Triple Olympic basketball medallist Suzy Batkovic and 1984 Olympic shooting bronze medallist Patricia Dench are set to be inducted into the NSW Hall of Champions.
They will be two of five athletes to have their induction into the NSW Hall of Champions – alongside Alex Blackwell (Cricket), Murray Braund (Surf Lifesaving) and Tim Galvin (Rugby Union) – celebrated at the NSW Champions of Sport Ceremony at The Star Event Centre, Pyrmont on Monday 25 November.
With three Olympic Games medals, a FIBA World Championship bronze, three International Player of the Year Awards and all-time leading scorer in the WNBL, Suzy is one of Australia’s greatest women’s basketball players.
Patricia dominated pistol shooting in Australia from the mid 1970s to the mid 1980s and won Australia’s first Olympic medal in Shooting at the Los Angeles 1984.
The gala ceremony dinner will also celebrate the achievements of NSW athletes, coaches, administrators, and organisations across 12 award categories including Athlete of the Year and Athlete of the Year with a Disability.
NSW Hall of Champions Committee Chair, Alan Whelpton AO, said the elevation of Kelly to Legend status and the accomplishments of the five inductees during their distinguished careers earned them worthy selection.
“The five new inductees Suzy Batkovic, Alex Blackwell, Murray Braund, Pattie Dench and Tim Gavin reached the pinnacle in their chosen sport and paved the way for the next generation of athletes to aspire to reach greatness,” he added.
The NSW Hall of Champions is located at Quaycentre at Sydney Olympic Park. Tickets to the ceremony are available here.
Suzy Batkovic – Basketball
Playing for the Opals, Suzy won bronze in the 2002 World Championships and three Olympic medals, winning silver in 2004 and 2008, and bronze in 2012.
Suzy’s international career spanned seven years in Europe, between 2002 and 2009, with four Championships to her name, including a coveted Euroleague Championship.
In her 16-season Australian WNBL career, Suzy secured five titles, six MVP awards, and a record 29 Finals appearances. She played for the Sydney Uni Flames, the Sydney Panthers, the Townsville Fire, the Canberra Capitals, and the Adelaide Lightning. Her legacy endures through the Suzy Batkovic Medal for the MVP in the WNB League.
Suzy was elected as a Townsville City Councillor in 2020. She was inducted into the Basketball NSW and Basketball Australia Halls of Fame and appointed to the Basketball Australia Board in 2023.
Patricia Dench – Shooting
Patricia Dench dominated Pistol Shooting in Australia from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s.
She won Australia’s first Olympic Games medal in Shooting when claiming the bronze in Sports Pistol at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. She has also won three silver World Championship medals, considered the peak competition for shooters.
Pattie’s achievements are remarkable considering she only started shooting at age 42 in 1974.
She won silver in both the 25m Sport Pistol and the 10m Air Pistol Teams in her first World Championship in 1978 and won World Championship silver again the following year in the 10m Air Pistol.
The 25m Shooting Range at the Sydney International Shooting Centre is named in her honour.
