Our History

Basketball begins in Mount Gambier

Basketball began in Mount Gambier in 1956 at the Drill Hall, where games were played on an undersized court. The competition later moved outdoors to the Mount Gambier Tennis Courts.

Growth at Olympic Park in the early 1960s

As interest in basketball grew, a lease was negotiated for “Day Basketball”, now known as netball, to install lighting at Olympic Park. By 1962, three courts had been fitted with lights and basketball was being played five nights each week.

Land purchased for a stadium

In 1966, the Mount Gambier Basketball Committee purchased the three-acre site on which the stadium now stands for $2,489.03. Committees had spent many seasons fundraising to provide the capital required to build the venue.

The Bern Bruning Stadium opens

The arrival of Bern Bruning in Mount Gambier in 1968 marked a period of significant growth. Through his leadership and contribution, the $30,000 two-court stadium was completed and officially opened by Gough Whitlam in June 1969.

Ninety-two teams competed during the stadium’s first season, with senior competitions held from Monday to Thursday and junior matches played on Friday nights and Saturdays.

Third court completed

Continued growth led to the completion of a third court, now Court 1, shortly before the 1973 Easter Tournament.

Representative success

Mount Gambier’s senior men’s and women’s teams achieved success throughout South Australia and Victoria, with the senior women developing a reputation as one of Australia’s leading country teams.

Mount Gambier hosted the Under 14 Boys Australian Club Championships in 1972. In 1974, Mount Gambier’s Under 16 Boys team, coached by Bill Gould, became SA Country’s first junior state team to compete at a national championship.

Easter Classic and national championships

The Blue Lake Easter Classic became an annual highlight of the local basketball calendar. First held in 1970, it attracted teams from throughout South Australia and Victoria.

MGABA later became the only SA Country association to host Australian Junior Championships, staging the 1986 Under 16 Boys Championship and the highly successful 1994 Under 16 Girls Championship.

International and exhibition matches

Over the years, Mount Gambier hosted exhibition games involving visiting international teams, including teams from Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, the Kentucky Wildcats, Colorado Rams and Utah State.

Visits by China and South Korea to play the Opals in 1995 also attracted strong local support.

The Pioneers era begins

In September 1987, MGABA applied to enter the 1988 South Eastern Basketball League season. The Scott-Mobil Pioneers became Mount Gambier’s only sporting team competing in a national competition at the time.

The vision of Mr A. M. Scott OAM, together with support from Mount Gambier’s business community, helped establish and grow the Pioneers.

Stadium growth and community impact

The establishment of the Pioneers and the development of the Icehouse increased basketball’s profile across the region and provided entertainment and sporting pathways for people of all ages.

The Pioneers also contributed to substantial development of the Bern Bruning Stadium. Initial assistance from the City Council enabled major extensions, with later improvements funded by the Scott-Mobil Pioneers.

Finals appearance

In 1991, the Scott-Mobil Pioneers reached the Finals Series, narrowly losing the semi-final to Ballarat.