INFLUENTIAL Geelong basketball figure Ron Dawson was farewelled this week after succumbing to cancer.
Mr Dawson, aged 70, was a life member of Basketball Geelong, the Geelong Supercats, Geelong YMCA Basketball Club and Basketball Victoria Country.
He was instrumental in the formation of a Geelong men’s team to be entered in Melbourne competition, leading to the Supercats’ eventual entry into the NBL in 1982.
Even while seriously ill, Mr Dawson was still organising fundraisers and events, including a roast for YMCA president Craig Herbert and bounce-as-thon fundraiser for brain cancer just weeks before his death.
Mr Dawson started his basketball the YMCA club before becoming heavily involved in the Geelong Amateur Basketball Association.
He was president of the Basketball Victoria Country Council between 1973 and 1978, and was awarded the Jack Terrrill Medal for his contribution to BVCC in 1974.
Mr Dawson’s basketball work assisted innumerable young players over two generations.
“He 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 his granddaughter Sarah Rainbow’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,” he said.
“Not too many people are irreplaceable but he’s one.”
