George Russel OAM
Hall of Fame Class: 2006 Role: Contributor
George Russell was very much a driver of basketball during its formative years in Tasmania and on the national scene.
He is attributed with developing a variety of competitions for juniors and seniors on the North and North West coast of Tasmania.
He set up an organisation to coordinate the sport throughout the entire island and was the inaugural President and longtime Secretary of what is now known as Basketball Tasmania.
Occupying the President’s role at the Australian Basketball Union between 1957 and 1964, he was instrumental in revamping the Constitution to bring the ACT and Northern Territory into the ABU as individual members.
Russell is a Life Member of Basketball Australia and was inducted as a Contributor in to the Basketball Australia Hall of Fame.
Achievements
– Was a driver of basketball in its formative years in both Tasmania and on the national scene.
– Developed a variety of competitions for both juniors and seniors on the North and North West coast of Tasmania.
– Set up an organisation to co-ordinate the sport throughout the entire island and was inaugural President and then long-time secretary.
– Was instrumental in revamping the Constitution to bring ACT and Northern Territory into the ABU as individual members.
– Life Member of Basketball Australia.
– A supporter of the first women’s team to compete internationally in the World Championships in Brazil – 1957.
– President of the Australian Basketball Union – 1957-1964.
– Inducted into the Basketball Australia Hall of Fame in 2006.
