Life Members
Life Members Ron Holmes: Player/Coach/Administrator Ron ‘Rocker’ Holmes helped shape the Wildcats during the period of 1950 to1977, he played with the A Men’s team and on many occasions averaged over 20 points per season a feat not often done in the early days of the game, he also coached at different times under 12s, 14s, 16s and 19s winning numerous premierships. In 1971 Ron introduced youth from the Ballarat Orphanage to Basketball and thay played with the Wildcats for a number of years until the Orphanage was closed. Rocker was one of the clubs Vice Presidents in the 50s and the Wildcats Delegate to the BBA from 1950 to 1960. Ron was made a Life Member of the Wildcats in 2009
Charles Flack: Coach/Administrator/Team Manager Charles was a hard working member of the Wildcats Club from 1961 to 1992. He coached a number of senior teams during this period and was team manager of the A Men’s in the 70s and 80s. He was constantly organising trips away to tournaments for the Men’s and Women’s teams and would go out of his way to make sure players were able to get to games by picking them up and taking them home. Charles was a driving force behind the building of the ‘Ray Borner Court’ which is the Home of the Ballarat Wildcats; Charles maintained the court from 1980 until 2003. He was on the Eastwood Leisure Complex (Ballarat Youth Center) Committee of Management as the Wildcats representative from 1977 until 1992 and was a Board Member of the Club for over 25 years.
Carmel Caligari: Player/Coach/Administrator A new sport for women was introduced into Ballarat in 1961 and Carmel was a member of the first team to play ‘Women’s International Rules’ for the Wildcats. The sport after a period came under the same umbrella as Basketball and Carmel was the main driver for the Women’s teams participation in the sport for the Club. She played in and coached many teams from 1961 to 1990 and has numerous premierships under her belt. Carmel was made a Life Member of the Wildcats in 1995
Jeff Horgan: Player/Coach/Administrator Jeff started as a junior player for the Wildcats in 1970 and quickly became an integral part of the club because of his attitude and determination. He played with the A Men’s team in the late 70s to early 80s and has coached many under 16s, 18s and A Men’s teams over the years. His most successful year was 2004 when he coached the A Men’s team to a Premiership in the Premier and Championship seasons. Jeff is a past Chairman of the Club, a position he held for a number of years and is currently a member of the board. Jeff was made a Life Member of the Wildcats in 2006 Peter Fiitzpatrick- Coach/Administrator Peter came over to the WildCats late in his coaching career after being Ballarat Basketball Associations Head U12 Coach for 20 years. He has coached many junior teams for the WildCats including our under 10, 12 and 14's. Peter has an uncanny way of relating to the kids and demands and receives their full attention and respect; he has won many titles for the Club and deserves the many accolades he has received. He was also a Special Olympics coach for 3 years and was awarded the Central Highlands Sports Assembly Volunteer Award in 2001. Peter has long been regarded as the best under 12 basketball coach in Ballarat over the last 30 years. Peter was made a Life Member Wildcats in 1991.
Ian Phelps: Player/Coach/Administrator |