Official site of the Queanbeyan District Basketball Association
A History of Basketball in Queanbeyan
A rich history, a bright future.
Sparks Before the Flame — Basketball Flickers in Queanbeyan as Early as 1955
Long before the Rugby Club era ignited the modern growth of basketball in Queanbeyan, the town made an early attempt to establish the sport. In October 1955, local newspapers reported the formation of the Queanbeyan District Night Basketball Association, complete with elected officers, public meetings, instructional film nights, and plans for a district‑wide mixed night competition at the Intermediate High School.
This early association showed genuine enthusiasm, but without indoor facilities or a sustained player base, the effort faded. Nearly twenty years later, a very different spark — a group of rugby players looking for off‑season fitness — would ignite the lasting rise of basketball in Queanbeyan.
​unities for everyone to grow through the game.
The Years That Built QDBA (1972–1990s)
Basketball in Queanbeyan has always been shaped by two forces — the gravitational pull of nearby Canberra, and the fierce loyalty of a community determined to build something of its own. For decades, Queanbeyan High School produced talented players — Richard Sliwka, John Wowk, Tony Pantano, Ken Campbell, Alex Lytwynski and many others — who inevitably crossed the border to play in the ACT. Canberra had the stadiums.
Queanbeyan had the spirit.
That spirit would eventually win.
The Rugby Club That Accidentally Started a Basketball Revolution (1972)
The modern era of Queanbeyan basketball began in 1972 with a group of rugby players who were, by their own admission, unfit and unwilling to train. Ross Hosking, then on the Board of the Queanbeyan Rugby Club, had previously played with Ron Hendry’s Colts in Canberra. He suggested basketball as a way to get fit without the bruises of Fourth Grade Rugby.
Ross pitched it to Rugby Club President Graham Gordon with a memorable line:
“Basketball is the only deliberately invented game designed to keep footballers fit.”
The Rugby Club backed the idea, providing uniforms and support. The Queanbeyan Rugby Whites Basketball Club was born — and promptly won the SCABA Men’s D Grade competition in its first season.
More players joined. A second men’s team formed. Then a women’s team emerged, led by former QHS girls Ross had coached. Suddenly there were officials, subs, and structure. A club had formed almost by accident.
By 1976, strengthened by returning Queanbeyan High School alumni — Ron Hendry, John Wowk, Alex Lytwynski, Vytas Meiksa — and newcomers like teacher Reg Hoade and banker Greg Cox, the club won the SCABA A Grade title. It was, as Ross later said, “probably our finest hour.”
Sunday Scrimmages, Hangovers, and the Queanbeyan Spirit
With no indoor facilities in Queanbeyan, all competition games were played in Canberra. But the heart of the club beat on Sunday mornings at the Ross Road outdoor courts. These “Hangover Breaker” scrimmages were legendary — rough, joyful, and surprisingly well attended.
They also revealed something important — Queanbeyan had the numbers, the enthusiasm, and the community spirit to sustain its own basketball association.
The Political Moment — A Stadium Within Reach
In the mid‑1970s, Queanbeyan was a marginal seat, and the NSW Cabinet planned a sitting in town. Both the YMCA and Queanbeyan High School were preparing submissions for a gymnasium. Ross Hosking and Ron Hendry recognised the opportunity — but they needed proof of local demand.
So they created the Queanbeyan Daylight Saving Competition, a wonderfully chaotic league played at Ross Road and the newly built (but dangerously slippery) Karabar High School court, where the backboards sat directly over the baseline.
Teams were recruited from everywhere — primary teachers (“The Frogs”), high school teachers, police, rugby players, local workers, and anyone who could run, pass, or at least turn up.
The games were full of character. Col Maxwell once required stitches after a diving tackle that missed entirely. Kangaroo prop Brendan Barber famously charged down the Karabar court so fast that defenders simply stepped aside — he ran straight off the court and out the open doors into the night.
These stories were funny — but they were also political ammunition. When Ross, Ron, and YMCA representative Denis Murray met NSW Treasurer Jack Renshaw, they could truthfully say Queanbeyan basketball was real, growing, and deserving of a stadium.
The Birth of the Queanbeyan Amateur Basketball Association (1977)
Momentum peaked in 1977. The Queanbeyan Age reported that Rugby’s A Grade Women had reached the Grand Final and reminded all basketballers to attend a meeting to establish a formal association.
