Phil Driscoll - the Elder Statesman of Illawarra Sports

It is truly something to watch the Hawks Head of Medical Services, Phil Driscoll, operate during a Hawks game or practice.

Phil operates as the sun of his own personal solar system, interacting with players, coaches, officials and fans alike, meeting each individual with a smile and a handshake.

No person is too important, nor too insignificant.

From the basketball stars to the lowly media guys, Phil is the always active glue that keeps the Illawarra Hawks together. In the words of Hawks marquee player Tyler Harvey, “This is the guy that you want to talk to.”

It’s been 42 years since Phil began his connection with the Hawks, attending their first ever game in 1979. He wasn’t naturally a basketball player, preferring football and surfing as a kid, but it was a friendship with a Hawks employee that kick started his career in sports medicine.

“There was a gentleman there called Paul Whiteman who was the Hawks first trainer, he's a life member, he's on the board, and after the first week [working for him] I thought ‘I love this’,” Driscoll said. 

“Paul was ahead of the game, I said ‘I love that’, I want to learn what you're doing.

“He had no formal qualifications, but he said to me ‘you're going to go to uni, you're going to learn sports science’.

“I got involved from that day on, I was with the Hawks for… well I haven't really not been with the Hawks ever,” Driscoll said. 

(Former Hawks Captain Chuck Harmison wins a jump ball at the packed Snakepit. Phil Driscoll stands at the Visitors door)

Phil did get that degree in sports medicine, and it would go on to frame the rest of his life, a fact that he could not be more happier about. 

“I became an avid believer in sports medicine, so joined Sports Medicine NSW, the Australian Sports Medicine Federation at the time, but its come back to SMA (Sports Medicine Australia) now,” Driscoll said. 

But while Phil’s official title is in relation to sports medicine, in reality he is an everyman, wearing many hats, filling many holes, and doing whatever is needed from him in order for the team to proceed smoothly. 

“That entails getting everything that these boys need to get on the court, get off the court, help Shaun [Roger] our manager, and do the medical side of stuff,” Driscoll said. 

“Anything with injuries, I'm the first port of call, then send them off to the physio, or off to the doc if they need.

“[The job] has changed from just a bucket and sponge to doing anything required medically.

“You've got to have a high level of medical knowledge to deal with these guys, it’s not like putting a band aid on someone anymore, those days are long gone,” Driscoll said. 

(Don Bickett ushered off the court by Hawks strappers Phil Driscoll (left) and Paul Whiteman)

Phil is not only a key part of the Illawarra Hawks operation, but has also undertaken work with the St. George Illawarra Dragons, which he says is a job that contains many similarities, but just as many differences. 

“I'm also involved with the Dragons as the sports trainer, but not with first grade, I do reserve grade and Under-21, but help with first grade if they want something done,” Driscoll said. 

“They’re totally different, and it's really good for me because I get to see two different sides, where most trainers will rock up to Rugby League or AFL or whatever it is and only see those related injuries, doing this you see a whole spectrum of injuries.”

While many in his position would be mulling retirement, for Phil, he’s only just getting started. In fact, he recently underwent a double knee replacement, which he says was in part to help him better complete his duties with the team. 

“It was to help with this role, if I’m hamstrung I can't do this role, might as well quit,” Driscoll said. 

“I’m a big believer that if you're not ready to go, don't go.” 

And he’s definitely not going. Phil maintains a place of imminent respect within the team, and within the basketball community, but you would never know it from talking to him, he’s much too humble. What you need to pay attention to is how the people around him respond to him, and there are few that elicit a friendlier atmosphere like Phil does. 

“Like I was saying before, I love coming here and they love me being here, that makes your days worthwhile,” Driscoll said. 

“That's enough from me, so there ya go."