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For more than half a century, the Halls Medal has been a symbol of excellence in South Australian women’s basketball. First awarded in 1964, the prestigious honour was established to recognise the best and fairest players in the District Women’s competition. Over the years, it has evolved into the award for the Fairest and Most Brilliant player, with referees casting votes after every game on a 3-2-1 basis.

With a history rich in talent, past winners include some of Australia’s basketball greats — Rachael Sporn (West Adelaide, 1989 & 1993), Suzy Batkovic (West Adelaide, 2002), Alex Wilson (Eastern Mavericks, 2017), and Kristen Veal (Norwood, 1999), among others. The origins of the award date back to a time when the Woollacott Medal was the sole recognition for standout players. A push for a separate women’s award led to Halls Soft Drinks sponsoring the medal, creating a legacy that has stood the test of time. Now, in recognition of the remarkable contributions of women in basketball and the sport’s ever-evolving landscape, the Halls Medal is set to be renamed. And there is no better figure to honour in this transition than Lorraine Eiler, a true trailblazer of women’s basketball in Australia.

Eiler was a natural leader who captained South Australia’s state team at the first-ever National Championships in 1955, winning the first of nine consecutive titles. She made history as the captain of Australia’s first-ever national women’s basketball team, leading the Opals at the 1957 FIBA World Championships in Brazil. What makes her story even more remarkable is that she had only taken up basketball three years prior to her historic selection.

A multi-talented athlete, Eiler excelled not only in basketball but also in netball, where she represented Australia and led the national team to victory over England in 1956. She was also an A-grade tennis and squash player. But it was her groundbreaking journey in basketball that saw her become the first Australian woman to receive a U.S. college scholarship — an opportunity that paved the way for future generations of female athletes. Her legacy was cemented when she was inducted into the Basketball Australia Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Sport SA Hall of Fame in 2015. She remains one of the most influential figures in Australian women’s basketball history.

The official unveiling of the new name will take place at this year’s Basketball SA Awards Gala, ensuring that the legacy of the Halls Medal continues to inspire generations to come. The inaugural Lorraine Eiler Medalist will be awarded to the Fairest and Most Brilliant player of the 2025 NBL1 Central season, which tips off on March 29.

Basketball SA CEO Tim Brenton expressed his excitement about the renaming, stating, “This is a monumental step forward in recognising the pioneers of our sport. Lorraine Eiler’s contributions to basketball in South Australia and beyond are immeasurable, and it is only fitting that her name is forever linked to this prestigious award.” He added, “Lorraine was not just an exceptional athlete but also a role model who paved the way for future generations. By renaming this medal in her honour, we ensure her legacy continues to inspire young basketballers for years to come.”

Lorraine’s daughter, Jodi Mavrinac (née Eiler), also shared what the honour means to their family:

We would like to thank the Basketball SA Awards and History Committee for their assistance and guidance on renaming the award.

Basketball South Australia is excited to announce the launch of the 2025 South Australian Referee Development Program (SARDP). This program has been carefully designed to unify officiating across both Metro and Country basketball in South Australia, providing a structured development pathway for promising referees.

SARDP is an exclusive program with limited positions, reserved for officials who have demonstrated commitment, potential, and a strong desire to develop themselves and others. We are thrilled to announce the selected referees for this year’s program.

2025 SARDP Participants:

Overseeing the program is an experienced team of referee educators who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to mentor and support our selected officials.

SARDP Coaching Panel:

• Jen Dorrell
  • Level 3 Referee Coach & Level 2 Official
  • SA Country Referee Manager
  • 15 years as a Referee Educator with 20 years of Basketball Management experience
  • 2024 & 2025 U20 National Championship Referee Coach
  • 2024 NBL1 Central Referee Coach of the Year
  • 2024/25 WNBL Referee Coach Development Panel
  • 2024 NBL Referee Coach Mentor Program
• Bailey Dyer
  • NBL1 Central Grand Final Referee
  • 2x NBL1 National Finals Referee
  • WNBL Finals Panel Referee
  • NBL Development Panel Referee
• Nathan Davis
  • WNBL Referee
  • NBL Development Panel Referee
  • 4x NBL1 Central Grand Final Referee
  • 2x Women’s Phil Yuill Referee of the Year Award
• Nathan Durant
  • 184 NBL games refereed (2011-2025)
  • 2016 WNBL Grand Final Referee
  • 2001-Present Basketball SA State League Referee (NBL1 Central)
  • NBL1 Men’s Grand Final Referee 2010-2019, 2021, 2022, 2024
  • Phil Yuill Men’s Referee of the Year 2010-2013, 2015-2021, 2022-2024
  • NBL1 Women’s Grand Final Referee 2007 & 2023

Additionally, the SARDP will feature guest speakers and presenters who will provide participants with high-level officiating education and development opportunities. Participants must actively engage in all sessions, be available to officiate throughout the competition year, and complete all assigned tasks.

Tonight, we will be officially launching and welcoming the referees into the SARDP for 2025.

We congratulate all selected referees and look forward to seeing them continue their officiating journey through the SARDP. Basketball SA remains committed to fostering referee development and empowering all South Australian officials, ensuring a strong foundation for the future of basketball across the state.

Basketball South Australia is thrilled to announce the continuation of its successful Female Participation Strategy beyond 2024. This initiative has been instrumental in fostering inclusivity and growth, with significant milestones achieved since its inception.

The extended strategy reaffirms Basketball SA’s commitment to empowering female players, coaches, referees, and administrators while enhancing service delivery to ensure sustained success.

While these milestones are cause for celebration, Basketball SA is focused on building upon this foundation to ensure even greater impact in the future.

