Australian Basketball Association
Encyclopedia
The Australian Basketball Association, often abbreviated to the ABA, is the second-tiered semi-professional men's and women's basketball
minor leagues
in Australia
which sit under the professional National Basketball League
(NBL
) and Women's National Basketball League
(WNBL).
The ABA is representative of the huge number of junior-based associations across the country and is the endorsed national development league of the sport’s peak body, Basketball Australia
.
The ABA incorporates five leagues – the SEABL
, Big V
, QBL, CABL
and Waratah League
in both men's and women's competition.
In 1981, the SEC was reborn as the South East Australian Basketball League
(SEABL) when the Australian Club Championships ceased to operate due to the rise of Australia’s first truly national competition, the now professional National Basketball League
.
The SEABL was divided into a South and East Conference format in 1986 with teams from Victoria
, New South Wales
, Tasmania
and South Australia
.
In 1994 the bodies merged with the Queensland
State League to create North, South and East Conferences and the league was renamed the Continental Basketball Association (CBA).
1998 saw further expansion with the inclusion of the Central Australian Basketball League
Conference from South Australia
conducting competitions for both men and women. In that same year, the switch of NBL and WNBL seasons to Summer enabled the ABA to offer professional players a showcase for their skills during the Winter months.
2000 saw the addition of Big V
from Victoria
and in 2001 the Waratah League
from New South Wales
and the league was once again renamed into the current Australian Basketball Association.
Since 2002, the champions of each of the five leagues and a number of wildcard entries competed at the inaugural Australian Basketball Club Champions Finals.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
minor leagues
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
which sit under the professional National Basketball League
National Basketball League (Australasia)
The National Basketball League, also known as the iiNet NBL Championship for sponsorship reasons, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in Australasia....
(NBL
NBL
NBL may refer to:* Any of several basketball leagues named National Basketball League** National Basketball League , the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in Australasia** National Basketball League...
) and Women's National Basketball League
Women's National Basketball League
The Women's National Basketball League is the pre-eminent women's professional basketball league in Australia. It currently is composed of ten teams. The league was founded in 1981 and is the women's counterpart to the National Basketball League...
(WNBL).
The ABA is representative of the huge number of junior-based associations across the country and is the endorsed national development league of the sport’s peak body, Basketball Australia
Basketball Australia
Basketball Australia is the governing and controlling body of basketball in Australia, responsible for the development and promotion of the sport at all levels.Formed in 1939 the organisation was constituted in 1946...
.
The ABA incorporates five leagues – the SEABL
South East Australian Basketball League
The South East Australian Basketball League, often abbreviated to the SEABL consists of two men's and one women's conferences in the Australian Basketball Association . The SEABL conferences are considered the strongest in the ABA, developing many emerging Australian Boomers players, as well as...
, Big V
Big V
The Big V is the senior basketball league in Victoria, Australia comprising 102 semi-professional teams in 10 competitions.These competitions comprise both genders, and incorporate four levels of senior competition , three levels for women and youth leagues...
, QBL, CABL
Central Australian Basketball League
The Central Australian Basketball League is the South Australian conference of the Australian Basketball Association . The Central ABL is used as a development league for the Adelaide teams competing in the NBL and the Women's National Basketball League.The winner of the CABL plays off against the...
and Waratah League
Waratah League
The Waratah League is the New South Wales conference of the Australian Basketball Association which it joined in 2000.-Current Teams:-Past winners:Premier DivisionNSW Waratah League-External links:**...
in both men's and women's competition.
Past winners
Men's| Year | Location | Final | Grand Final MVP |
| 1981 | Albert Park Stadium (VIC) | Geelong Cats Geelong Supercats The Geelong Supercats are an Australian basketball team, based in the Victorian City of Geelong, that currently plays in the Australian Basketball Association and previously played in the National Basketball League.-NBL History:... 97 def Frankston Bears Frankston Blues The Frankston Blues play in the South Conference of the SEABL in the ABA.-Current roster:-External links:***... 88 |
| |
| 1982 | Albert Park Stadium | Frankston Bears 89 def Melbourne Tigers Melbourne Tigers The Melbourne Tigers are Australia's oldest and most respected basketball team, established circa 1931 in a local church hall League. Entering the National Basketball League in 1984, they are now the only Melbourne team, after the South Dragons withdrew from the league.The Melbourne Tigers are the... 87 |
| |
| 1983 | Albert Park Stadium | Melbourne Tigers 114 def Bulleen Boomers Bulleen Boomers -History:The Bulleen Templestowe Basketball Club was established in 1969 and after missing out in 1983 was accepted into the Women's National Basketball League, WNBL, in 1984. Applications were prepared and presented by Jan Collinson, who remained the club’s delegate to the League for many years... 102 |
| |
| 1984 | Coburg Basketball Stadium (VIC) | Bulleen Boomers 109 def Chelsea Gulls 108 | | |
| 1985 | Kilsyth Sports Centre (VIC) | Kilsyth Cobras 98 def Bulleen Boomers 87 | | |
| 1986 | Bendigo Stadium Schweppes Centre The Schweppes Center is a sports and entertainment center in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. It is home to the Bendigo Braves and the Bendigo Spirit . The stadium hosted basketball matches during the 2006 Commonwealth Games... (VIC) |
Newcastle Hunters 124 def Sydney City Comets 117 (O/T) | | |
| 1987 | Devonport Recreation Centre (TAS) | Adelaide Buffalos 124 def Newcastle Hunters 102 | | |
