Lightning History

The City of Adelaide was planned by Colonel William Light, whose statue overlooks the town centre from its lofty perch at Montefiore Hill. The name Adelaide LIGHTNING utilised Light's surname, when South Australia decided at the end of 1992 to submit a composite team into the Women's National Basketball League.

The Lightning was formed in 1993 as South Australia's sole entry into the Women's NBL. Over the previous season, SA had fielded two teams - the Adelaide Comets and West Adelaide Bearcats. Since the league's 1981 inception, SA had enjoyed the representation of three club teams through Noarlunga City, West Adelaide and North Adelaide. But over a 11-year span, the State's solitary championship success was through North in 1990.

In 1992, SA had moved to the composite Comets and Bearcats and in 1993, the final step was taken. Success followed instantly for the Lightning, reaching the Preliminary Final in the club's inaugural season. But that 3rd-placed start was overshadowed in 1994 when the Lightning stormed to the championship.

In 1995, the club did the unthinkable and became only the third side in the WNBL's history to win consecutive championships. And the girls achieved it in front of a record attendance for a women's basketball game in Australia of 7,100 at the Clipsal Powerhouse.

In 1996, the Lightning girls made it three in a row, defeating the Sydney Flames at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

And in 1998, the Lightning won the Championship again, giving them an awesome 4 Championship wins in 5 years, a feat unparalleled in sport at this level in Australia.

Since 1998, the team has always qualified for the finals, playing in the grand final in 2000 and the preliminary final on five other occasions.