Tonight, as the final domestic games tip off at the Frankston Basketball Stadium, we’re not just closing the door on a building, we’re closing a historic chapter.
For almost 50 years, these courts have been the heartbeat of our community. Over the decades, more than 500,000 games have been played under the banner of Frankston Basketball, many of them right here at Bardia Avenue, where generations have left their mark. Half a million battles. Half a million stories. From buzzer-beaters and blowouts to friendships formed and champions crowned, every game left its mark.
These courts have seen the rise of local talent who went on to achieve greatness. Names like David Andersen, Ryan Broekhoff, Mel Dalgleish, Kelly Bowen, Steph Reid, Sue Barton, Mark Ridgway, Rhys Newsome, Mel Cotta, Grant Dennis and many more. Their journeys began on these very floorboards, inspiring countless others to dream big in the same space.
Today, over 100 pieces of memorabilia were packed into storage; banners, jerseys, photos, and artifacts that represent decades of history. The lowering of our domestic club banners, championship flags and retired jerseys from the rafters was a sobering sight. It’s really happening.
This stadium has always been about more than just putting a ball in a hoop. It’s been a meeting place, a proving ground, and a second home. It’s where kids laced up their shoes for the first time, where teams shared triumphant wins and bitter defeats, and where families gathered week after week, on the sidelines, in the stands, and on the court.
It’s where rivals became mates, and teammates became lifelong friends. Where post-game laughs carried into the car park, and kids would hang around shooting for as long as they could, until the lights were cut and the supervisors gave the not-so-subtle hint that it was time to go home.
From humble beginnings in 1959, with games played in army barracks and college gyms that were 12 feet too short, to the heights of national games as the Frankston Bears, the Frankston District Basketball Association has always found a way to grow, to adapt, and to lead.
While moving out brings a mix of nostalgia and gratitude, it also brings a real sense of excitement. In just two years, we’ll return to the same home, in the same location, just with fewer things falling apart and a whole lot more shine. A brand new, state-of-the-art 10-court stadium with a 1,000-seat show court that honours our past while setting the stage for the future.
So tonight, we salute the history beneath our feet. We thank every player, parent, referee, coach, and volunteer who helped make this building more than just a stadium, it became our community.
Bardia Avenue may be closed for now, but the competition continues at other venues, and what’s ahead is worth the wait.
We’ll see you on a new court soon.
