Maitland Basketball Association is about to celebrate a major milestone marking 60 years since its formation.
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The association has a proud history starting in 1957 in James Street, Maitland behind the current site of Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
From its humble beginnings the association has grown to become one of the premier basketball associations in country NSW and boasts players and club officials representing the city at State and national levels.
The association will mark the occasion with a special anniversary ball at Club Maitland City on September 23. Tickets can be purchased through the association.
More than 200 people are expected to attend the night which will also feature a display of association memorabilia including old uniforms and photographs.
There will be plenty of reminiscing with retired players and association members attending the dinner.
Maitland Basketall Association is home of the Maitland Mustangs junior and senior basketball teams.
In 2000 the association moved into Maitland Federation Centre in Bent Street.
It has played host to several US imports including Tony McDaniel in 1984, the year the Maitland Mustangs became the official team name.
Elder statesman Tom Danilidis became involved with the association in 1965 and registered as a player in 1966.
The recent recipient of a NSW Community Sports Award for long service, Danilidis said the association and the Mustangs are this year hitting their peak in terms of competition and camaraderie.
“When we were operating out of the PCYC we were a small club and each year we are just getting bigger and better.
“We’ve had stacks of players go on to bigger and better things. We have people like Tim Mallon who has been involved in the Australian junior men’s and national teams.
“We’ve had Americans come through like Tyler Munroe who this year won the Most Valuable Player award for the competition we play in,” Danilidis said.
“We have tremendous club people like Glenn Rumble and Leon Bendeich, both life members.”
So what continues to drive Danilidis to stay with the association? It started with his daughter Elianne, now Elianne Loboja, who started with Maitland and went on to play with the Sydney Flames, then professionally in Germany and Greece.
“We’re seeing different generations coming through the ranks and that’s great. Former juniors now in administrative roles.
“It’s a tight club, very family focused, dedicated and proud,” Danilidis said.
View more photos at www.maitlandmercury.com.au