| 1988 | Broadmeadows Basketball Stadium (VIC) | Bendigo Braves Bendigo Braves The Bendigo Braves are a basketball team based in Bendigo, Victoria. They play in the East Conference of the SEABL in the ABA.-Current roster:-External links:***... 121 def Bulleen Boomers 118 |
| |
| 1989 | Kilsyth Sports Centre | Ballarat Miners Ballarat Miners The Ballarat Miners play in the East Conference of the SEABL in the ABA.-Current roster:... 125 def Bulleen Boomers 118 |
| |
| 1990 | Knox Basketball Stadium (VIC) | Bulleen Boomers 128 def Ballarat Miners 101 | | |
| 1991 | Knox Basketball Stadium | Knox Raiders 81 def Ballarat Miners 79 | | |
| 1992 | Knox Basketball Stadium | Sydney City Comets 117 def Ballarat Miners 90 | | |
| 1993 | Keilor Basketball Stadium (VIC) | NE Melbourne Giants 124 def Murray Bridge 113 | | |
| 1994 | Bendigo Stadium | Ballarat Miners 104 def Cairns Marlins 81 | Eric Hayes - Ballarat |
| 1995 | Whitlam Leisure Centre (NSW) | Ballarat Miners 101 def Frankston Blues Frankston Blues The Frankston Blues play in the South Conference of the SEABL in the ABA.-Current roster:-External links:***... 86 |
Grant Keys - Ballarat |
| 1996 | Devonport Recreation Centre | NW Tasmania Brewers 101 def Knox Raiders 88 | Dave Biwer - NW Tasmania |
| 1997 | Geelong Arena Geelong Arena Geelong Arena is the home of former National Basketball League team the Geelong Supercats who now play in the South East Australian Basketball League... (VIC) |
Sunshine Coast Clippers 80 def Cairns Marlins 78 | Billy Ross - Sunshine Coast |
| 1998 | | | ||
| 1999 | | | ||
| 2000 | | | ||
| 2001 | Not held | N/A | N/A |
| 2002 | Bendigo Stadium | Hobart Chargers 98 def Australian Institute of Sport Australian Institute of Sport The Australian Institute of Sport is a sports training institution in Australia with world class facilities and support services. The Institute's headquarters is situated in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The 66.0 hectare site campus is in the northern suburb of Bruce, but some of the... 93 |
Andrew Beattie - Hobart |
| 2003 | Bendigo Stadium | Mount Gambier Pioneers 127 def Ballarat Miners 113 | Kurt Russell - Mount Gambier |
| 2004 | Geelong Arena | Cairns Marlins 104 def NW Tasmania Thunder 100 | Aaron Grabau - Cairns |
| 2005 | Geelong Arena | Bendigo Braves 102 def Sydney Comets 98 | Jason Cameron - Bendigo |
| 2006 | Newcastle Basketball Stadium Broadmeadow Basketball Stadium The Broadmeadow Basketball Stadium is an indoor basketball stadium located in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia and was the original home of the Newcastle Falcons of the National Basketball League from the origin of the league in 1979 until they moved to the newly built Newcastle Entertainment... (NSW) |
Geelong Supercats Geelong Supercats The Geelong Supercats are an Australian basketball team, based in the Victorian City of Geelong, that currently plays in the Australian Basketball Association and previously played in the National Basketball League.-NBL History:... 94 def Dandenong Rangers 80 |
Ash Cannan - Dandenong |
| 2007 | Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre The Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre is an international sporting venue located in Albert Park, Victoria, Australia. The centre was opened on the 24th of July 1997 at a construction cost of A$65 million. The cost was funded by the State Government of Victoria and the City of Port Phillip... (VIC) |
Cairns Marlins 110 def Dandenong Rangers 98 | Aaron Grabau - Cairns |
| 2008 | Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre | Rockhampton Rockets 103 def Hobart Chargers 99 | |
History
The ABA's roots can be traced back as far as 1965, when just eight clubs competed in the South Eastern Conference (SEC). The SEC continued until 1971 when the Australian Club Championships gained pre-eminence.In 1981, the SEC was reborn as the South East Australian Basketball League
South East Australian Basketball League
The South East Australian Basketball League, often abbreviated to the SEABL consists of two men's and one women's conferences in the Australian Basketball Association . The SEABL conferences are considered the strongest in the ABA, developing many emerging Australian Boomers players, as well as...
(SEABL) when the Australian Club Championships ceased to operate due to the rise of Australia’s first truly national competition, the now professional National Basketball League
National Basketball League (Australasia)
The National Basketball League, also known as the iiNet NBL Championship for sponsorship reasons, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in Australasia....
.
The SEABL was divided into a South and East Conference format in 1986 with teams from Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
and South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
.
In 1994 the bodies merged with the Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
State League to create North, South and East Conferences and the league was renamed the Continental Basketball Association (CBA).
1998 saw further expansion with the inclusion of the Central Australian Basketball League
Central Australian Basketball League
The Central Australian Basketball League is the South Australian conference of the Australian Basketball Association . The Central ABL is used as a development league for the Adelaide teams competing in the NBL and the Women's National Basketball League.The winner of the CABL plays off against the...
Conference from South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
conducting competitions for both men and women. In that same year, the switch of NBL and WNBL seasons to Summer enabled the ABA to offer professional players a showcase for their skills during the Winter months.
2000 saw the addition of Big V
Big V
The Big V is the senior basketball league in Victoria, Australia comprising 102 semi-professional teams in 10 competitions.These competitions comprise both genders, and incorporate four levels of senior competition , three levels for women and youth leagues...
from Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
and in 2001 the Waratah League
Waratah League
The Waratah League is the New South Wales conference of the Australian Basketball Association which it joined in 2000.-Current Teams:-Past winners:Premier DivisionNSW Waratah League-External links:**...
from New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
and the league was once again renamed into the current Australian Basketball Association.
Since 2002, the champions of each of the five leagues and a number of wildcard entries competed at the inaugural Australian Basketball Club Champions Finals.