On 29 June 1977, the historic first meeting of the Queanbeyan Amateur Basketball Association (QABA) was held at the Rugby Club.
Elected officials included:
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President: Ross Hosking
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Vice Presidents: Ron Hendry & Ken Campbell
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Secretary: Reg Hoade
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Treasurer: Lesley Stumbles
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Registrar: Jan Beaver
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Publicity Officer: Dan Eaton
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Patron: The Queanbeyan Rugby Club
The motion to establish QABA was moved by Steve Bell and seconded by Singa Langi — and carried unanimously.
From that moment, Queanbeyan basketball had a formal identity.
The YMCA Stadium — The Tap Turns On
The arrival of YMCA director Denis Murray was transformative. His enthusiasm for junior development, combined with the political momentum of the cabinet visit, helped secure the long‑awaited indoor stadium.
When the YMCA stadium opened, participation exploded. Ross described it as “turning on a tap.” Players poured in. Competitions expanded. Refereeing seminars were held. A marathon basketball game raised funds for an electronic scoreboard.
The stadium also opened doors for women. With neighbours helping with childcare and partners at footy training, women could slip away for a game — a small but meaningful shift in community recreation.
Schools, Teachers, and the Junior Boom
Queanbeyan’s teachers were instrumental in growing the sport — Graham Atkins, Peter Ellis, Reg Hoade, Mal Bradley (Karabar High), Ross Hosking (QHS), and Denis Murray (YMCA). Their combined efforts created a “hot house” that produced not only participation but genuine talent — including future champions like Tony Boniello and David Monck.
​Representative Basketball and the Rise of the Yowies (1980–81)
Under President and coach Ron Hendry, Queanbeyan entered the Snowy Conference. As the representative team searched for a name, it was Mal Bradley who suggested “Yowies.” The name stuck — complete with a war cry that, according to legend, Reg Hoade might still perform after a Bundy or two.
The Yowies enjoyed strong success and became a symbol of Queanbeyan’s basketball identity. Though later overshadowed by the Roadrunners era, the Yowie name has since returned, reconnecting the modern association with its roots.
The 1980s–1990s — Decline, Revival, and a New Generation
By the late 1980s, the Rugby Basketball Club had declined to just two teams. But a new wave of enthusiasm — led by Ross Bills, Singa Langi, Michael Dyer, Fay Berry, Ruth Kirchner, and others — sparked a revival.
From 1988 onward, the club rebuilt steadily — more teams, more juniors, more women, and more success. By 1994, Rugby Basketball enjoyed its most successful season in decades, winning the B1 Men’s Grand Final and placing strongly across multiple grades. Young Simon Langi and his Under‑16s dominated locally and regionally, symbolising the club’s future.
By 1996, Queanbeyan teams were competing in Canberra again, with many Rugby players representing the association at higher levels. Basketball had come full circle — from rugby players seeking fitness, to a thriving multi‑team, multi‑generation community club.
A Legacy Built by Volunteers, Loyalty, and Community Pride
Across the decades, Queanbeyan basketball has been shaped by countless volunteers, players, teachers, and administrators. People like:
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Ross Hosking
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Ron Hendry
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Denis Murray
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Graham Atkins
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Reg Hoade
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Mary Debenham
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Singa Langi
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Alex & Julie Lytwynski
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Vytas Meiksa
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Jan Beaver
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Jan Browne
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And many more
Their work created the foundation for the modern Queanbeyan District Basketball Association — a thriving, community‑driven organisation that continues to grow, compete, and inspire.
Basketball in Queanbeyan has always been more than a sport.
It is a story of community, persistence, humour, and pride — and it continues to be written today.
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Today, the Queanbeyan District Basketball Association continues to flourish, welcoming players of all ages and abilities. With more than 48 years of history, we proudly deliver Aussie Hoops, junior, and senior competitions, alongside a thriving representative program—the Roadrunners. Every week, hundreds of children, adults, families, and supporters walk through our doors to play, learn, compete, and connect.
Our stadium is also a hub for the wider community. We host groups such as the the Filipino Society and local schools.
Our Association has competed in the NSW State Waratah League and has achieved outstanding results on the court.
At Queanbeyan Basketball, we’re committed to creating a positive impact both on and off the court—fostering inclusion, community spirit, and opportunities for everyone to grow through the game.
