In short:
The Tigers basketball club has celebrated 45 years in Wyndham with a major event at Eagle Stadium, highlighting its growth, diversity and impact on youth. The celebration featured awards, family participation and the club’s trademark “Tigers on 3!” chant.
Building leadership and connection on and off the court
The Tigers basketball club has celebrated 45 years in Wyndham, marking its growth from humble beginnings into the city’s largest basketball family.
What started as one of the smallest clubs in Hoppers Crossing has expanded to dozens of teams and hundreds of players, with members now representing a wide range of cultures across Wyndham.
The milestone was marked with a large event at Eagle Stadium in Werribee on Sunday, 14 September. Families filled the venue as awards were presented across every division, with the well-organised celebration recognising players, coaches and volunteers who have contributed to the club’s success.
Player and junior leader Sophia Hooper said the strong sense of connection is what makes the club stand out.
“I really like the connection that we all have, how everyone’s really close, how there’s always support when we need it,” she said.
She added that being part of the Tigers has shaped her into a role model.
“It’s given me a lot of skills, more maturity… having to coach my own team and be a role model for younger kids.”
For fellow player Samuel Daniel, the club is as much about friendship as basketball.
“My favourite memory on and off the court is probably just getting around them all the time, spending time with my teammates and growing my bond with them,” he said.
He said nothing captures the spirit of the Tigers more than the team huddle, where every player leans in together and shouts: “One, two, three… TIGERS!”
Samuel explained that it’s this chant that gives him energy.
“I just feel ready, I feel pumped and I feel like I’m going out there with a family to win,” he said.
Former club president Mario Costa remembered the years of growth that came with Wyndham’s rapid population increase.
“Back then we were probably the smallest club… within a couple of years we grew to be 30 teams, being the largest club,” he said.
He added that the Tigers now reflect Wyndham’s cultural diversity.
“As a Tiger community, being a chant on 3 is awesome because it’s one team, one club, one community.”
The Tigers marked their 45-year milestone with that same chant, proving that nearly half a century later, the roar of Wyndham’s basketball community is louder than ever.
