By Glen Atwell
SANDY Blythe was inspired.
Born a leader and a future elite athlete, his sporting career touched the hearts of many.
A legend of wheelchair basketball, Blythe was honoured and remembered at Dandenong Basketball Stadium on Saturday night.
It was the first time the Dandenong Basketball Association had retired a playing uniform but, after a stellar career that included a Paralympic gold medal in 1996, putting the number-four singlet in the locker forever was a fitting farewell to Dandenong’s favourite son.
Blythe turned to wheelchair basketball in his teenage years after his promising Australian rules football career was cut short by a motor vehicle accident.
Using his natural athleticism and desire to be the best he could be, he went on to become one of Australia’s most inspiring and decorated athletes.
Blythe represented Australia at four Paralympic Games and three World Championships in an international career that spanned 14 years from 1988 to 2002.
The highlight for Sandy was co-captaining the Australian Rollers men’s team to the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games, the first international basketball gold medal won by an Australian team.
Two years later, Blythe captained the Australian team at the 1998 World Championships and was selected in the World All Star team.
He was then selected as men’s captain of the Australian paralympic team at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.
But his true colours were green and yellow and his dedication to the Dandenong Rangers was unsurpassed.
He led the Rangers in the National Wheelchair Basketball League as captain or playing coach for many years.
His passion for the local side was rewarded in 2000, when, after finishing runner-up for many seasons, the Rangers finally won their inaugural National Championship.
But Blythe’s professionalism never rested solely on the court.
He was a mentor to many athletes and provided inspiration and motivation to thousands of Australians through public speaking and his autobiography ‘Blythe Spirit’.
He touched the hearts of those he met and it seemed his determination was contagious.
But after the Sydney Paralympic Games, Blythe fought his toughest battle.
It was against a debilitating illness, later diagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome, and its effects forced him to retire from the game he cherished.
After a long struggle, Blythe died in November last year.
Since his death, he has been honoured with a posthumous life membership to Wheelchair Sports Victoria and the naming of the Sandy Blythe Medal by Basketball Australia, to be awarded annually to the most outstanding male international wheelchair basketballer.
On Saturday night, one of Blythe’s close mates, Nick Morris, told the Dandenong crowd of his courageous nature and passion to be the best.
Blythe’s partner, Paula Coghlan, presented Gavin Cooke, chairperson of the Dandenong Basketball Association board, with a framed Rangers singlet, sporting the number four.
Sandy Blythe career highlights
Paralympic Games: 1988, 1992, 1996 (gold medal), 2000
World Championships: 1994, 1998, 2002
National League: Champions 2000, Coach of the Year (1999)
All Star Five (1992, 1994-99, 2000-02)
Most Valuable Player 2002
