Barry Barnes OAM

Barry Barnes OAM began playing basketball at 14 and was selected in the Victorian State Junior Representative Teams from 1956 to 1959. He became a Senior State Representative in 1960 and even after suffering a work related injury leaving him partially blind in one eye, he still achieved success as a member of the 1962 Australian National Men’s World Championship Team. His efforts were further rewarded when in 1964 he was awarded the Alan Hughes Medal for being the best Victorian player at the National Senior Championships. Retiring from playing in 1970, Barry made the decision to embark on what was to become a successful coaching career. From 1978 to 1987 Barry was Head Coach of the Nunawading Spectres National Basketball League Team. His talent was proven when he was awarded the NBL Coach of the Year in 1980 then took the Nunawading Spectres to an NBL Grand Final appearance in 1981. In 1985 he was appointed as Assistant Coach to the Australian Men’s Basketball Team, a position he held until 1992. During this time Barry attended two World Championships and both the Seoul and Barcelona Olympic Games while continuing to coach in the NBL as Head Coach of the Geelong Supercats. From 1992 to 1994 Barry was Head Coach of the Canberra Cannons NBL side. In 1993 Barry was promoted to Head Coach of the Australian Men’s Basketball Team and maintained this position for seven years, coaching at two World Championships and to an equal best result of 4th at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996 and Sydney in 2000. Barry’s commitment and dedication to basketball was acknowledged in 1998 when he was the first of only two coaches to be inducted into the NBL Hall of Fame. Throughout his memorable coaching career he has a win-loss record of 191-156 over his 14 seasons in the NBL and has been an inspiration to a number of his former players who have also become NBL and Australian Representative coaches.   BASKETBALL Born: 29 March 1942 Inducted: 2006   Associate Member