Al Ramsay (AUS)
20/07/2015
FIBA Family
to read

FIBA Hall of Famer Al Ramsay shares words of wisdom

CANBERRA - Teenagers hoping to reach new heights Down Under and the coaches trying to help them were recently honored by the presence of Al Ramsay, who visited teams at Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence.

Ramsay, who was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2009 as a contributor, was on hand for a practice session of the Australian squads preparing for the FIBA Oceania U17 Men's and Women's Championships - the qualification series for the 2016 U17 World Championships.

One of the all-time greats and longest-tenured voluntary workers/executives in Australian sports and in basketball history, Ramsay is much revered in his homeland.

He was made Life President of the Oceania Basketball Confederation in 2001.

The winners of competitions between Australia and New Zealand are now awarded the Al Ramsay Shield, while winners of the Men's Pacific Island Tournaments clinch the Al Ramsay Trophy.

Ramsay met the coaches and staff at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence, which is based at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), and discussed the positive benefits from participating at junior regional and world championships.

He also discussed the establishment of the first World Championships for Junior Men in Brazil in 1979 and the first World Championships for Junior Women in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA, in 1985 and the very important role he played in supporting these initiatives.

Ramsay, who also spoke of the important role coaches play in the development of players and the game and emphasized the importance of the coaches continuing their development, was warmly received.

FIBA