As part of Basketball South Australia’s High-Performance restructure and vision, Dee will lead our female High-Performance portfolio, including coaching and administration. This exciting and innovative approach to female pathways is a new era for South Australia, to encourage and inspire girls and women to participate at the highest level of basketball.
Dee brings a wealth of basketball experience to our team, having lived through the High-Performance program herself as both a player and a parent. As a young seven-year-old, Dee embarked on her basketball journey. Growing up, Dee followed Western Australia’s High-Performance program as an athlete participating and competing in the U14, U16 and U18 National Squads. In 2000 to 2001, she attended the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) on a scholarship, whilst concurrently being selected as an Australian Junior for the Gems and Sapphires. Dee’s impressive playing career had only just begun, with her hitting the court for eleven seasons in the WNBL. She started in the WNBL playing for Perth, before transitioning to Dandenong where she won two WNBL championships, finishing her extensive WNBL career in Adelaide in 2007.
Dee’s passion for people stems from her current studies within Social Work and her personal philosophy “participants are people before athletes.” Dee said, “I am thrilled at the prospect of contributing to the High-Performance program in South Australia. Basketball South Australia’s vision and commitment to excellence aligns seamlessly with my passion for the sport and my desire to continually elevate my personal skills. The opportunity to be part of a team that is committed to prioritising not only the skill development of their young athletes, but also in fostering a wellbeing & holistic approach excites me. I look forward to meeting all the young athletes and embracing the opportunities ahead.”
Dee’s unique playing and work career will provide valuable insight into Basketball SA’s innovative approach to collaborating with female players, coaches and support staff. Dee’s “people first” approach will provide girls, women, and their families a safe, transparent, and tailored High-Performance pathway.
Tim Brenton, Basketball South Australia CEO, said, “Dee Ranford is an outstanding woman, former player, coach, mum, and role model. We could not be happier with Dee’s appointment. We are looking forward to watching Dee grow in this space and just as important, creating a best practice High-Performance program for girls and women to flourish.”
Dee joins the Basketball South Australia team on 7 February 2024.