Sixers to celebrate 1986 with special tribute

It will be a special celebration on Sunday as the Adelaide 36ers mark 40 years since the club’s inaugural NBL Championship.

The 36ers team of 1986, nicknamed “the Invincibles”, enjoyed one of the most remarkable seasons, under the guidance of then head coach Ken Cole.

The side had a 24-2 regular season record, including 13-0 at home at the old Apollo Stadium, before avenging the Grand Final loss a season earlier by beating the Brisbane Bullets in a tough three-game series.

Had it not been for a couple of buzzer beaters on the road, the side would have been unbeaten in the regular season.

As part of the celebrations, the surviving members of the 1986 playing group, coaches and support staff will come together for a reunion of sorts.

They spent time watching the current side train, shared lunch and stories with the current squad and on Sunday will be presented to the crowd when the Sixers host the Bullets from 4:30pm ACDT.

The club will also look to right a wrong, funding and presenting the 1986 group with championship rings to make up for the fact the NBL did not present rings to championship sides back then.

It’s a gesture appreciated by Mike McKay, who played all 30 games in 1986 and averaged 13.6 points per game.

“We got a little trophy from the sponsors and the club, we got a championship watch, but getting a ring will be nice,” he said.

“To hand it down through my family to my grandkids when they're older, so that they can understand that special bond from the team that Pa was involved in so many years ago, and we'll have been recognised with a 40th anniversary ring.”

McKay is very much looking forward to reconnecting with the group who created history in ’86, though he knows the celebrations will be tinged with sadness.

Three members of that group – McKay’s teammate Darryl Pearce, head coach Ken Cole and team manager Keith Woods – are no longer with us but their next of kin will be presented a championship ring in their place.

“I’m 61 this year, so I was 21 when we won the championship and it's great memories, fond memories,” McKay reflected.

“It's just unfortunate that we've got three members of that group no longer with us so it's going to be an emotional, emotional time to celebrate without them.

“The beauty of everyone is we still catch up, we still see each other at games, those guys that live here, so, it'll be nice to see the interstaters that are coming in.

“It's going to be a very special time for us just to all get together, reminisce, and just catch up with everyone, talk about the old days, the gory days, bring out some stories - you know, see which one lasts the longest.”

The club also marked the anniversary with a six-part written series this week along with some video storytelling, featuring interviews with some of the 1986 side.

While they’re all a little older and move a little slower, the memories of their exploits only grow taller.

Especially, according to McKay, when some of the old fans come to chat with the past players around the city and at 36ers games.

He says it is clear the 1986 Championship still means a lot to the city, and he and the side are grateful to be involved in this week’s celebrations.

“To Grant (Kelley) and the club, it's nice to be recognised as, I suppose, pioneers within the club,” he smiled.

“The way that we went about playing basketball, I think, is the way that the teams have been doing it lately as well.

“We’ve set a benchmark for everyone to try and achieve within the club.

“And when they put on that jersey, you know, back when we played for the club, we played for the city so hopefully the guys now have that same mentality that they're coming to play for the club, play for the jersey and play for the city.”

To celebrate 40 years since the 1986 NBL Championship success, the club is releasing a new range of merchandise, including replica jerseys, hoodies, hats, socks and scarves.

You can check it out at the new Adelaide 36ers store at 215 Port Road, Hindmarsh, or online at https://adelaide36ersstore.com/.

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