Bruce Leonard was instrumental in putting Grafton basketball on the map.
His influence on the sport on the North Coast of New South Wales was immense and as such was awarded Life Membership of Basketball NSW in 2015. For more than half a century Bruce devoted his time to Grafton Basketball, serving either as President or Secretary-manager for three decades.
Bruce was influential in creating the Jacaranda Basketball Carnival, one of the biggest tournaments in NSW, which celebrates its 50th year in 2017.
Under his stewardship Grafton earned a platform in the premier SEABL competition, and he coached them from 1986 to 1989. Bruce helped attract American imports to play in the SEABL competition and he put Grafton on the international stage with tours to the US.
His tireless devotion to the sport of basketball saw him coach various representative teams, at both the junior and senior levels, often at the same time. He was a driving force building up infrastructure that enhanced the sport, including helping put extensions on the Grafton Sports Centre, and fittingly the original centre is now named the Bruce Leonard Pavilion.
Bruce is a Former NSW Country Committee President and former Director of Basketball NSW as well as a Life Member of NSW Country Basketball.
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