Basketball SA Chief Executive Officer, Tim Brenton, expressed his enthusiasm for the strategy’s continuation, stating “The Female Participation Strategy has experienced significant outcomes and milestones and we’re just getting started. Our community’s passion and commitment have brought us to this point, and we are excited to build on these achievements to create even more opportunities for females in our sport.”

Basketball South Australia thanks everyone who has contributed to the success of this strategy so far and looks forward to continuing this important journey. Together, we will ensure basketball remains a leader in fostering participation, inclusivity, and growth.

Basketball South Australia is thrilled to announce the appointment of Vanessa Devlin as our new Technical Officials and Referees Manager.

Vanessa brings a wealth of experience to this role, having been a dedicated referee since 1999. She holds both 5×5 and 3×3 FIBA international basketball licences and has proudly represented Australia on the global stage, officiating in numerous prestigious tournaments, including:

• The 2019 3×3 World Cup in Amsterdam,
• The 2023 Under-23 World Cup in Poland, and
• The 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Vanessa recently retired as a referee in the WNBL after reaching the incredible milestone of 100 games, but her passion for the sport continues.

Throughout her outstanding career, Vanessa has been recognised for her contributions to basketball, including being named the South Australian Official of the Year twice in 2019 and 2022.

In addition to her refereeing accomplishments, Vanessa has played a pivotal role in advancing opportunities for women in basketball. Through Basketball SA’s Female Participation Strategy Program, Vanessa provided contemporary education and support for female referees both on and off the basketball court.

Vanessa’s commitment to basketball and her leadership extends beyond the court. Although recently selected to officiate at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Vanessa made the inspiring decision to focus on her greatest achievement — the birth of her son.

Tim Brenton, CEO of Basketball South Australia, expressed his excitement about Vanessa’s appointment: “Vanessa’s unparalleled experience, leadership, and passion for referee development will be instrumental in shaping the future of officiating in South Australia. We are thrilled to have someone of her calibre and dedication join our team.”

Vanessa Devlin, new Technical Officials and Referee Manager: “This is a wonderful opportunity, and I’m excited to bring my knowledge and experience to help support the development of all officials across South Australia”. 

Basketball South Australia warmly welcomes Vanessa Devlin to this role and looks forward to her contributions to ensuring excellence and growth for technical officials and referees across the state.

Due to the upgrades to South Road as part of the Torrens to Darlington works, Basketball SA has had to find a new home! 

As of December you can find us at:

Postal address: 

PO BOX 2080 

HILTON PLAZA SA 5033 

Street Address:

Building 3, Level 1

32-56 SIR DONALD BRADMAN DRIVE, 

MILE END, SA 5031 

During our relocation all Basketball SA operations will continue as normal. However, if you are planning a visit to the office please ensure to check in with your respective team member on the best time and place. 

Help Us Shape the Future of Basketball in South Australia!

As part of Basketball SA’s commitment to shaping a thriving and inclusive basketball community, we are seeking input from our valued members for the development of the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan. Your feedback is crucial in helping us understand the needs, priorities, and aspirations of our community, ensuring that our strategy aligns with the experiences and expectations of players, coaches, officials, and supporters. By participating in this survey, you contribute directly to the future direction of basketball in South Australia, guiding initiatives that promote growth, development, and sustainability for the sport we all love.

Complete the survey now!

On Saturday 12th of October, we came together to celebrate the success of our Referees and Technical Officials in 2024. Basketball South Australia would like to formally congratulate the officials who received awards. The Officials Awards Night highlights some of the standout individuals who have dedicated their time to our sport. Referees and Technical Officials within basketball in South Australia dedicate countless hours to ensuring games can be conducted, and we wouldn’t have the opportunities available without them.

The awards for the evening acknowledge statisticians, score table officials, referees, and referee coaches. Highlighting the significant achievements of our rising stars, most dedicated and officials of the year. 👏

It was great to hear from a variety of officials with different levels of experience, sharing their unique pathways and goals.

Please join us in acknowledging and celebrating the individuals who received the 2024 Officials Awards.  

🏀 The wait is over! 🗓️ Basketball South Australia is excited to share the upcoming competition calendars for the next 12 months! Fixtures will be released in the coming weeks, so stay tuned. As we gear up for an exciting season, let’s show our appreciation for the referees and officials who help make every game possible. Together, we can create a positive and respectful environment on and off the court 🏆

Please note that these calendars are subject to change due to venue availability, referee availability or unforeseen circumstances

Don’t forget to print off your calendars and pencil keys dates into your calendar, so you’re ready for the action!

Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances, our Officials Awards Night, originally scheduled for this Saturday, has been rescheduled to Saturday, October 12.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused. The rescheduled night will still be a fantastic celebration of our officials’ hard work and dedication.

Please save the new date in your calendars.

Date: October 12
Venue: The Lights Community and Sports Centre – Function Room
Time: 6:00 pm arrival

TICKETS: http://bit.ly/2024officialsdinner

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

FAQ

Over the past two weeks, the Basketball South Australia District League Grand Finals concluded with thrilling competitions across 72 divisions, ranging from Under 10 Juniors to Senior Reserves. These finals were marked by intense matchups, spectacular sportsmanship, and outstanding team spirit. 

Supporters filled the stands with enthusiasm, creating a vibrant atmosphere that energised the games. Fans were treated to several exhilarating finishes, highlighting the high skill level and determination on display. 

The success of these games was made possible by the unwavering dedication of coaches, team managers, referees, and technical officials. Their hard work ensured fair play and upheld the sport’s high standards, and for that, we extend our deepest gratitude. Their commitment is instrumental in fostering the competitive and respectful environment we value at Basketball South Australia. 

The results of each game are accessible by selecting the competition below.