The Bendigo Braves and Bendigo Basketball Association (BBA) are pleased to announce 5 life memberships of the BBA.
At the conclusion of the NBL1 Womens match between Bendigo and Frankston this Saturday night, the following legends will receive recognition of their significant impact to the basketball community in Bendigo.
- Catherine Moller
- Paul Moller
- Justin Cass
- David Flint
- Andrea Walsh
Catherine Moller
Catherine started playing with Aztec Tigers Basketball Club in 1982 and quickly realized it wasn’t for her. She then took up scoring for domestic basketball games.
Given the tidiness and manner in which she completed the scoresheets, Catherine was invited to become an official scorer for the newly formed senior Braves teams who commenced competing in SEABL in 2015.
Catherine has gone on to represent Bendigo at SEABL/NBL1, NBL. WNBL and Internationally with FIBA.
Catherine has committed many years of service as an educator and mentor for new score table officials and has contributed greatly to the Bendigo Technical Officials committee capping 40 years of service to Bendigo Basketball.
Paul Mollor
Paul started playing basketball as a 7-year-old in 1973 and continued to play for the next 25 years with multiple domestic clubs.
During this time, Paul also took on the role of coaching for multiple teams.
When Paul’s wife Catherine got involved with scoretable for the Braves in 1990, Paul would help in a voluntary role as barman up in the sky lounge on game nights.
Paul then joined Catherine in 1991 on the score table for the Braves, and they’ve been doing that together ever since. Appointed to do Commonwealth Games in 2006 and the Boomers vs USA game at Marvel Stadium highlight numerous FIBA international events.
Paul became the Score table convenor when Paul Harrower stood down, became an educator and evaluator for the Victorian Scoretable Association, and organised the Scoretable for 3 National Schools Championship events.
Paul started refereeing at 46 and then became a referee coach.
He served on multiple boards and committees, starting with domestic club committees with terms as president and vice president, the Bendigo Technical Officials Committee, the BBA Board including a term as vice president and the board of the Bendigo Spirit.
Justin Cass
Justin made his debut for Senior Bendigo Braves at just 16 in 1985
he went on to play in 306 games across 14 seasons from 1985 to 2003
He was named Captain Senior Men Braves and was a member of the first SEABL Championship team in 1988
Selected & Represented County Victoria at the Basketball Australia National Championships as a junior
Justin was drafted by Hobart in the National Basketball League in 1990 and earned Rookie of the Year honours while amassing 153 games in the NBL.
As a coach, Justin has consistently coached Bendigo Junior Braves teams for 20 years and has served as an assistant coach with the NBL1 Senior Braves Men.
David Flint
David Flint joined the Bendigo Braves in 1987 and played over 300 games and 15 seasons until 2001.
Coached the Braves in SEABL, CBA, and ABA for 13 seasons and included the prestigious honour of being named Coach of the Decade by the SEABL
In 2012 was named the Bendigo Braves Greatest Player by the Bendigo Advertiser
In 1988, led the Braves to their first SEABL Championship as a player and coach
Further coaching experience includes coaching Junior Braves, Bendigo Spirit Assistant Coach in the Women’s National Basketball League and Victoria Country Coach at Basketball Australia National Championships.
Since David Flint arrived in Bendigo, he has had an impact and involvement with Bendigo Basketball, ensuring the development of athletes at all ages and levels. This continues today after 36 years of coaching at Bendigo.
Andrea Walsh
Andrea played domestic basketball in Bendigo from 1987 to 1995 and was selected in Junior Bendigo Braves Squad Teams from Under 12 through to Under 18’s
In 1992/1993, Andrea was selected to represent Victorian Country and subsequently received a Scholarship in Basketball Australia’s Intensive Training Centre Program and then selected in the All Australian Team with the camp held at the Australian Institute of Sport.
Andrea represented the Bendigo Braves Women (formerly known as the Lady Braves in the CVIBL, & SEABL from 1993-2009 over 14 seasons and was named Co-captain from 1993-2002.
Her playing career featured many team accomplishments, including Championships in 1998, 1999, 2002, 2005, and 2006, while she amassed many individual accolades, including being named League MVP, Grand Final MVP, and Club MVP in 2001, 2002, and 2005.
Andrea is the SEABL games record holder with 393 games, including 333 with the Bendigo Braves
Played 125 games in the Women’s National Basketball League for Melbourne Tigers, BuIleen Boomers, Townsville Fire and was a member of the Inaugural Bendigo Spirit team who entered into the WNBL in 2007/08 and was named as Co-Captain before retiring in 2009.
As a coach, Andrea has been the Head coach of the Braves Youth League side and an assistant coach with the Bendigo Braves in SEABL/NBL1 and the Bendigo Spirit in WNBL.
