Kevin Coombs OAM PLY
Hall of Fame Class: 2007 Role: Player
Kevin Coombs has been synonymous with wheelchair basketball in Australia for over 40 years, representing the nation at five Paralympic Games, including two as captain of the Rollers.
His remarkable ball skills and pinpoint passing commanded respect from his peers but it was his devastating shooting ability that struck fear into his opponents. That was never more evident than when he led Australia to a Silver Medal at the 1974 Commonwealth Games and two Gold Medals at the 1977 and 1982 FESPIC games.
Off the court, Kevin has been an ambassador for the National Indigenous Strategy for Literacy and Numeracy as well as the Sydney Paralympic Games in 2000 and is one of only nine people to have an avenue in the Sydney Olympic Village in his name.
In 1988 he was honoured with an Order of Australia for his lifetime of service to sport and the community.
Achievements
– Won two Gold, two Silver and two Bronze medals at National Championships.
– Played at five Paralympic Games – 1960, 1968, 1972, 1980, 1984.
– Won Silver Medal at Paralympics in 1974.
– Captain of 1974 Paralympic team.
– Won two FESPIC Gold medals – 1977, 1982.
– Played at the Gold Cup – 1983.
– Received Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 1988.
– Captain/Coach of Goodwill Games team – 1988.
– Won Gold medal as coach of Victoria Junior Team – 1993.
– Kevin Coombs Avenue named after him in Sydney Olympic Park.
– Inducted to the Basketball Australia Hall of Fame- 2007.
