At a special function held on the SCG field of play and in front of the heritage Members and Ladies pavilions, the ranks of life members grew from 33 to 45.
The new life members are:
• Graham Arnold (football)
• Ken Arthurson (rugby league)
• David Campese (rugby union)
• Belinda Clark (cricket)
• Richard Colless (Australian Rules)
• Glenn McGrath (cricket)
• Michael O’Loughlin (Australian Rules)
• Nick Politis (rugby league)
• Cheryl Salisbury (football)
• Basil Sellers (philanthropy)
• Mark Taylor (cricket)
• Steve Waugh (cricket)
All 12 inductees attended and were presented their life membership badges by existing life members including sprint legend Marlene Mathews, rugby league great Ron Coote and triple international Michael Cleary. Earlier in the night, they were greeted by NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper and Venues NSW chairman David Gallop and CEO Kerrie Mather.
Matildas icon Cheryl Salisbury and current Socceroos coach Graham Arnold are the first football Life Members, while long-serving Sydney Swans chairman Richard Colless and premiership winner Michael O’Loughlin are the first Swans honoured.
Three of Australia’s greatest cricket captains in Belinda Clark, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh were recognised for feats on the field and significant ongoing contributions off it. Fast bowler Glenn McGrath was also honoured as much for his career as for the McGrath Foundation’s partnership with Sydney’s New Year’s Test that continues to help families all around Australia. Australian sport’s most generous man, Basil Sellers, was recognised for his support of sport and the arts, particularly cricket, the Sydney Swans and the sculpture project that carries his name in the SCG precinct.
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