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Sporting Hall of Fame

The Sporting Hall of Fame is an educational resource that acknowledges and honours members of the Bankstown community for their outstanding sporting achievements.

 

About the Hall of Fame

​In August 2011, Council endorsed the proposal to revive the Bankstown Sporting Hall of Fame within the new Centre of Excellence constructed at Bankstown Memorial Park.

The Sporting Hall of Fame is an educational resource that acknowledges and honours members of the Bankstown community for their outstanding sporting achievements. The Hall of Fame serves as a point of interest to residents, visitors, sport enthusiasts and school children.

In 1988, Council and Bankstown Sports Club established a Sporting Hall of Fame as part of the Bicentenary Program. On 26 November 1988, 101 names, representing 25 different sports were unveiled on a roll of honour or board located at Bankstown Sports Club. The original intention was for Council to add new names as they qualify, however, this only happened in 1991 when a further 7 names were recognised and added to the board. Athletes inducted into the Hall of Fame during this period included Steve and Mark Waugh, John and Isla Konrads and Terry Lamb to name a few. The 2012 Bankstown Sporting Hall of Fame recognises all inductees from t​he 1988 Hall of Fame by automatically inducting them into the new Sporting Hall of Fame.

In 2012, the Steering Committee setup by representatives from Council, Bankstown Sports, Bankstown-Canterbury Torch Newspaper and Bankstown District Cricket Club called for nominations from the community to form a new induction cycle at the official opening of the new facility in March 2013. From the nominations, 23 athletes and administrators were chosen by the Committee to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Among the athletes inducted were Hazem El Masri, Brett Emerton, Ian Thorpe and Bilal 'Billy the Kid' Dib.

Sporting Hall of Fame​ inductees
Search by sport category

Athletics

Baseball

Basketball

Boxing

Cricket

Cycling

Gymnastics

Rugby League

Rugby Union

Soccer

Swimming

Touch Football

Track & Field

Weightlifting

Wrestling

Rugby League
Tony Currie
Tony had an illustrious career as a winger and centre. Between 1982 and 1989 he held an impressive record of representation - 15 State of Origin games for Queensland and eight Tests for Australia.
Indoor Bowls
Wal Browning
Wal began playing Lawn Bowls in 1967 and in 1988 he joined the vision-impaired competition due to developing glaucoma. He was declared legally blind as he has been left with tunnel vision in his left eye and perception of light in the right. Wal was selected to represent Australia in 2006 in the Trans Tasman Championship and won Gold. He wore the green and gold at the in the 2007 International Bowls for Disabled World Championship at Harbord NSW and again win gold in the World Singles B2/3 bowlers.
Wrestling
Wally Armstrong
Wally came to prominence in Freestyle Wrestling in 1972 at the age of twenty eight and he achieved the National Championship Status in 1973 and 1978. In the same year he was selected to represent Australia in the Commonwealth Games Edmonton, Canada. Wally continued to wear the green and gold at the International Police Olympics in Texas in 1982.
Wrestling
Wally Koenig
Wally represented Australia at the age of 19 when he attended his first Commonwealth Games in Christchurch in the 48KG Class.
Swimming
Wendy Bowie
Wendy excelled early in swimming and won her first Gold Medal in 1974 as a nine year old. In 1982, she represented Australia at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games and in 1983 participated in the Canada Cup and Japan Pacific Games in Tokyo. In same year, Wendy would win a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.
Judo
Will Williamsky
Will's Judo career began as a 15 year old at the Chester Hill Judo Club and by 1968 he was selected to represent NSW.
Athletics
Youcef Abdi
Youcef Abdi was born 7 December 1977 and is an Australian athlete who specialises in the 3000m steeplechase
Booking information

Guided tours of the Hall of Fame are available by appointment with the Bankstown District Cricket Club and are suitable for families, schools and community organisations.

Memorabilia from athletes is displayed throughout the facility and the interactive touchscreens allow users to scroll through the inducted athletes and see their achievements.

The Hall of Fame also operates as a business meeting space ideal for workshops or seminars. It can seat 25 people board style or 60 people theatre style with a kitchen available for use.