VALE Max Basheer

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.

* 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