Brock and Ollie Angell of Shellharbour with their signs, waiting for their Hawks heroes to arrive in the Wollongong Mall. Photo: Julian O’Brien.
With the reggae trimmings of Lionel Richie’s All Night Long blasting through speakers in the Wollongong Mall, it was clear Hawkheads were in a mood to “raise the roof and have some fun”.
Devoted Hawks fans Josh Bartlett and Will McLaughlan were among the large crowd gathered in the mall on Thursday night (27 March) eagerly awaiting the arrival of their heroes, the 2025 NBL champion Illawarra Hawks. This was more than just a community celebration.
This was a commemoration of history, devotion and passion.
“Absolutely we build a statue of Justin Tatum,” Josh, wielding a wrestling style championship belt with the Hawks proudly displayed on it, enthused about the Hawks’ championship coach.
“Right there on top of the palm tree,” Will added dryly without missing a beat, referring to Wollongong Mall’s infamous “palm tree on a pole” art installation.
For 25-year-old Josh, like so many who gathered on the night, supporting the Hawks has been a family tradition.
“I’ve been to every single home game in the last 10 years; been going on the train since I was 10 years old with my mates, getting tickets and back then sitting courtside because no-one was going to games.
“I used to go with my dad as a little kid and I used to be so scared of the mascot.
“It means so much to finally get (a championship). I was two years old, and Dad was telling me stories of the 2001 championship win. This means so much to me and everyone in Wollongong.”
And his response being in the WEC for Sunday’s championship win?
“I cried … my dad came up and gave me a big hug. It meant so much.”
For Will it was a similar story, going to Hawks games each New Year’s Eve with his mum to celebrate her birthday.
The Illawarra Hawks’ second NBL Championship team and this season shall live long in his memory.
“Supporting the Hawks has been a family tradition,” he said.
“The most important thing about this group is the boys look like they have fun; they are a close group you know and the crowd thrives off that.
“I’m so glad they won because they all deserve it … and we all deserve it.”
Shellharbour brothers Brock (5) and Ollie Angell (4) wielded homemade signs for their favourite players, Hawks youngster Brad Ballinger and star guard Will “Davo” Hickey respectively.
Asked why he chose local Ballinger for his sign, young Brock didn’t miss a beat.
“Because he looks exactly like my cousin,” he beamed proudly.
Mum and dad Mel and Simon explained Brock’s cousin Chase plays for the Hawks’ under 18s and produced a photo to prove it. Spot on Brock. Spitting image.
Mel and Simon took the boys to several Hawks games through the season and Brock spoke for the rest of the region when he was asked about his favourite chant at games?
“ILL-A-WAR-RA,” he said beaming with pride.
Long-time locals Leola and Colin Walter, the proud parents of renowned sports journalist Brad Walter, started following the club when it won its first championship in 2001 and contributed to Mat Campbell’s Save the Hawks campaign in 2009.
The couple were watching Sunday’s championship game at the Steelers Club but had a special moment earlier that day thanks to Savvy Fitness, meeting some of the 2001 championship team as part of an early morning walk/run from Diggies to the WEC.
“We all walked to the WEC, banged on the door and said, ‘Go Hawks,’” Leola said.
Every Hawkhead in the waiting throng on Thursday had their own story. The relationships between the NBL’s only remaining foundation club, its players and the community are more than just connected, they are intertwined.
As if to prove the point, Hawks players, former players and staff gathered in front of the Town Hall to take the march up to the celebrations in the mall amphitheatre where they mixed and mingled with fans effortlessly and easily. Autographs were signed, pictures were taken, but the chaos awaited …
As the group made the march up the mall towards the stage, the sound of the now famous Illawarra chant rang out.
Among the crush which surged forward as the Hawks took the stage there were many familiar faces and the odd famous one. Australian basketball great Cal Bruton stood off the side of the stage with son Dante.
Lord Mayor Tania Brown took to the stage and was met with a resounding roar when she announced she would be proposing a motion at council the Hawks be awarded the keys to the city. The motion was carried unanimously.
Justin Tatum took to the stage and if Wollongong didn’t love the championship coach enough, he sealed the deal.
After inadvertently snubbing young Hawkhead Jordan Lamacchia by forgetting to give her a championship hat after she gave him his championship ring during Sunday’s presentations, Tatum called Jordy on stage.
He then presented her not only with a signed hat but a signed pair of his son’s exclusive shoes, Jason Tatum 3s, which he’d worn during coaching in the championship series. Pure class.
The players and coaches then bunkered down to sign a few thousand autographs as hundreds of Hawks cupcakes were delivered to the crowd.
Perhaps the closing word should be left for the confidante of Hawks owner Jared Novelly, Terry Egger, who addressed the crowd and referenced a public spat between Novelly and league boss Larry Kestelman over the league’s ownership.
“Jared and I would like to thank each and every one of you because the inspiration that comes from this community is what drives this organisation,” he said.
“It would be naive of me to think you haven’t heard of some tension when it comes to the future. I want to make clear from Jared and this organisation that our intent is that we make sure to sustain this club in this community.
“We call upon all of you to continue to support us, not by just being at games, but by your own advocacy for what this club means to this community. In return we commit to you to give you our very best in investing in this community.”
Who needs Lionel Richie?
To every Hawkhead in attendance that was music to their ears.
With night falling, the autograph hunters prepared themselves for a long night ahead.
And in the words of Lionel himself, “Life is good, life is sweet, let the music play on …”
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