OUR HISTORY
Where it Began
The Raiders began with a single team founded by Peter Jukes so his son and his friends could play in a local basketball competition. As interest in basketball grew, so did the club. What began as one grassroots team gradually developed into a thriving multi-team club.
Peter remained at the heart of the Raiders throughout its growth, serving in numerous roles including President, Treasurer and Coach.
A Club for Every Family
From the beginning, the Raiders was built on inclusion, community and a genuine love of basketball. Peter strongly believed that financial hardship should never prevent a child from participating.
He regularly covered game fees and uniform costs for families experiencing financial difficulty, helping ensure basketball remained affordable and accessible to everyone.
In 2016, after more than 25 years of community involvement, the club formally added “Avondale” to its name and logo, strengthening its connection to the local area and the families it served.
Continuing the Legacy
In 2022, after 35 years of dedicated service, Peter retired from work and basketball and moved to a warmer part of Victoria.
With Peter’s support, an interim committee was established to continue his legacy. Former Raiders coach and Keilor Basketball Association President Rob Dierickx also assisted with the transition.
The committee included Paul Arney, Narelle Robinson, Charli Rose Coote, Cindy Vella, Aidan Brophy, Lachlan Arney, Carolyn Arney, Lisa Vella and Charee Vella. Together, they formalised the club’s structure, incorporated the organisation and secured local sponsorships to help keep basketball affordable for Raiders families.
