs in Australian basketball, the Spartans were lucky to have a bunch of stars leading the way, among them was Shona O’Bree. The retired guard played almost 20 years, also has her jersey retired and won a bunch of titles, including a national championship during her career.
Damien Anderson
The man who holds the scoring record at the club for a senior state league game, scoring a whopping 75 points against Toowoomba in the 1990s. The man known as ‘moose’ will go down in history at the Spartans not just for that but his long career as well as his family’s involvement, including his dad – the late great Peter Anderson.
OTHER NAMES IN THE 40
Steve Lennon
Rhonda Griffin
Charlie and Karen Ellis
Scott Lloyd
Aaron Honeyman
Margaret Groves
Wendy O’Brien
Clem Jones
Rowland Cowan
Jeff Timmins
Joe Tertzakian
Holly Smith
Pat McCarthy
Peter Pendle
Bruce Palmer
The Stephens family
The Burrell family
The Mackenroth family
Rhonda Ladewig
Linda Earnshaw (nee Smith)
Donna Rinaldi
Wade Core
Jeff Morton
Karli Currie
Trina Roberts
Jim Kerr Jo Smith
Mic Foley
Trish Cochrem
**There are obviously so many more people who have contributed to the club’s rich history – more than we can mention here. From former players, coaches, officials and volunteers – the list goes on and on**
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