Liesl Tesch to be inducted into NSW Hall of Champions
Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch will be inducted later in November into the NSW Hall of Champions for her contributions in wheelchair basketball and sailing in the Paralympics.
She is among six to be inducted this year.
The others are rugby union player Phil Kearns, basketballer Brad Dalton, soccer players Craig Johnston and Joanne 'Joey' Peters and gymnast Prashanth Sellathurai.
The NSW Champions of Sport ceremony will be held at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Darling Harbour on Monday, November 28.
NSW Sport Hall of Champions committee chair Mr Alan Whelpton said the accomplishments of the inductees during their distinguished careers earned them selection.
"The inductees are recognised for their outstanding sports careers which saw them reach the pinnacle of their chosen sport.
"They represented their country, state, sport, and themselves with distinction and inspired a new generation of athletes to follow in their footsteps," said Mr Whelpton.
The citation for Ms Tesch said: "Seven-time Paralympian in both basketball and sailing, Liesl Tesch has a record which may never be beaten.
"She competed with the Australian women's wheelchair basketball team, the Gliders at five consecutive Paralympic Games 1992 to 2008, winning silver in 2000 and 2004 and bronze in 2008.
"Liesl became the first woman to play wheelchair basketball professionally - playing internationally in men's teams,
"After retiring from basketball, Liesl won Paralympic gold sailing in the Skud18 at the 2012 and 2016 Games with Daniel Fitzgibbon.
"In 2017 she became the first wheelchair user to be elected to the NSW Parliament."
Sport NSW chairperson Ms Carolyn Campbell said the inductees reflected the inclusive nature of sport.
"Sport has the great ability to bring together male and female players of all abilities, shapes, sizes and ethnic backgrounds and provide the opportunity to enjoy organised competitions and the ability to excel and reach the highest levels," said Ms Campbell.
"These six new inductees to the NSW Hall of Champions have shown the way and we honour their selection," she added.
Hall of Champion inductees are approved by the Minister for Sport following recommendations from the Hall of Champions Selection Committee and NSW peak sporting bodies.
The NSW Hall of Champions is located at the Quaycentre, Sydney Olympic Park.
SOURCE:
Media release, 20 Oct 2022
Greg Campbell, Sport NSW