Max Basheer
Encyclopedia
Max Basheer AM
(born 1927) is a former administrator with the South Australian National Football League
(SANFL). He was involved in a number of keys decisions affecting the SANFL in the 1970s – 1990's, ultimately leading to the inclusion of two South Australia
n sides in the Australian Football League
(AFL).
Born in 1927 to Lebanese
immigrants
, in the early 1950s Basheer was a state amateur rover who was denied a SANFL League football career when North Adelaide refused to clear him to Sturt
.
Basheer’s administrative football career began in 1954 when he served as an honorary solicitor to the South Australian Amateur Football League
and as a Commissioner to the League’s Tribunal.
In what was probably his most celebrated contribution to the sport, Basheer served as vice president and president of the South Australian National Football League from 1967–2003. This was a period in which, over and above the usual administrative tasks, he oversaw:
The Max Basheer Reserve, which adjoins AAMI Stadium, was named in honour of Basheer’s contribution to the game.
ACHIEVEMENTS :
Law School, Basheer was admitted to the Bar
in 1951. For almost four decades, from 1954–1992, Basheer was a partner (1954–66) then senior partner (1966–92) with the law firm Povey Waterhouse & Basheer. In 1992, Basheer became a partner with Reilly Basheer Downs & Humphries and is currently working as a consultant with Duncan Basheer Hannon.
As well as his professional legal career, Basheer is the Director of Basheers Strathmore Hotel P/L; Chairman of Directors of the Woodville Hotel P/L; and Chairman of Directors of Samarkand P/L.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 1927) is a former administrator with the South Australian National Football League
South Australian National Football League
The South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
(SANFL). He was involved in a number of keys decisions affecting the SANFL in the 1970s – 1990's, ultimately leading to the inclusion of two 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...
n sides in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL).
Born in 1927 to Lebanese
Demographics of Lebanon
This article is about the demographic features of the population of Lebanon, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population....
immigrants
, in the early 1950s Basheer was a state amateur rover who was denied a SANFL League football career when North Adelaide refused to clear him to Sturt
Sturt Football Club
Sturt Football Club is an Australian rules football club in the South Australian National Football League. The club is best known for its period of dominance from 1966–76 under legendary coach Jack Oatey, during which it revolutionised the style of play by emphasising teamwork and accurate ball...
.
Basheer’s administrative football career began in 1954 when he served as an honorary solicitor to the South Australian Amateur Football League
South Australian Amateur Football League
The South Australian Amateur Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in Adelaide, South Australia. Comprising sixty-seven member clubs playing over one hundred and ten matches per week, the SAAFL is one of Australia's largest and strongest Australian rules football...
and as a Commissioner to the League’s Tribunal.
In what was probably his most celebrated contribution to the sport, Basheer served as vice president and president of the South Australian National Football League from 1967–2003. This was a period in which, over and above the usual administrative tasks, he oversaw:
- the building of Football Park (AAMI StadiumAAMI StadiumFootball Park is an Australian rules football stadium located in West Lakes, a western suburb of Adelaide, South Australia...
); - the installation of lights to the stadium http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/sa/content/2003/s910598.htm – which took 6½ years and involved a Royal CommissionRoyal CommissionIn Commonwealth realms and other monarchies a Royal Commission is a major ad-hoc formal public inquiry into a defined issue. They have been held in various countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia...
;and - the introduction of South Australia's two AFL teams, AdelaideAdelaide CrowsThe Adelaide Football Club, nicknamed The Crows, is a professional Australian rules football club based in Adelaide, South Australia, playing in the Australian Football League ....
and Port AdelaidePort Adelaide Football ClubThe Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
.
The Max Basheer Reserve, which adjoins AAMI Stadium, was named in honour of Basheer’s contribution to the game.
Football highlights
ADMINISTRATION RECORD :- South Australian Amateur League Commissioner 1954–1960
- SANFL Commissioner 1962–1966
- SANFL Senior Vice President 1967–1978
- SANFL Management Committee (Chairman 1978/79) 1969–1979
- SANFL Commissioner for Country and Junior Football (Chairman 1978 )1971–1978
- Football Park Finance and Development Committee (Chairman 1978) 1975–1989
- SANFL President (25 years longest serving President) 1978–2003
- Foundation SA – Trustee 1988 1992
- SA Football Commission – Chairman 1990–2003
- Australian Football Hall of Fame Committee 1996–2002
- SA Football Hall of Fame Committee 2001 – present
ACHIEVEMENTS :
- Awarded SANFL Life Membership 1972
- Member of the Order of Australia for services to the game of Australian Football 1988
- Awarded AFL Life membership 1996
- Inducted to the SANFL Hall of FameSouth Australian Football Hall of FameThe South Australian Football Hall of Fame was created in 2002 to recognise the players, coaches, umpires, administrators and journalists who had made a significant contribution in the South Australian National Football League...
In 2003 - Inducted to the Australian Football Hall of FameAustralian Football Hall of FameThe Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 1996, the Centenary year of the Australian Football League, to help recognise the contributions made to the sport of Australian rules football by players, umpires, media personalities, coaches and administrators. It was initially established...
– the first South Australian football administrator so honoured
Other
Max Basheer is also a successful lawyer. A graduate of the University of AdelaideUniversity of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia...
Law School, Basheer was admitted to the Bar
Bar examination
A bar examination is an examination conducted at regular intervals to determine whether a candidate is qualified to practice law in a given jurisdiction.-Brazil:...
in 1951. For almost four decades, from 1954–1992, Basheer was a partner (1954–66) then senior partner (1966–92) with the law firm Povey Waterhouse & Basheer. In 1992, Basheer became a partner with Reilly Basheer Downs & Humphries and is currently working as a consultant with Duncan Basheer Hannon.
As well as his professional legal career, Basheer is the Director of Basheers Strathmore Hotel P/L; Chairman of Directors of the Woodville Hotel P/L; and Chairman of Directors of Samarkand P/L.
External links
- South Australian Multicultural & Ethnic Affairs Commission Newsletter December 2005
- http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/sa/content/2003/s910598.htmABCAustralian Broadcasting CorporationThe Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
interview upon retirement] - SANFL Hall of Fame