Introducing Wildcats Bloodline

The people who helped build the Perth Wildcats across more than four decades are being brought back together through the launch of Wildcats Bloodline.

Initiated by the club and led by former players, Bloodline has been created to reconnect Wildcats alumni while strengthening the link between the club’s past, present and future.

While former players remain at the centre of the initiative, Bloodline also recognises the coaches, managers, administrators who have contributed to the Wildcats since the club entered the NBL in 1982.

The initiative was officially celebrated at a sold-out event at Pirate Life Perth, featuring a panel of former captains and champions Mike Ellis, Paul Rogers and Damian Martin.

The night also brought together Wildcats from across the decades, including Ian Satie, Jarrad Prue, Jeff Dennis, Rob Bresa, Robbie Dempster, Tom McClain, Glenn Ellis, Liam Rush, Eric Watterson, Simon Blennerhassett, Eddie Cecins and Tony Ronaldson.

Ellis, the club’s inaugural captain, said Bloodline was about protecting the legacy created by everyone who had contributed to the Wildcats’ journey.

“For us, it’s really about the legacy of the club, because it goes all the way back to 1982,” Ellis said.

“Everybody has played a part in where this club is now. It hasn’t just been one or two people. There have been so many people who have come through and made contributions.

“A lot of the people in the early days did it for nothing. They were volunteers, and they helped lay the foundations for what the club has become.”

Bloodline will provide former Wildcats with opportunities to reconnect through events and reunions, receive news and communication from the club, and remain involved through match-day and fan engagement experiences.

Ellis said the initiative could also help current players connect with the history and responsibility that came with wearing the Wildcats uniform.

“It’s important that the current group understands they’re playing for a legacy and they’re playing for the history of the club.

“If you have that connection and you have it strongly, the players realise it’s about everyone who has come before them.”

The Bloodline name was developed by former players as an alternative to a traditional alumni title and reflects the connection shared across every era of the club.

“We talked about the alumni concept, but we went with Bloodline because that’s what it is,” Ellis said.

“It goes right back to the beginning.”

Bloodline will also create opportunities for former players to support and mentor members of the current Wildcats program.

Ellis said the experiences of former players could provide valuable guidance to younger players and new arrivals at the club.

“There are former players who have achieved plenty in basketball, business and other areas of their lives,” he said.

“That experience can be passed on to the younger players coming through and even to new imports, helping them understand there have been plenty of people before them who have made a significant contribution.

“If we can bring that together with the support of the Red Army, the club is only going to become stronger.”

Perth Wildcats owner Mark Arena said the initiative would recognise those who had helped build the club while giving former players a leading role in shaping its future.

“We’re really proud of the Bloodline initiative and the stronger connection it will create with the people who have helped shape the Wildcats, but it was important that our former players took the lead in defining what it would become,” Arena said.

“There are many former players, coaches, staff and volunteers who have contributed to the club over the years, and we would love to see them reconnect and become part of Bloodline.

“Whether they attend an event, share their experiences or simply reconnect with familiar faces, we want them to know they remain an important part of the Wildcats.”

Further Wildcats Bloodline events, reunions and match-day opportunities will be announced throughout the year.