From the time capsule: South West State league sport in the 1990s - Part 1

State league sport in the South West was at its peak during the 1990s, with championships and victory around every corner for competing clubs. In a two-part series, Justin Fris gets some insight into these teams and why players and coaches loved being involved during this decade. Bunbury Raiders (1995-1999) The Raiders played their home games at Hands Oval during each summer, beginning in 1995. A low point during their debut campaign was an 80-0 loss against the Bassendean Broncos — however, within a year, they came within touching distance of making the playoffs. Extremely passionate about American football, inaugural coach Allen Beringer famously stirred up the Maddington Panthers before a Saturday night clash in December, 1996 — despite having never beaten them previously. “Our defensive linemen can smell a quarterback through a weak (offensive) line,” he said before the game during his weekly chat with the South Western Times. “And then, they are like dogs to a carcass.” Souwest/Bunbury City Slammers (now South West Slammers 1989-) The 1990s was a golden period for South West basketball, with the Slammers featuring in seven men’s grand finals throughout the decade, winning four titles. A founding State Basketball League club, the Souwest Slammers rebranded themselves as the Bunbury City Slammers in 1995, with all their men’s success to date under this banner — winning premierships in 1995, 1996, 1998 and 1999. For boom recruit James Fitch, being involved during this decade not only brought championships and points, but it brought friendships and ensuring Bunbury became an ideal basketball destination. “There were some hard-hitting guys playing in the 1990s,” he said. “The imports who came out here were so tough. I’m not saying the ones who come out here now lay down, but back then? Man, every night you stepped on the floor, you weren’t just playing against one or two imports, the whole team could play. “Even the teams on the bottom, they were really good. You had to compete every Friday, Saturday and Sunday that you played. “If you didn’t compete, you got beat. That’s just the way it was.” Steve Hawkins, who coached the Slammers to their inaugural men’s title in 1995, described the road to that first grand final win against Goldfields Giants. “Halfway through the year, our winning record was 6-7,” he said. “But we had played quite a few of the better teams. “So we sat down and had a team meeting, setting a goal of winning 11 of the last 13 games. We ended up winning 12 and finished fifth. “We then had series wins in both the quarter finals and semifinals, before winning the grand final series in two games. This was the only year when the grand final was a best of three series. “From there, we backed it up in 1996, when it went back to a single grand final.” Souwest Jets (1989-) The Jets were a foundation member of the Gold Netball League — now referred to as the West Australian Netball League — with some of the region’s most talented youngsters representing the club. Before 2021, the Jets had only played finals once, in 1997, under the guidance of coach Dale Nielsen, when they were defeated by the Warriors in the semifinal. Nielsen believes a solid preseason set the tone, as moments from it stayed with the team throughout the season. “We started with a hiking camp further down south,” she said. The girls had to erect their tents, carry their backpacks and all of their food.” It was also a special year for Angela Repacholi (nee Lloyd-Woods), who became the first Jets player to received the Jill McIntosh Medal, which remains the highest individual playing honour in WA State netball. A year earlier, Repacholi won the Quit State Netballer of the Year award. Respected WA sport journalist Steve Butler covered the Jets during his distinguished tenure at the South Western Times and believes these hard times helped future playing generations. “I fondly remember the Souwest Jets being an organisation which exhibited professionalism beyond its modest means,” he said. “In terms of resources, I think there was little doubt that the Jets were something of a poor relation compared to most, if not all of, their rivals. “They had star players such as Angela Lloyd-Woods, Peppa Nielsen, Gayle Whyatt and Kylie Glancy and a cast of sturdy support staff with people such as Dale Nielsen, who were totally committed to building a dream. “Their combined efforts no doubt inspired the next generation of players from the region.” Check out next Thursday’s edition of the South Western Times for part two.