OUR CLUB HISTORY
In the 1950’s, thousands of Triestini left their homes mainly because of employment uncertainty and political unrest migrating to Australia seeking a better future for them and their loved ones; These families and friends boarded ships on a journey to foreign lands, some left with nothing but a suitcase. In Adelaide some young migrant men, rekindling their friendships were eager to continue playing the sports they loved in Trieste, they began playing for two clubs (no longer operating) the Giuliano-Dalmata League for volleyball and A.S. Roma for basketball till end October 1956. There was a rumor at that time of a possible affiliation to Juventus, but this didn’t occur. They were highly praised in both sports, but they lacked the satisfaction and motivation needed because the competitive drive to defend the colors and emblem (the Halberd) of their home city was too strong. These young players decided to source the possibility of forming their own teams using the colors and emblem of Trieste. A year later Triestini teams became reality with both volleyball and basketball registered, playing under 'Alabarda', and rightly so. They were very successful, so much so that one volleyball season at OBI (Our Boys Institute) stadium, Wakefield St. our team of medium/short players won against 'Vytis', a team of giant Lithuanian immigrants with some Olympian players.
Back then the Alabarda basketball team played against other great teams such as 'ALS', 'Venta', 'Budapest', 'Estonia', 'Vytis', 'Norwood', 'OBI' and many others who later moved on, changing their team names and becoming basketball champions. Think about this; our players were under 6ft, playing and winning against teams of upper 6ft height, but our players were fast and could certainly jump high. Our basketball players were even approached to be part of a future Olympic team however financial restraints, and some players not yet naturalized Australians made this difficult. They played in historic, now demolished stadiums such as Forestville, OBI and Bowden. Ahhh! The tin shed venues, the spectators, the smells, the teams and of course that atmosphere.
Deciding they should form their own sport club, this group of pioneers held a first committee meeting at the private residence of the 'Saffi' family in the suburb of Norwood on 18 November 1956 with a second meeting held 2 December 1956. Claudio Ritossa, Tullio Borri, Iago Nordio, Guido Saffi, Angelo Canziani, Alessandro (Nino) Poropat, Arduino (Dino) Saffi, Armando Giorgetti, Attilio Lattaro, Ennio Verbis, Giorgio Clementi, Giuseppe Bianchini, Inea Poropat, Marisa Giorgetti, Stelio Sabadin were the 15 founding members and pioneers of our club. The agenda of the day included the new association’s rules and regulations, the election of an initial Executive Committee, and an edit of the constitution. Only the players were eligible on the Executive Committee, and after a vote, the following were elected: Claudio Ritossa (first president), Tullio Borri, Iago Nordio, and Guido Saffi, respectively (in order) manager, secretary, treasurer, and publicity officer. Angelo Canziani was added to the board as coach of the volleyball and basketball teams under the technical direction of the treasurer.
Hence 'Alabarda Club' was formed and registered in 1956. Note: the age range of these player/foundation committee members was between 18-26 years young.
In the beginning there was no intent to organize many dances at all, not just to avoid competing with other clubs' functions: sporting activities were to be the main purpose moving forward, and all efforts were to be directed there. The first inter-club invite came from ‘La Legga’ Giuliano-Dalmata NYE grand-ball 31 December 1956 at Hindmarsh Townhall, thus tightening ties with co-regional societies.
On 22 Feb 1957 - 1 March 1957 (over two weekends) our players managed to organize a 'first' inter basketball festival, inviting other teams, champions and Olympic players creating an atmosphere of good will. This tournament featured Olympians Sutton and Burdett in its ranks and organisation assistance came from Olympic champion Inga Friedenfelds who also participated playing.
A well-known Adelaide Italian company, Bel Madelyn Travel Agency, established a trophy which was to be contested annually, called the Bel Madelyn Trophy. This was a very successful tournament, with many thanks to Olympians like Sutton, Burdett, Vytis and Inga Friedenfelds.
Also, in this year (1957) our first young women’s basketball team was formed, which through the years was also very successful.
The first club function was an organized BBQ at one of the players’ homes at Rostrevor, to their disappointment no-one (other than committee) attended, this left them with a full keg of beer, wonder what happened to that??? There were few supporters back then as the club wasn’t yet well known and difficulties seemed insurmountable, this didn’t deter this young committee, their will and enthusiasm kept them united. Determined at any cost to keep alive the memory of their city of origin and its customs, with the help of family and friends went door knocking to get the message out of a newly formed Triestin club and Committee. Finally, the first dance was organized at BTM North Adelaide Hall on Friday 8 March 1957, an instant success with many Triestini attending.
From here on our dance functions increased, so did the number of participants, at times some were turned away due to possible overcrowding in the dance halls. Our association expanded quickly with the inclusion of Istrian and Dalmation friends (our first initiation as Giuliani nel Mondo members), our social functions increased mainly due to the lack of cafés and bars around Adelaide, local amenities they were accustomed to back in Trieste.
After many fund raisers at members' homes, a bank loan and donations, land was purchased at Holden Hills new development site. Plans began to take shape and council approval was sort in 1972 for construction of club facilities; 1973 marked the opening of our clubrooms at 1-7 Riddell Rd. Holden Hill where we were happily welcomed by the locals. These clubrooms were the headquarters of our club, forming us into a multi-cultural community. The facilities included a bar, library, function center and dance floor, children's playground, bocce-drome, basketball and tennis courts etc. With the continuous expansion of both social and sports events this led the way to a variety of diverse cultures attending. From lunches during the week to Sunday dinners to special dances, many functions, painting classes, exercise classes, sub-committee, a youth committee was formed in 1974 (Susi Saffi first president), annual easter picnics at Belair National Park, fishing competition trips to Rapid Bay, San Giusto celebrations, BBQs and New Years functions, the list goes on, in fact any excuse for a get together of fun with family and friends.
We participated in many local, inter-state and inter-club competitions. We joined the Bocce Federation in 1978 with our club hosting the National Australian Bocce Championships in June 1983. Our club had been chosen to host these competitions mainly because we had the biggest bocce drome and our facilities could cater for the number of participants.
And boy! didn’t our club and memberships grow becoming one of the oldest and strongest multi-cultural clubs of the South Australian Italian community and still operating after 70 years, with the hope to carry its cultural history and a legacy for future generations.
First established on 18 November 1956 and registered as ‘Alabarda Sport Club’. We later became 'Incorporated' 27 August 1969 under the Consumer and Business Services, Provisions of the Associations Incorporated Act of 1956-1965, legislation of the Attorney General’s Department. After a couple of name changes, we are now known as ‘The Alabarda Sport & Social Club of South Australia Incorporated' and even though the club rooms were sold in 2009, our story continues, we are still very active with regular and special functions throughout the year. Although originally founded by Triestini with the same sporting passion and love of their city, we accept and welcome all nationalities.
"We acknowledge those 15 young founding members Claudio Ritossa, Tullio Borri, Iago Nordio, Arduino (Dino) Saffi, Angelo Canziani, Guido Saffi, Alessandro (Nino) Poropat, Armando Giorgetti, Attilio Lattaro, Ennio Verbis, Giorgio Clementi, Giuseppe Bianchini, Inea Poropat, Marisa Giorgetti, Stelio Sabadin who persevered to bring a little piece of Trieste to a new land. A true testament of effort, dedication and lifetime friendship".
By
Susi Clarkson (nee Saffi)