The youngest player to debut for Australia’s national men’s hockey team, Greg Browning went on to be a key figure for the Kookaburras throughout the 1970’s and early eighties.
Greg started his career as a player with Redcliffe Hockey Club before moving to Bulimba as Player / Coach and then to South West United as Player Coach. He represented Brisbane Hockey Association as a Player from 1969 to 1983.
Redcliffe Hockey Team - 1973 Brisbane Hockey Premiers
Back Row: Graham Barnes, John Swift, Nev Browning, Don Argus (Coach) Greg Browning, Rob Somers (Capt) Vern Jensen. Front Row: Bob Bullock, Peter Doherty, Les Somers, David McNulty, Ian Barsby, Greg Meyer, John Franklin.
Greg Browning was first selected for the Queensland Open Team in 1969 and he continuously represented his state for a period of 15 years until 1983. At the time he was the youngest player ever selected in the Queensland Open Team.
Then at the age of just 16, the young forward became the 217th player capped for Australia as he was thrust into his first international, walking out for the Kookaburras against New Zealand on 19 August 1969 in Melbourne.
He made an immediate impact on the right wing for Australia with his speed and strength on the ball, turning defenders and setting up teammates with perfectly timed passing. It was no surprise when he was selected in the inaugural World Cup team to play in Barcelona in 1971, aged 18.
That was the start of an extended career with the Kookaburras as he was selected for the national team every year until 1982, going on to score 28 goals and make 145 appearances. Given the nickname ‘Sundance’ because of his long, blonde hairstyle, Greg was selected for three Olympics, first in 1972 in Munich, the 1976 Games in Montreal where the team won the silver medal, and also the Moscow Games in 1980 which were boycotted for political reasons.
He attended four World Cups first in 1971 in Barcelona, then 1975 in Kuala Lumpur, 1978 in Buenos Aires where the team won a Bronze Medal and finally in 1982 in Bombay (a Bronze Medal). He also attended 3 Championship Trophies in 1978 Lahore (Silver Medal), 1980 Kuala Lumpur (Bronze Medal) and Amsterdam (Silver Medal).
Greg retired after the Olympic boycott but Australian Coach at the time, Richard Aggiss enticed him from retirement to play in the World Cup in Bombay in December 1981 and the Champions Trophy in Amsterdam in 1982 before Greg announced his retirement ending an illustrious hockey career. Greg has remained involved in Hockey, coaching at all levels in his home state of Queensland, including leading Queensland to numerous Australian Hockey League titles.
He was employed by the Brisbane Hockey Association in 1996 as Coaching / Athlete Development Officer and was appointed Queensland's Academy of Sports / NTC (Blades) Coach from 1997 to 2008. He coached the Queensland Blades team to numerous Australian Hockey League titles and was runner up on several occasions.
Greg Browning has been recognised by Hockey Queensland when he was first inducted into Hockey Queensland's Hall of Fame in 2002 and further recognised with Distinguished Player Award when initiated in 2008. He was also named in Queensland's Team of the Century in 2008. He was awarded Queensland's Hockey Association Award of Merit in 1995.
He has served on numerous Queensland committees – member Coaching and Development Committee 2002 to 2008, member of Appointments committee for Coaches 2000 to 2008, Manager's appointment committee in 2008 and also Appointments committee for selectors 2008.
From 1999 to 2008 he was a selector for Queensland Open, U/21 and Country men, also a Queensland U/18 Men's selector from 1999 to 2008. Greg also served as Australian Open Men's selectors from 1989 to 1995.
Greg was awarded Queensland’s Hockey Association Award of Merit in 1995 before being inducted into Hockey Queensland’s Hall of Fame in 2002. His career was further recognised with a Distinguished Player Award when initiated in 2008, and he was also named in Queensland’s Team of the Century in 2008.
Greg also served as a selector for the Kookaburras from 1989 to 1995.
In 2002, Greg was inducted into the Queensland Hockey Hall of Fame.
Greg’s induction into the Hockey Australia Hall of Fame was ratified in 2016.
Greg Browning is listed on the wall of the Redcliffe Wall of Fame:
A collection of portrait and information honouring the achievements of individuals who have influenced and shaped Redcliffe. The collection is in the Jetty Arcade at 139-141 Redcliffe Parade.
For a complete list of people who appear on the wall click on the following blog post: