Kristina Keneally Named New CEO of Basketball Australia

Saturday 23 June 2012

Basketball Australia today announced former New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally will be appointed as the organisation’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective 3 August 2012.

Ms Keneally, the current Member for Heffron, is resigning from NSW Parliament in order to take up the position.

BA Board member Justin Milne will immediately assume the role of Chair of the BA Board until a new Chair is appointed.

Mr Milne – who chaired the CEO search committee – said the Board was very pleased by the quality of the candidates who put themselves forward for the job.

"The reality is the Board had an extremely competitive field of candidates to choose from, and applicants from within and outside sport," Mr Milne said.

"However, the Board felt Kristina presented a complete package to BA:  demonstrated leadership skills; strong understanding of community, government and the private sector; and excellent communication abilities. 

“Her national profile, combined with her energy and her passion for the sport, will give basketball a significant boost in Australia."

Acting CEO and BA Board member Scott Derwin said the move was yet another coup for Basketball Australia.

“Kristina has more than proven her worth to Basketball Australia during her short time as Chair; we’ve all been extremely impressed with how much she’s done to take the organisation in a new direction,” Mr Derwin said.

“There’s no better time to be involved in Australian Basketball. It’s an Olympic year, and all four of our international teams are ranked in the top 10 in the world.

“The sport has moved forward in leaps and bounds over recent years, and the Board looks forward to seeing Kristina build on that success in her new role as CEO.”

Ms Keneally said she looks forward to rolling up her sleeves and getting to work as CEO.

“I’ve loved working with Basketball Australia during my time as Chair – we’ve achieved a lot in a short space of time, including a new and improved NBL television deal with Network Ten, the establishment of the WNBL Commission, and return of the NBL All Stars game,” Ms Keneally said.

“Now, with the Olympics and Paralympics ahead of us, our teams are set to strut on the world stage.

“Basketball in Australia has a solid success story to tell: we’re ranked as one of the top-five basketball playing nations in the world; our success at an international level is something other Australian codes can only dream about.

“Beyond this year’s Olympics, our vision is to capitalise on that success in a big way – to put Australian Basketball front and centre on our shores.”

 Media Contact: Sabina Husic 0428 428 737