Vale: Geoff Oakley
Bowls Australia was deeply saddened to hear of the recent passing of former Australian representative and National Coach Geoff Oakley.
A renowned Western Australian, Oakley, 75, represented the Sandgropers on 243 occasions over two decades, from 1975 to the completion of the 1995 season.
Testament to his exceptional skill, Oakley claimed Western Australia’s most prestigious award, the Rosenthal Medal, on three occasions, in 1975, ’84, and ’90.
Cap number 60, Oakley donned the green and gold uniform for Australia at the 1978 Edmonton Commonwealth Games, where his pairs team finished in fourth place with nine wins and four losses.
Following a stellar playing career, Oakley was appointed as the Australian Men’s Coach and Manager, a position he held from 1999 to 2004, which included supporting the playing contingent as Team Manger at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games.
Oakley continued to give back to the sport he loved by becoming a Western Australian state selector in 2008.
Bowls Australia extends its deepest sympathies and condolences to the Oakley family.
Caption: Australian Coach Geoff Oakley, far right, with his 2000 World Championships overall team winners, Steve Glasson, Adam Jeffery, Brett Duprez, Mark Jacobsen and Rex Johnson, and Bowls Australia President Sonny Downs OAM, centre.
