Gordon Bray | |
|---|---|
 Gordon Bray: December 2005 | |
| Born | (1949-06-23)23 June 1949 (age 75) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation(s) | Sports commentator Sports journalist |
| Employer | Network Ten |
Gordon Timothy BrayAM (born 23 June 1949) is anAustralian sports commentator and sports journalist. He is colloquially known as "The Voice of Rugby".[1]
Brought up in theSydney suburb ofCanada Bay and educated atHomebush Boys High School, Bray was a talented schoolboy rugby union footballer representing NSW Combined High Schools and subsequently Eastern Suburbs. While not pursuing a full-time career in rugby, he subsequently made cameo appearances at several tournaments, including the Ettamogah Pub Sevens competition inAlbury, the Hong Kong Tens and the World Classics inBermuda.[citation needed]
Bray's broadcasting career began in 1969 withABC Sport in Sydney. He spent 25 years commentating for the ABC in Sydney and Hobart, then 16 months at theNetwork Ten followed by 16 years at theSeven Network. He has also worked forFox Sports. Bray has commentated at nineOlympic Games, fiveCommonwealth Games, and nearly 400 rugby internationals, including all nineRugby World Cups.
In April 2013, Bray joined Network Ten as its chief rugby commentator, after Ten acquired the rugby free-to-air broadcast rights for three years, starting 2013.[1]
Bray has written six books on rugby, including best sellers 'The Australian Rugby Companion' and 'From the Ruck'.
He is an active public speaker and master of ceremonies and also provides media training and mentoring.
In 2022, Bray provided a voice cameo for an episode of children's showBluey, entitled "The Decider", in which he voiced himself commentating a rugby union game betweenAustralia andNew Zealand.[2]In 2024, Bray commentated the start of the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race for Channel 9.
In 1999 Gordon had a street named after him inLidcombe NSW: Gordon Bray Circuit.[3]
In 2000 Gordon Bray was awarded anAustralian Sports Medal for his services to rugby through refereeing and for being a long time supporter via television broadcasting.[4]
In the June 2005 Queen's Birthday Honours List he was made a Member of theOrder of Australia "For service to broadcasting as a sports commentator, to the promotion of Rugby Union football, and to the community".[5]
He is also a past recipient of the prestigious Penguin Award for sports broadcasting.
On 12 December 2021, Gordon Bray was inducted to theSydney Cricket Ground Media Hall of Honour, alongside 11 others added to the inaugural 15 media personalities who were first celebrated in 2014.[6]
Bray is an ambassador forLegacy Australia, a charity which supports war widows and their families. Legacy supported Gordon as a child after he lost his parents at an early age.
In 2012, Bray was anAustralia Day Ambassador inNSW.[7]
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