ACT Sport Hall of Fame – Associate Member
Upon retirement from an elite basketball career that first commenced in the Shoalhaven, and one that included membership of the Australian squad from 1972-76, journalistic opportunities quickly came knocking for Phil Lynch. He commenced with WIN TV commentating for the fledging National Basketball League in 1979, emerging as the nation’s leading basketball commentator. He anchored network television coverage for four Olympic Games – Los Angeles, Seoul, Atlanta and Sydney, along with four world championships, allowing audiences to ride the wave of emotions with him as Australian basketball first fought for recognition and excellence on the world stage. It was basketball that bought Phil to Canberra’s local media in 1983, travelling up from the coast to commentate on the Cannons for Capital 7. As a move to the ACT was made permanent in 1987, Phil became a constant, and very obvious presence, on the local sporting landscape at a time when there were a number of television media outlets covering local news and sport. As Sports Editor of Prime Television, he became a respected voice, connecting to the local sporting community well beyond the basketball courts on which he first established himself. This local connection continued for Phil over the following decades, engaged in supporting various community sport events, presentations and judging processes, while being a continued journalistic presence and respected voice for sport.