This week marks Heritage Round across the NBL1 conferences, with a special focus on the families, communities, and members who have shaped the clubs rich history in the State Basketball League.
At Willetton, we are proud to shine a light on the Endersby family. A name synonymous with the Tigers basketball, whose connection with the club has spanned over 50 years, and 3 generations.
The Endersby’s journey with Willetton Basketball began in 1974. Gaye and Graeme moved from the country, settling into life in the suburbs. Not long after, they found themselves involved with Willetton Basketball, back when games were played outdoors at the Bill Cole Centre in Riverton. Their love for sport, and being part of this local community made the club a natural fit for them and their two young children Travis and Carolyn.
Soon enough, basketball became a big part of their lives, and Troy and Carolyn would find Willetton to be a second home to them, growing up around the courts. Carolyn went on to play 46 SBL games for the Tigers, and has put her hand up to volunteer for multiple roles, but humbly points out that it doesn’t compare to the thousands of hours that her parents have put in over the years.
Gayle and Graeme contributed to the club in every way imaginable; serving on countless committees, tcoaching and managing teams, scorebench duties, and running fundraisers. Graeme was granted life membership in 1990 for his incredible years of service, and Gaye followed in 2005.
Looking back on those early days, we asked Graeme and Gaye to reflect on some of their favourite memories;
“The club was much smaller, so everyone knew each other! There were always social events to keep things fun. Big shoutout to the Original Tigers who remember the outside courts, the sports club, joining in variety nights, drinks at the upstairs bar or committee meetings that seemed to run for many hours and include a lot of port at the Endo’s house which all resulted in a lot of fun stories!!”
These daysGraeme and Gaye have swapped their committee roles for cheering from the stands on WABL Sundays and NBL1 nights as they watch their grandchildren Xavier and Sienna play for the Tigers at a WABL level, and Ashlin playing on the NBL1 stage.
Carolyn and her husband Brad Ramsay, there’s something special about seeing their daughter continue the family legacy;
“For many reasons club loyalty is rare these days! For Ashlin to be playing at an NBL1 club that her grandparents helped build and that Brad & I have both been a part of is really special. I’m so proud of the effort and resilience Ashlin is showing to be able to play at this level and continue our family history here at Tigers.”
Brad is a part of the Tigers story too. He played 76 SBL games, served on the Willetton Board, and held several Assistant Coaching roles with the SBL and NBL1. Danni Ramsay (Ashlin’s aunty) is also a Tigers great in her own right, with 331 SBL games, and 1,738 points to her name.
For the Endersbys, basketball has always been about more than the game itself. When asked what has stayed with them the most, the answer came easily;
“It’s about helping others, making great memories, the people you meet and special friendships you make along the way. It has created an extended family for us.”
That family continues to grow. Many who volunteered alongside Gaye and Graeme are still involved in the club today, still volunteering, still giving back. Our history matters. Not just because of the names in the record books, but because of the families, like the Endersbys, who helped build the club, and laid the foundations of the Tigers we love today.
Heritage Round gives us an opportunity to pause and reflect. To say thank you to those who selflessly poured their hearts into this club. To recognise the value of multi-generational Tigers, and the importance of providing pathways to allow them to carry on family legacies with a club they’ve been part of for as long as they can remember.