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Vale Max Basheer
Posted:
Mon Sep 15, 2025 10:27 amby Booney
South Australian football legend and one of the state’s longest serving lawyers, Max Basheer, has died at aged 98.
Born on May 9, 1927 to Lebanese immigrants, he was recognised nationally for his leadership in football administration having worked with the South Australian National Football League (SANFL).
He was instrumental in the inclusion of the two SA teams into the Australian Football League (AFL).
Basheer’s administrative football career began in 1954 when he served as the honorary solicitor to the South Australian Amateur Football League and as a Commissioner to the League’s Tribunal.
More to come.
Re: Vale Max Basheer
Posted:
Mon Sep 15, 2025 10:35 amby FlyingHigh
Regardless of whether people agreed with his decisions or not, he should always be held in high esteem for unfailingly trying to put South Australian football first, particularly in times when the Vics were only trying to look after themselves.
RIP
Re: Vale Max Basheer
Posted:
Mon Sep 15, 2025 10:47 amby am Bays
Wouldn't be a SANFL now if it wasnt for Max and others (here's looking at you Laurie Rosewarne) standing up to protect all the footy clubs in SA and the wider footy industry in 1990.
The funding streams we had and have, have been protected by his adroit leadership even when he was in no official role as the move to AO was negotiated.
I should go and have a drink in the Strathmore today and raise a WE Draught Imperial Pint to the great man and thank him.
Re: Vale Max Basheer
Posted:
Mon Sep 15, 2025 11:14 amby dedja
A colossus of the SANFL.
Under his leadership, the SANFL achieved financial independence with the development of Football Park.
He served the SANFL from 1954-2003, a remarkable achievement.
He also had a long legal career, working well into his 90’s.
The SANFL would not be what it is today without him. He setup financial sustainability and navigated the entry of South Australian teams into the AFL.
The world is a better place because of Max.
Vale.
Re: Vale Max Basheer
Posted:
Mon Sep 15, 2025 11:52 amby Jimmy_041
We were only talking about him yesterday at Adelaide Oval as we were facing his stand
He went out for lunch nearly every day
He was always up for a chat about football
Lovely bloke who has left a massive legacy
Re: Vale Max Basheer
Posted:
Mon Sep 15, 2025 2:44 pmby dedja
https://sanfl.com.au/league/news/sanfl- ... asheer-am/The South Australian Football Commission and SANFL are deeply saddened by the passing of League Life and SA Football Hall of Fame Member and highly respected football administrator, Max Basheer AM.
Chairman of the SA Football Commission The Hon Rob Kerin today paid tribute to Max, who was awarded SANFL League Life Membership in 1972 and inducted into the SA Football Hall of Fame in 2003 and was the League’s longest serving president (1978 – 2003).
“The greats of our game are often remembered by their accomplishments on the field but when we remember those who have had such profound impact off the field, there are few others like Max,” Mr Kerin said.
“Across nearly 50 years of service, including 25 as League president, Max’s selfless contribution to the League was immense; always guided by an abiding passion to strengthen and grow the game.
“He was instrumental in establishing Football Park and securing the entry of Adelaide Football Club and Port Adelaide Football Clubs into the AFL – achievements that stand as enduring testaments to his vision and leadership.
“His wisdom and friendship will be missed by many but his legacy – reflected in the naming of a stand at Adelaide Oval in his honour – will continue to live on in our great game.”
From Kalangadoo in the South-East, Basheer’s love of Australian football played out on the field with the amateur ranks at Adelaide University during the 1950s.
His off-field contribution to South Australian football began in 1954 as the honorary solicitor to the SA Amateur Football League.
He was first appointed a SANFL commissioner in 1962 and would be appointed League president in 1978 before stepping down in 2003.
SANFL and the SA Football Commission express their deepest sympathies to Max’s daughters Jayne and Ann and the Basheer family while honouring his outstanding contribution to the game in South Australia as a player and administrator.
The SANFL flag above the Adelaide Oval scoreboard will be flown at half-mast from today as the League mourns his passing.
Max Basheer AM
* Awarded SANFL League Life Membership, 1972
* Inducted into South Australian Football Hall of Fame, 2003
* Inducted into Australian Football Hall of Fame, 2005
* South Australian Amateur Football League commissioner, 1954-1960
* SANFL commissioner, 1962-1966
* SANFL senior vice-president, 1967-1978
* SANFL management committee, 1969-1979; chairman, 1978-1979
* SANFL commissioner for country and junior football, 1971-1978; chairman, 1978
* Football Park finance and development committee, 1975-1989; chairman, 1978
* SANFL president, 1978-2003
* SA Football Commission chairman, 1990-2003
* Australian Football Hall of Fame committee, 1996-2002
* SA Football Hall of Fame committee, 2001-2016
* Member of the Order of Australia for services to the game of Australian football, 1988
* Awarded AFL Life Membership, 1996
* Adelaide Football Club Life Membership, 2003
* Sturt Football Club Life Membership, 2003