The Bankstown Sports Group would like to congratulate 12 former athletes associated with our sporting clubs who were recently inducted into the Bankstown Sporting Hall of Fame at the John Mackay Indoor Sports Centre, at Bankstown Memorial Oval. 

The Bankstown Sporting Hall of Fame acknowledges and honours members of the local community for their outstanding sporting achievements, and serves as a point of interest to residents, visitors, sport enthusiasts, and school children.

Youcef Abdi – Athletics 

Youcef has represented Australia in several Commonwealth Games in the men’s 1500m and the steeplechase, and he was the number two all-time Australian 3000m steeplechaser. 

Youcef was the key architect in the establishment of Bankstown Sports Athletics Club's Little Athletics program four years ago. He was elected to the original BSAC board of directors in 2021 and remains a director. He plays an ongoing, pivotal role in Bankstown Sports Athletics Club's operations. 

Luke Adams – Athletics 

Luke is a current member of the Bankstown Sports Athletics Club and first competed in international race-walking in 1994, coming 24th in the 10km World Junior Championships. 

He has represented Australia at numerous Commonwealth Games and Olympics Games. 

Paul Croft – Athletics 

Paul represented Australia in four Paralympic Games and was the team captain and flag bearer at the 1988 Seoul Paralympics, where he ran the 10,000m. He holds the Australian record for his category.  

In 2000, he qualified for the Sydney Paralympics as a member of the sitting volleyball team. Beyond the Paralympics, Paul has represented Australia in various disabled volleyball, sitting volleyball and table tennis competitions. 

Sean Eadie – Cycling 

Sean began his cycling journey aged 10 and has been a dedicated member of the Bankstown Sports Cycling Club since 1997. 

He has competed at World Championships, Commonwealth and Olympic Games. 

Since retiring from competitive cycling, Sean has continued to contribute to the sport as a member of the Bankstown Sports Cycling Club, where he remains active and involved in the cycling community. 

Alex Fulcher – (deceased) – Cycling 

During his cycling career, Alex served as the Australian and NSW road and track cycling coach,and held team roles at the Edinburgh 1978 and Brisbane 1982 Commonwealth Games and the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games. He held various other roles within cycling too, including selector, Cycling NSW president and Cycling Australia vice president. 

Alex is also a former Director of Bankstown Sports Club. 

Ashleigh Gardner – Cricket 

Ash was born in Bankstown and played for Bankstown Sports Women’s Cricket Club. She has played for New South Wales in the Women's National Cricket League (WNCL), for the Sydney Sixers in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) and for the Gujarat Giants in the Women's Premier League (WPL). She has won three world championships and four national titles with her respective teams, while also gaining numerous individual honours, including being awarded the Belinda Clark Award twice.

Rochelle Gilmore – Cycling 

Rochelle started cycle racing as an under-fives BMX rider. At 14, Rochelle moved into road and track cycling with the Bankstown Sports Cycling Club. 

She has represented Australia at several Commonwealth Games and World Championships. 

Rochelle remains a member of Bankstown Sports Cycling Club even after retirement 

Jessica Hull – Athletics 

Jess is a 10-year member of the Bankstown Spots Athletics Club. She attends the Crest athletics stadium regularly when in Australia, either racing in AA/ANSW/BSAC meets, training or commentating on Live Stream broadcasts.

She has conducted coaching drills with Bankstown Sports Little Athletics and is extremely generous of her time.  

Jess recently won silver in the women’s 1500m at the Paris Olympics. 

Kim Lembryk – Football (Soccer) 

Kim played at the Bankstown Sports Strikers at the Crest and also played indoor football at the Bankstown YMCA in Revesby 

She was part of the team at the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup held in Sweden and scored four goals representing Australia.  

Mark Milligan – Football (Soccer) 

Mark started his grassroots football career at his local club, Birrong Sports Football Club in the Bankstown District in 1991. 

He played in four World Cups with the Socceroos and represented Australia all over the world. 

He is currently a football expert commentator and analyst at 10 Sport. He is also currently an assistant coach for A-League men’s club, Adelaide United. 

Alan Thompson – Swimming 

As the Swimming Australia national head coach (2005-2010), Alan steered the Australian swim team to its most successful Olympic campaign in history in Beijing (2008), where they won a record 20 medals. 

He was also Swimming Australia national team coach from 2001-2004 and Swimming Australia national team manager from 1993-2000. 

Growing up, Alan was a member of both Bankstown Sports Junior Rugby League Club and Bankstown Sports Athletics Club. 

Michelle Watson – Football (Soccer) 

Michelle played all her junior football for Crest Strikers Soccer Club, now known as Bankstown Sports Strikers FC. 

Michelle was a part of the team at the 1994 OFC Women's Championship and 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup in Sweden. Michelle played 18 caps for Australia. 

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Bankstown Sports congratulates all Hall of Fame inductees and thanks them for their service to grassroots sport in our area. 

For more information on the Hall of Fame - https://www.cbcity.nsw.gov.au/sport-and-recreation/sporting-hall-fame