Basil Campbell facts for kids

Basil Gerard Campbell was born on August 2, 1956. He is a former Australian rules football player. Basil is from an Indigenous background. He played for two important clubs: the St Mary's Football Club in the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) and the South Fremantle Football Club in the West Australian Football League (WAFL). He played during the mid-1970s and early 1980s.

Basil Campbell's Playing Style

Basil Campbell was known as a strong and energetic player. He was well-built and always gave his best on the field. He joined the South Fremantle team in 1975.

His Role on the Field

Basil usually played as a centre half forward. This position is important for both scoring goals and helping defend. He was easy to spot during games. He always wore a special protective helmet. He wore it because of a head injury he had earlier in his career.

Representing Western Australia

In 1977, Basil Campbell had a big chance. He was chosen to play for the Western Australia team. This was for the very first "State of Origin" match.

What is State of Origin?

State of Origin games are special. Players represent the state where they first played football. Basil played as a half-back flanker in this game. The Western Australia team played against Victoria. Western Australia won the game by a large margin of 94 points.

Grand Final Success

Basil Campbell was part of a winning team. He was a key player for South Fremantle in the 1980 WAFL Grand Final. His team won the championship that year. They defeated the Swan Districts team.

A Family Legacy in Football

Basil's son, Warren Campbell, also became a talented football player. Warren followed in his father's footsteps. He played for St Mary's and South Fremantle. Warren was even part of the South Fremantle team that won the 1997 WAFL Grand Final. He also played in the Australian Football League for the North Melbourne team.