It is with sadness that Basketball NSW confirm that former Referee and Hunter Academy of Sport Chief Executive Officer Ken Clifford has passed away. Ken had endured a recent battle with cancer and passed away Monday night August 31st.
Ken received his Australian Badge in 1971 and went on to gain his FIBA Badge in 1978.
Ken was a pioneer with the Basketball NSW referees having served as Vice President from 1972 – 1977 and 1986 as well as being Secretary for from 1978 to 1985. A member of the Examination Panel from 1972-1982 and 1985-1988 Ken was also the Rules Interpreter in 1981 and from 1985 to 1988. Ken continued hisservice to officials right up until he retired from the NBL, where he refereed from the beginning officiating in 145 games and officiated on the first NBL Grand Final.
Oceania Basketball was where Ken went to the Pacific Island Countries to assist with referee education touring Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia in 1987 then American Samoa, Western Samoa in 1988 and American Samoa again in 1990. Ken wrote for the Oceania Confederation and article on his Island Experiences which was published in the 1991 25 Years of the Oceania Confederation describing his work.
Ken was extremely well known and respected within the Hunter sporting community as both a participant and administrator and was the central figure in building the Hunter Academy of Sport to where it stands today. A former teacher and sports organiser at Wallsend High School, Ken led the Academy for 27 years until his retirement last year. Without his dedication and tireless effort, many athletes from across the Hunter would not have been afforded the opportunities they were given to pursue their dreams. For this Ken will always be remembered.
Ken served in many capacities in the sport of basketball over an extended period in excess of 50 years.
The Board, members and staff of Basketball NSW express their deepest condolences to wife Laraine and Stephanie, Jacqueline, Glen and Rochelle and grandchildren.
There will be a memorial service for Ken Clifford to be held at 11am on Friday September 11th, at the Newcastle Basketball Stadium, Corner Young and Curley Roads BROADMEADOW NSW.