Basketball NSW joins the Bankstown Basketball community in mourning the passing of Alex Bacic, a man whose contribution to our sport in New South Wales spans more than four decades.
Alex began his journey with Bankstown Basketball as Treasurer in 1980, a role he held with dedication for a decade before serving on the Board of Directors and ultimately taking the helm as General Manager in 1994, a position he held with distinction until his retirement in 2018.
In 2017, the Basketball NSW members were proud to honour Alex with awarding him Life Membership, recognising a career defined not by title, but by tireless commitment. The nomination put forward at the time said it best — Alex was a man who was equally comfortable in the boardroom as he was cleaning the floors of the stadium he loved. That humility, combined with his passion for the sport and the people in it, is what set him apart.
Under Alex’s stewardship, Bankstown Basketball Stadium became one of the most well-regarded facilities in metropolitan basketball. He oversaw its transformation into an official training venue for competing basketball teams at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, working alongside SOCOG to deliver something truly historic for our sport. He also guided the Association through the 2009 World Masters Championships, another milestone that placed Bankstown on the world stage.
Beyond the bricks and mortar, Alex was a voice for metropolitan basketball associations at a time when they needed one. He championed the reinstatement of the Metropolitan Committee and used his relationships with local, state, and federal politicians to advocate for resources and recognition that benefited the wider community.
His involvement in the Midnight Basketball programme, working hand in hand with Bankstown Council, reflected what basketball can be at its best, a vehicle for positive change in young people’s lives.
Alex was awarded the NK Wran Award in 1981 and the Bob Elphinston Award three times, his recognition that speaks to the esteem in which he was held, not just by Basketball NSW, but by everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him.
Basketball NSW extends its deepest condolences to Norma, Cameron, Craig, Melissa, and the extended Bacic family. Alex gave so much to this sport, and his legacy is woven into the fabric of basketball in NSW.
Vale Alex Bacic.