PLAYER
Robyn Maher AM OLY
Before Lauren Jackson emerged as a generational superstar, there was a player who was the absolute gold standard for women’s basketball in this country for well over a decade.
Her name is Robyn Maher.
From the first time she took to a basketball floor more than half a century ago, Robyn’s name has been synonymous with leadership, determination, work ethic and just plain old-fashioned winning. Indeed, the word ‘winner’ pairs extremely well with Robyn Maher; a ballplayer who collected trophies at an alarming rate during her glittering career.
Domestically, she played 359 Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) games and won a staggering 10 WNBL Championships, two of those as the leader of a juggernaut Sydney Flames unit that helped change the face of women’s basketball in this country. She was a two-time WNBL Most Valuable Player and a dual winner of the league’s Defensive Player of the Year – there is also a very good argument that she is the greatest defender this country has ever produced.
Internationally, she was the fulcrum of an Opals unit that developed into a world class program during her time. She captained the team for an astounding ten years, represented Australia on 374 occasions including three Olympics and six World Championships, and helped her country to a historic Olympic bronze medal in 1996 in Atlanta and to another bronze at the 1998 Worlds in Germany. She was also a member of the Australian Olympic Committee for the 2000 & 2004 Olympics as an Athlete Liaison Officer. A three-time Basketball Australia International Player of the Year winner; her name now adorns that medal as acknowledgment for her incredible service to Australian basketball.
She was inducted into the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994 and became a WNBL Life Member in 1997. She served on the Australian Olympic Committee’s Executive and as chair of its Athletes Commission. Recognising her exceptional contributions, she was bestowed with the distinguished Medal of Australia in 2002. In 2022, Robyn also received the outstanding accolade of an induction into the prestigious FIBA Hall of Fame.
WNBL Life Member. Australian Basketball Hall of Famer. Sport Australia Hall of Famer. FIBA Hall of Famer. Leader. Winner. Inspiration. Robyn Maher is a superstar in every sense of the word, and her entry into the BNSW Hall of Fame is just recognition for one of the absolute best there is.
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.