Basketball NSW is saddened with the news of the death of Hall of Fame and Life Member Bruce Leonard; Bruce passed away on Monday 14th December 2020.
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 celebrated 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.
Basketball NSW would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Bruce Leonard.
Bruce Leonard
21 May 1941 – 14 December 2020
Funeral Details
Sat, 19 Dec at 11 am at the Grafton Cathedral, there is also an overflow venue being held at the Bruce Leonard Pavilion at the stadium.
If you are unable to make it to Grafton, you can watch the service live HERE the 4-digit code is: 4421