Lorraine Landon OAM is one of Australia’s most distinguished and influential basketball administrators, with a career spanning more than five decades across community, elite, national and international sport. Widely regarded as a trailblazer for women in sport leadership, Lorraine has played a pivotal role in shaping Australian basketball and advancing inclusive sporting pathways.

Lorraine’s involvement in basketball began as a player with the Bankstown Bruins, representing New South Wales from 1968 to 1975. Her deep understanding of the game quickly translated into coaching and administration, and in 1975 she was appointed General Manager of the Bankstown Basketball Association and Manager of Bankstown Basketball Stadium, helping establish the association and venue as leaders in Australian basketball.

Her impact extended to the national and international stage when she became Team Manager of the Australian women’s national team (the Opals), including the team’s first Olympic campaign in 1984 and the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. Lorraine later broke new ground in professional basketball administration, becoming the first woman to manage teams in both the men’s and women’s national leagues when she led operations for the Sydney Kings (NBL) and Sydney Uni Flames (WNBL). Under her leadership, the Flames secured multiple championships, and both programs were recognised for their professionalism and high performance standards.

Lorraine’s contribution to major events is a defining feature of her legacy. She served as Basketball Competition Manager for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, and also oversaw wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and intellectual disability basketball at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. Her work was widely acknowledged for setting new benchmarks in event delivery and athlete experience.

At a governance and policy level, Lorraine held senior executive roles with Basketball Australia, including General Manager of National Teams and Competitions, and served internationally as Vice-President of the FIBA Women’s Commission. Throughout her career, she has been a passionate advocate for women in sport and for athletes with disabilities, particularly through her ongoing involvement in wheelchair basketball.

In recognition of her extraordinary service, Lorraine was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2011. She is an inductee of the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame and Sport Australia Hall of Fame, a recipient of the IOC Women in Sport Award, IOC Golden Rings, and the FIBA Order of Merit, and has been elevated to Legend status in the Basketball NSW Hall of Fame.

Lorraine Landon OAM’s legacy is defined by leadership, integrity and an unwavering commitment to inclusive, world-class sport. Her contribution has left an enduring impact on basketball in Australia and around the world.