PLAYER
Brendan Dowler OAM PLY
Brendan Dowler OAM PLY is a Wollongong product who became a paraplegic as a result of a tumour in his spinal cord, and overcame that adversity to become one of the best wheelchair basketball players New South Wales has ever produced.
Beginning his playing career in 1995, at domestic level Brendan was a dominant force, winning national titles with both the Wollongong Roller Hawks and the West Sydney Razorbacks. During this time he was also honoured with the NWBL’s Low point MVP award in 2003 and selected as one of the NWBL’s All-Star Five in 2001 and 2003.
Internationally he represented Australia with great distinction from the first time he pulled on the green and gold in 2001. He played over 100 games for the Australian Rollers, with a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games and a bronze at the 2006 World Championships in Amsterdam just an entrée to an extraordinary high point in the 2008 Beijing Games, when Brendan was a key contributor in helping to lead the national squad to a remarkable gold medal. In 2004 and 2008 he was also awarded the title of Illawarra Mercury Sports Star of the Year Award.
Once he decided to move into the coaching ranks, he continued to pile up victories and awards, leading his beloved Roller Hawks from the sidelines to Australian National Wheelchair Basketball League titles in 2012, as well as four back to back titles in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022. He was also named the NWBL Coach of the Year on three occasions – in 2012, 2017 and 2019, and was awarded Coach of the Year at the Illawarra Sports Awards in 2022.
A member of the Order of Australia since 2009, Brendan Dowler’s exceptional contribution to wheelchair basketball sees him honoured with elevation to the BNSW Hall of Fame.
Credit: Matt McQuade
Basketball NSW Hall of Fame Dinner
Date: Saturday, November 25th, Novotel Northbeach Wollongong
Time: 6:30pm for a 7:00pm start
Dress: Cocktail
Tickets: CLICK HERE to Purchase. Tickets are from $165 per person or $1550 per table of ten. Includes a three-course dinner, a 3-hour beverage package and a commemorative HoF booklet.