Link to Photo at SLV Website
SLV Accession no. H2008.122/356
Team: South Melbourne (VFL)
Location: Lake Oval (Albert Park)
Date: 1955-56
People:
Back Row: Des Barry, Trevor Grant, John Ledwidge, W.White, John Ferguson, Bill Nolan, Jack Hudson
Front Row: G.West, Colin Vance, A.Brown, Don Earl, R.Warner, Eddie Lane, N.Richardson
Comment
This is a basketball team. South Melbourne footballer Esmond ‘Eddie’ Lane is seen in the middle row.
This group is most likely a South Melbourne footballers’ basketball team - the ‘Swans’ - for the summer months. Circa 1956. Photographed at South Melbourne. Slightly blurry. The blazer worn by the two officials in front row is the South Melbourne Football Club blazer. The man in white track suit top in top row appears in other Boyles photos of South Melbourne football personnel.
Further Work Needed
Eddie Lane played for South Melbourne Senior football team from 1951 to 1956. The VFL Baskeball competition commenced in 1955-56. The photo is presumably from the first season, as the second basketball season 1956-57 commenced after the end of Lane's senior football career.
In 1955 a weekly Basketball competition between the various VFL clubs was set up and ran over the summer months. The 1955-56 season was played at the North Essendon Board Track.
On the ball all the year. (1955, August 24). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956), p. 26. Retrieved August 11, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71675529
Eddie Lane played in that first season.
"FREES" GALORE AT BASKETBALL. (1955, November 24). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956), p. 20. Retrieved August 11, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71781910
The reports in the Argus show that the games were tough affairs as the players transferred their skills onto the basketball court. A report highlighting a Fitzroy vs Hawthon match provides an example of the coverage.
A Hawk fell— and it was on!. (1955, December 1). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956), p. 22. Retrieved August 11, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71783417
The League basketball competition was still being played in 1957 and it appears the games were still quite lively.
POLICE END WILD RIOT IN LEAGUE BASKETBALL. (1957, January 4). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956), p. 10. Retrieved August 11, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71774455
1956-57 Season played at the Exhilition Building
Collingwood beat Demons in basketball. (1956, December 21). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956), p. 12. Retrieved August 11, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71772643
No heading. (1956, January 25). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956), p. 28. Retrieved August 11, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page6571627
Duplicates - Near Identical Photos
South Melbourne Professional Basketball Team First Season 1955-56 - Published Version with names and insert of another player
External Links
Football stars go to school!. (1955, October 7). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956), p. 28. Retrieved August 11, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71700018