David Claxton

David Claxton came to Queensland from Tasmania in 1973 and has been a loyal servant of the game in Queensland ever since. On his arrival from Tasmania David joined the North West Districts club and had coaching success at a Brisbane championship level and at the Australian Club titles.

After captaining Queensland in 1974 and 1975, he coached the Queensland men’s team in 1976 and 1977 taking Queensland to its best national ranking – third in 1977. In 1979 David took the Gold Coast side to the national club titles and along the way won the inaugural Queensland Club Championships and the initial AAABL crown.

David’s coaching of junior basketball has included: Coaching North West Districts junior teams in the Brisbane competition, Coaching at Queensland state championships in 1984 –1986; 1988 Coaching at Australian championships in1986 – 1990. David Claxton was one of those instrumental in the establishment of the Queensland State League competition, designed to provide a stepping stone from junior ranks to the NBL. His coaching within the state league and Queensland senior leagues included: Coaching the Brisbane Brewers to third place in the foundation year of 1986. Head coach of the Gold Coast Goannas in the State League 2001 – 2004.

David’s National Basketball League coaching career included: Brisbane Bullets: Coach in 1980 and1981 and assistant coach in 1988 and 1989. David also spent several years coordinating the Bullets development program thus influencing the development of many elite junior players. Gold Coast Rollers: Coach from 1991 to 1996 ; Adelaide 36ers: Head coach 1997; Wollongong Hawks: Assistant coach 1999.

In addition, David was instrumental in the successful push for the Gold Coast Blaze to enter the NBL, where he took on the role of general manager. David was Assistant Coach of the Australian National men’s team, the Boomers, at the 1994 world championships.

For more than 15 years since 2001 David has worked as basketball director and head coach of The Southport School. David has provided a pathway for many Queensland country boys to participate in an elite basketball program and competition. Results include premiers in 2009 and premiers and champion school of Queensland in 2012.

For more than 40-years David Claxton has participated as a coach at every level of basketball in Queensland. He has mentored thousands of players and hundreds of coaches on their basketball journeys. He is indeed a very worthy member of the Class of 2016 of the Queensland Basketball Hall of Fame.