Vale, Alan Dawe: South Australian hoops legend

• Alan Dawe was the Glenelg Tigers head coach in the first year of NBL in 1979
• He was selected in the 1960 Australian Olympic Games Team‍
• He was an Australian senior men’s assistant coach from 1977 1980

Australian basketball pioneer and Olympian Alan Dawe has passed away, aged 91, surrounded by family in his beloved home town of Adelaide, South Australia.

His influential career in Australian basketball is legendary in South Australia, encompassing more than three decades of excellence as a player, coach, and mentor.

Dawe, born in 1934, was a trailblazer whose contributions help shape the Australian men's basketball landscape for generations.

Dawe’s playing career began in 1952 with the West Adelaide Basketball Club, where he played more than 500 games up until 1963. His dedication to the game was unparalleled, and his skill and leadership were quickly recognised. Representing South Australia at the senior level from 1954 to 1963, Dawe captained the team in 1962 and 1963, leaving a legacy of excellence and inspiration for generations of players.

His play earned him back-to-back Noel Woollacott Medals in 1958 and 1959, as South Australia’s best and fairest player.

On the international stage, Dawe was selected as a reserve for the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, a pivotal moment in Australian basketball history. He went on to represent his country at the 1960 Rome Olympics*. These achievements laid the groundwork for Australia’s presence on the global basketball stage.

After his playing career, Dawe transitioned seamlessly into coaching, where his influence grew exponentially. As the senior coach of the West Adelaide Basketball Club from 1964 to 1975, Dawe led the team to six state titles.

His success continued as the South Australian State coach (1969-1976), winning three Australian titles in 1970, 1972, and 1973. He developed and mentored some of Australia’s greatest basketballers, such as Olympians Werner Linde, Glenn Marsland, Peter Ali, Ian Davies, Phil Smyth and Australian representatives Rick Hodges, Mark Lampshire and Ray Wood.  

At Glenelg Basketball Club, he guided the team to two state titles and served as its inaugural coach in the National Basketball League's debut season in 1979.

Nationally, Dawe played a pivotal role in developing Australian basketball. He served as an Australian Olympic selector (1972-1980) and assistant coach for the Australian senior men’s team (1977-1980), contributing significantly to the team’s efforts at the 1978 World Championships and the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

His influence extended beyond the court, earning him numerous accolades, including the Apollo Stadium Commemorative Medal, the Australian Basketball Association Merit Award (1982), and the Australian Sport Medal.

Alan's son Peter said despite being honoured with life memberships at both the West Adelaide Basketball Club and the South Australian Basketball Association, along with Hall of Fame inductions and Legend status, it's past time he is recognised nationally.

Peter said his father was "fit and healthy until he had a fall on Australia Day and fractured his hip. He never recovered from the surgery".

He was walking into a Glenelg Tigers players reunion.

"His induction into the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame is overdue," Peter added.

Alan Dawe's basketball accomplishments

• Played more than 500 games for the West Adelaide Basketball club from 1952 to 1963
• Represented South Australia at senior level from 1954-1963
• South Australian state captain 1962-1963
• Dual Noel Woollacott medallist (South Australian basketball’s best fairest award) 1958-59
• Australian Olympic reserve the 1956 Melbourne Olympics
• Australian Olympic team 1960 Rome Olympics*
• Life membership of the West Adelaide Basketball club  
• Life member of the South Australian Basketball association    
• South Australian Basketball Hall of Fame (induction 1999)
• West Adelaide Basketball club Hall of Fame (Legend status)
• West Adelaide senior coach from 1964-1975 (Six state titles)
• South Australian State coach 1969-1976 (Three Australian titles 1970,1972, 1973)
• Glenelg Basketball club senior coach 1977-79 (two state titles)
• Glenelg Basketball club’s inaugural National basketball league coach in the first year of the national competition
• Apollo Stadium Commemorative Medal All Star coach 1969-1991
• Australian Olympic selector from 1972-1980
• Australian senior men’s assistant coach 1977-1980 (world championships Philippines 1978 and Moscow Olympics 1980)
• Australian Basketball Association Merit Award 1982
• Australian Sport Medal

* The Australian men's team travelled to Rome for Olympics Games in 1960 but had to play in the Euro Qualifiers in Rome before the main tournament because there was no Asian zone at that time. It's why FIBA and Basketball Australia don't list Australia competing at that Olympiad.