Former Perth Lynx captain and games record holder Melissa Marsh to enter Basketball WA Hall of Fame

Craig O'DonoghueThe West Australian
Camera IconMelissa Marsh’s brilliant career will recognised in the Basketball WA Hall of Fame. Credit: Simon Santi/The West Australian

To gain a full appreciation for what Melissa Marsh achieved while playing WNBL in Perth, you need to realise she’s played more than twice as many games than any currently listed Lynx player for the club .

While it is true that records are made to be broken, WNBA superstar Sami Whitcomb will have to be playing into her 40s if she wants to overtake Marsh’s 243 games for the Lynx. And Marsh achieved her feat despite retiring at just 28.

Marsh’s commitment to her team and her state will be recognised on Saturday night with induction into the Basketball WA Hall of Fame, adding another post-retirement accolade that includes her jersey being retired.

Marsh was a dominant figure during a career that still has her as the club’s record holder for points scored, while she ranks second for assists.

The former captain did it all despite the Lynx/West Coast Waves being a poorly funded and struggling club. The group finished last five times, second last seven times and even the best season produced only eight wins from 2 games.

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Camera IconMelissa Marsh played a record 243 WNBL games for the Perth Lynx/West Coast Waves. Credit: Astrid Volzke/WA News

Adelaide lured Marsh away for the 2005/06 season and she competed in a preliminary final, but playing outside of Perth felt wrong.

“Playing here has been everything. I just loved being at home. I had one season in Adelaide but never had the desire to play outside of WA,” Marsh said.

“Being at home with my family was everything to me.

“Playing so many games for the club was never something I even thought about while playing. But now knowing that I played for 14 years and gave this state and the sport everything I had means so much.

“Being at the club when the finances dried up was hard and it would have been easier to play for another team. But that wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted to be home.”

Marsh’s contribution to basketball began when she made the under 14s state team as a 12-year-old. She went on to win four SBL Championships with Willetton while playing 250-games for the club.

Still only 37, Marsh said the mental toll of elite sport led to early retirement.

Camera IconMelissa Marsh was a dominant force. Credit: Mal Fairclough/WA News

Marsh is part of an incredible WA sporting family. Her dad Geoff and brothers Shaun and Mitch all played cricket for Australia, giving the family a unique position in WA sport.

Melissa is excited that the entire sporting family will be together for her induction. Her brothers missed her wedding due to cricket commitments after Cricket Australia added a tour to the West Indies after she had set the date.

The Hall of Fame induction is a moment for the family to savour.

“They’re both coming. Their wives are coming. My parents are coming. Having us all together doesn’t happen a lot,” Marsh said.

“My family has been so supportive of each other. I’m so proud of what dad achieved and how much mum cared for us all. Then what Shaun and Mitch have done is incredible.

“I’m so proud to be in the Hall of Fame. It’s such an honour. I’m really looking forward to the night.”

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