By NOEL MURPHY
Teenager Sarah Rainbow is gearing up for this weekend’s Bounce for a Cure – a basketball marathon inspired by her ailing grandfather and Geelong legend of the sport Ron Dawson.
The event, at Newtown’s YMCA basketball stadium, will raise money for brain cancer research.
Mr Dawson, battling the illness, has been a stalwart of the ‘Y’ for more than 50 years as a player, administrator and coach. He was also instrumental in establishing Geelong Supercats in the late 1970s and in its elevation to the NBL.
Even while seriously ill he’s still organising fundraisers and events, including a roast for YMCA president Craig Herbert a fortnight ago.
“Ron’s been fantastic,” Mr Herbert said.
“He hopes to be at the bounce. I might see if I can get him working on the barbecue.”
Mr Dawson’s basketball work has benefitted innumerable young players over two generations.
“He’s in his 70s now and would have been involved for 55 or 60 years. He’s a life member of the YMCA for his involvement over that period,” Mr Herbert said.
“We have an award, basketballer of year, that’s been going for years – he’s won that five times.”
Mr Herbert said Mr Dawson had coached Sarah’s team right up until he fell ill.
“One of the very good things of the YMCA club is its great history and Ron’s managed keep everyone involved. He’s been instrumental in all sort of functions, the team of the century and reunions.
“Not too many people are irreplaceable but he’s one.”
More information on the fundraiser is available at facebook.com/bounceforacure.
