In the early months of 1970, the foundations of what would become a proud and thriving basketball community were laid by founder Ted Saw. Like many great sporting stories, it began with something simple, a father wanting to share his love of the game with his son.
Ted recruited seven boys from the local neighbourhood and entered them into the Eastern Districts Junior Basketball Association under the name Watsonia Heights. What started as a single team quickly gained momentum. Within just six months, a second season saw the formation of two teams, built by bringing together brothers, friends, and new players eager to be part of something special.
The growth didn’t stop there. The following seasons saw the club expand rapidly – first to five teams, then seven – reflecting both the increasing popularity of basketball in the area and the strong sense of community Ted had created.
Behind the scenes, Ted’s commitment was nothing short of extraordinary. He trained teams wherever he could find court space – Fitzroy, Bundoora, Lower Plenty – often juggling multiple locations in a single day. On Saturdays, he coached as many as six teams across different venues, dedicating countless hours to developing young players and building the club from the ground up.
As the club continued to grow, it became clear that one person could not do it all alone. To support the expanding program, Harold Patterson stepped in to coach the seventh team, marking an important step in building a broader coaching network and ensuring the club’s sustainability.
With membership spreading across a wider geographical area, the club made the decision to simplify its identity, changing its name from Watsonia Heights to Watsonia. However, one thing that never changed was the pride in being known as the Warriors – a name that continues to represent resilience, community, and a shared passion for the game.
From humble beginnings to a rapidly growing club, the early years of the Warriors are a testament to vision, dedication, and the power of community sport.
