Curtley
Years ago
A great article about the first Sydney Kings Coach who is also the only Aboriginal coach in NBL history.
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/mar/05/the-forgotten-story-of-claude-williams
I really think this guy should be a commentator and the NBL should approach NITV about broadcasting games.
Harry Hackrein
Years ago
Great article. Claude's a forgotten name in the history of the NBL as is the late Owen Wells.
Bear
Years ago
Nice read, seems a top bloke. We don't need an Uncle Drew, we have Uncle Claude...
NBL has had so many firsts in Australian sport including a very progressive league in the 80s and 90s with the first indigenous coach of a PRO sports team yet despite this and many other firsts and records people just brush it off as irrelevant.
Other firsts:
the first pro true national league in Aus from coast to coast and every major capital and regional city (back when there was NSWRL & VFL which were totally backwards)
first and only league to date with regional tv deals for each team
playing at night on primetime tv (unlike the above two state bush leagues playing all fixtures in the afternoon - their grounds didn't even have lighting and one game per week on tv - lol!)
so many other firsts also NBL was the trailblazer of professionalism in aus leagues with Canberra Cannons the first privately owned team in aus
other quirky (world) records:
husband and wife reffing the same game (Butler and Caldwell)
father and son in the same game (DMac and junior)
whatever happens to the NBL we have these memories although the general public are such sheep they have no idea how iconic the league was
Good posts above the blank one. NBL has great history and a trailblazer of pro sport in Australia.
Happy to call Claude a friend. A great sportsman across 2 different levels of elite sport in Oz.
SteveK2
Years ago
husband and wife reffing the same game (Butler and Caldwell)
Aren't they separated so the ex is her boss now! oooo
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