Tasmania has a proud tradition of producing exceptional athletes who put Tasmania on the map.

Today’s inductees into the Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame are no exception.

I congratulate footballer John Leedham, sailor Gary Smith and hockey player Kim Walker on joining more than 100 great Tasmanians recognised in the hall of fame.

John Leedham is one of the greatest footballers our state has ever produced. John debuted for North Launceston in 1946 aged 17 and was regarded as one of the finest players in the country in his era, and the best Tasmanian player not to have played VFL/AFL. He represented Tasmania in the 1947, 1953 and 1958 Australian National Football Carnivals and was chosen as the sole Tasmanian representative in the first ever All-Australian team in 1953. John was elevated to AFL Tasmania icon status last year.

Gary Smith continues the great tradition of outstanding sailors produced by our island state. The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania member has had an outstanding career in dinghies and keel boats.

Gary claimed the Fireball class Australian Championships in 1983, before going on to win the World Championships in San Francisco in 1984. He then went on to the Sharpie class, winning the Australian Championships in 1986. Both titles were won in boats he built. Gary then moved on to Flying Dutchman, winning the Australian Championships before competing at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Gary was inducted into the Tasmanian Yachting Hall of Fame in 2010.

Kim Walker’s combination of skill, hard work and dedication enabled her to reach the highest level in her sport. Kim has an exceptional record, having represented Australia in hockey 172 times, making her debut for the Hockeyroos in the Tri-Nations in Argentina in 1998. Kim became one of the Hockeryroos most valuable players and in 2007 was voted Hockeyroos player of the Year. She won gold at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006 and represented Australia at the 2008 Beijing Games.

For a state of half a million people we have proven time and time again to be a force in sport regularly shining on the world stage.

I congratulate our Hall of Fame inductees who will continue to inspire generations to come.
Will Hodgman, Premier Minister for Sport and Recreation