Glenn Marsland

HTML <h2><strong>No 38 </strong><strong>GLENN MARSLAND</strong></h2>

HTML <h2><strong>6 feet 2 inch (187cm) Guard</strong></h2>

HTML <h2><strong>1972 Olympic Games</strong></h2>

HTML <p>The year was 1962. The selection trials for the South Australian Uniting Church Under 16 team had been in full swing. There was one position left to be filled and two youngsters were competing for the final position. The selectors were in two minds so they asked 1964 Olympic Coach and senior South Australian Coach Keith Miller whom should they choose? He chose Glenn Marsland. It was a defining moment for Glenn as he not only played for Uniting Church but this led to his selection in the South Australian Under 16 team to play at the Australian Championships. The opportunity also led Glenn to play at the great West Adelaide Club where he became a Captain and a Coach.</p>

HTML <p>Glenn Maynard Marsland was born June 30th, 1947 in Adelaide, South Australia. He became involved in basketball at the age of nine playing for Yatala Methodist in the South Australian Uniting Church Association on Saturday afternoons. </p>

HTML <p>The major influences in his basketball career were Jeff Bayliss at Yatala Methodist, Keith Miller (Olympic Coach 1964) and Alan Dawe (Assistant Olympic Coach 1980) at the West Adelaide Basketball Club.</p>

HTML <p>Glen joined the West Adelaide Club in 1962 and played with them until 1978. He represented South Australia in 1962 (under 16’s), 1963 and 1964 (under 18’s), and 1967 to 1977 (Senior’s).</p>

HTML <p>He toured to Singapore and thePhilippineswith West Adelaide, and to the Philippines and USA with South Australia.</p>

HTML <p>Glenn also received a Basketball Blue from the University of Adelaide and is a Player Life Member of the West Adelaide Basketball Club</p>

HTML <p>He captained the South Australia’s Men’s Team from 1973 to 1977 and was a member of South Australian Teams who were Australian champions in 1968, 1972 and 1975. </p>

HTML <p>His Australian representation commenced when he was selected to represent Australia on the pre-Olympic world tour 1971/72 to the USA, parts of Europe and Asia. </p>

HTML <p>This tour was used as a guide to selecting the 1972 Olympic Basketball Team.His performances on that tour with Australia, with West Adelaide in Australian Club Championships, for South Australia at Australian Championships and at Australian selection trials in Melbourne won him selection on the Australian Basketball Team for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.</p>

HTML <p>Glenn’s abilities as a strong, tough, explosive playmaking guard, able to direct the Auburn Shuffle offense used by the Coach Lindsay Gaze, and aggressive defense were important to his selection and to the team’s performances.</p>

HTML <p>Glenn says, “The 1972 Munich Olympics were marred by the Palestinian terrorist attack on the Israeli building in the Olympic village. Prior to this the Games were a wonderful experience. The Opening Ceremony is something never to be forgotten. The camaraderie between all the athletes was good to experience.” He adds,“The most memorable games for me were against the USA, defeating 1970 World Champions Brazil and watching the Olympic Final between the USA and Russia.”</p>

HTML <p>The Australian Team finished 9th at Munich, which was the equal best Australian result at an Olympic Games. The team lost some extremely close games and with a little more luck could have finished in a higher position. </p>

HTML <p>Glenn returned from the Munich Olympics and continued to be a strong force in Australian basketball. He captained South Australia on its tour of USA in 1973 and then won selection on the Australian Team for the 1974 World Championships in Puerto Rico. The Australian Team finished 12th in that tournament.</p>

HTML <p>In 1978 Glenn Captained/Coached West Adelaide in the local Adelaide competition. He retired in 1979 and then returned to be Player/Coach of Norwood in 1980.</p>

HTML <p>Glenn changed employment in 1981 and moved to Darwin in 1982 where he played and coached until 1988. He then moved to Alice Springs and played in the local competition. In 1991 he moved to Townsville and then in 1992 moved to Cairns to play briefly in the local competitions.</p>

HTML <p>Glenn continued to play social basketball and Masters basketball and finally “hung up his boots” in 2008 after playing in a number of Central Australian Masters Games, Australian Masters Games and the 2002 World Masters in Melbourne.</p>

HTML <p>Glenn Marsland was an outstanding player in his generation, an Olympian and one of the finest players ever to represent South Australia. </p>

HTML <p>Glenn lives in Adelaide.</p>

HTML <p>Glenn Marsland (4)drives to the basket against Bill Wyatt (4) and Toli Koltun (15)</p>

HTML <p>(Courtesy of G. Marsland)</p>

HTML <p>Glenn Marsland shooting a free-throw for Australia</p>

HTML <p>(Courtesy G. Marsland)</p>