Hockey great Stephen Davies inducted into NSW Hall of Champions

The Parkes product and three-time Olympic medallist joins four fellow sporting greats at the NSW Champions of Sport ceremony on Monday, 23 November.

Hockey legend Stephen Davies is one of five of NSW’s and Australia’s finest athletes to be inducted into the NSW Hall of Champions at the NSW Champions of Sport ceremony at The Star Event Centre on Monday, 23 November.

Davies joins more than 400 sporting greats from 61 sports in the Hall. He is inducted alongside Jennifer Luff (Rowing), Rick McCosker OAM (Cricket), David Pescud OAM (Sailing) and Kathleen Shannon-Bazzano (Cycling).

Stephen Davies (Hockey)
Davies represented Australia 274 times and scored 151 goals, making him the fifth-highest scorer to date. He played at three consecutive Summer Olympic Games and won a silver and two bronze medals. He helped Australia win gold at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, and he was inducted into the Hockey Australia Hall of Fame in 2016.

Hockey NSW President Alex El-Shamy said Davies inspired a generation of players across the state.

“I grew up watching Stephen Davies play, and like so many young hockey players across NSW, I was in awe of him. He had that rare combination of pace, flair and an instinct for goal that made you want to pick up a stick and get out on the field.

“What made Stephen so special was where he came from. He learned the game on the grass fields of Parkes and went on to win medals at three Olympic Games. For kids in the bush, he proved that being the best in the world wasn’t just a dream. It was a path you could actually follow.

“His induction into the NSW Hall of Champions is richly deserved. At Hockey NSW, our job is to create more heroes like Stephen: players who inspire the next generation in every one of our 27 Member Associations, from the city to the country.”

The 2026 inductees

• Jennifer Luff (Rowing): Luff won 16 national titles over nine years in two boat classes, sculling and sweep-oar. She represented Australia five times at the World Championships. She placed eighth in the Women’s Double Scull at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and fifth in the Women’s Eight at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
• Rick McCosker OAM (Cricket): McCosker was a consistent opening batter who made 27 centuries and 43 half-centuries in 127 first-class matches. He played 25 Tests for Australia and played in the inaugural men’s Cricket World Cup in 1975. He was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1976 and awarded the OAM in 1984 for service to cricket.
• David Pescud OAM (Sailing): Pescud founded the Making Waves Foundation, formerly Sailors with disAbilities. He skippered the first boat crewed by people with disabilities in the 1994 Sydney to Hobart. His crews have twice won their division and set two World Sailing speed records. He received the OAM in 2023 for service to people with disability.
• Kathleen Shannon-Bazzano (Cycling): Shannon-Bazzano was National Road Champion a record-equalling four times. She won bronze in the Road Race at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games and competed at the 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Since her breast cancer diagnosis in 2010 she has taken part in many fundraising activities. She was inducted into the AusCycling Hall of Fame in 2020.

NSW Sport Hall of Champions Committee Chair Alan Whelpton AO congratulated the five inductees.

“The five inductees are very worthy additions to the Hall of Champions. Each are recognised for their outstanding sports careers which saw them represent their country, state, sport, and themselves with distinction,” said Mr Whelpton.

“Their contribution to sport goes beyond the field of play. Through their unwavering dedication and steadfast commitment, they have shown the next generation of athletes the pathway to unleashing their potential and enjoy success at the highest levels.”

Sport NSW Chief Executive Ellie Laing-Southwood also paid tribute to the new inductees.

“Stephen, Jennifer, Rick, David and Kathleen exemplify the hallmarks of being a sports champion and we are thrilled to see them join an illustrious cohort of outstanding athletes. They have served their sport and the wider sports community with honour and distinction,” said Ms Laing-Southwood.

The Minister for Sport approves Hall of Champions inductees on the recommendation of the Hall of Champions Selection Committee and NSW peak sporting bodies. The NSW Hall of Champions is located at the Quaycentre, Sydney Olympic Park (quaycentre.com.au/NSW-Hall-of-Champions).

Tickets to the NSW Champions of Sport ceremony are on sale now at sportnsw.com.au/events/384946.