Hall of Fame honour for Opals coach

Hoops legend Sandy Brondello is set to join the country’s sporting elite after being named in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026.

Brondello, the current Opals coach, was among seven new inductees at Melbourne Park on Wednesday, joining an illustrious list of Australian sporting legends including Cathy Freeman, Ian Thorpe and Dawn Fraser.

The other six inductees include former Australia Roller Dylan Alcott, as well as Lisa Sthalekar, Dale Begg-Smith, Shannon Eckstein, Natalie Ward and Barry Dancer.

A trailblazer of Australian women’s basketball, Brondello, who played 192 WNBL games and won the 1995 MVP, has enjoyed an extraordinary career both as a player and coach, representing the Opals at four Olympic Games before transitioning to the sidelines.

Since taking the reins as Opals head coach in 2017, Brondello has guided the team to bronze medals at the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Sydney and the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Her success also extends to the WNBA, where she has won two championships as a head coach and now leads the league’s newest franchise, the Toronto Tempo.

Basketball Australia CEO Matt Scriven said the recognition was a proud moment for Australian basketball, with both Brondello and Alcott being inducted.

“Sandy and Dylan have both made an incredible impact on Australian basketball, and it’s fantastic to see them recognised among the country’s sporting greats,” Scriven said.

“While their paths have been different, both have achieved so much throughout their careers and continue to contribute to Australian sport in meaningful ways.

“We’re extremely proud of everything they’ve achieved and the positive influence they continue to have.”

All seven individuals will be formally inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame at the Induction and Awards Gala on Tuesday, November 24 at Centrepiece, Melbourne Park.