Hooper, Tony

Tony Hooper played 15 games for Pontypridd between December 1956 and April 1957, while also studying at Cardiff Teacher Training College (latterly known as UWIC), where he was a member of the First XV.

After qualifying with a diploma in Physical Education, Tony went on to teach PE until getting a headship in Derbyshire in 1973.

After retiring from Rugby, Tony concentrated on Basketball, and played into his early 50s with a variety of clubs including Dartford YMCA, Newbold Green and Erewash Eagles in Derbyshire.

Tony achieved the distinction of becoming an International Wheelchair Basketball Referee, before beoming Head Coach of the Great Britain Men's, and the GB Ladies' Wheelchair Basketball Teams - taking the Womens team to the Seoul Olympics in 1988.

Tony received the English Basketball Association's Award for Services to Basketball in 1983.

Following his retirement and a move to Andorra in 1988, Tony became Refereeing Development Officer for the Andorran Basketball Federation and Andorra's Basketball Commissioner in the Euroleague. 

Hello from the south of France,

I was very thrilled to find that my daughter had entered me in the Hall of Fame as an 80th. birthday present. Although only playing for a short time I have always regarded myself as a "ponty" man. I was very proud that during my time at Ponty I was selected for the Welsh Academicals - the nearest I would get to playing for Wales.

After leaving college I was invited to join Leicester, but just married and with a 120 mile round trip for a home game decided to return to my town club, Chesterfeild, who I was to captain several times until I retired at the end of 1961. I was also playing for Derbyshire & N.L.& Derbys. I retired because I took a post in an Approved School in Salop right on the border.Having been appointed at the interview I was then taken aside by the headmaster who asked how it was that his brother-in-law had given me a reference.

My new boss was "Iorrie" Isaacs, who I now join in the Hall of Fame. Both my children were born in Wales, and my daughter and family are now living in Llanddarog, Carms., the birthplace of my late wife. After starting his rugby in Italy, my grandson is now playing with the Carmarthen Quins under 10's. Perhaps we might have a Welsh international yet! I hope you don't mind these wanderings. I will be in touch again as I would like to enter 3 more names - Mike Brownhill, Len Williams and Bunny Hedges.

Tony Hooper