Basketball Australia appoints new Chair

Scott Derwin as been appointed as the new Chair of the Basketball Australia Board.

Basketball Australia has appointed well-respected sports administrator and former Chief Executive Scott Derwin as its new Chair of the Board.

Mr Derwin will commence in the role on 16 August 2012 – replacing Acting Chair Justin Milne, who will resume his position as Chair of the NBL Commission and non-executive Director of BA.

Mr Milne said Mr Derwin’s demonstrated leadership and negotiation skills would be an asset for the Board, providing the steady hand and stability BA needs to build on its recent gains.

"Scott has served as the Chief Executive of three major national sporting bodies over the last 17 years; in each of those roles, he has driven structural change at both governance and management levels,” Mr Milne said.

“Scott’s previous work with BA speaks for itself – he was instrumental in getting us back to a position of financial strength, and largely drove our merger with the National Basketball League, the Women’s National Basketball League and the Australian Basketball Association.

“He has also had extensive experience as both chairman and a member of various not for profit boards.

“On top of that, the experience he brings from his time spent with the Australian Paralympic Committee in the lead-up to the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games and Surf Life Saving Australia is invaluable to our organisation.”

Mr Derwin said he looked forward to working closely with the Board and incoming CEO Kristina Keneally to raise the profile of the sport.

“I’m honoured that the Board has entrusted me with the position of Chair and pleased to continue to work with Basketball Australia in such a hands-on role,” Mr Derwin said.

“Our international recognition lets us stand proud on a world stage, and at home in Australia, we’ve got a million people playing basketball. That’s no small feat – but I know we can continue to grow.

“We’re in an Olympic/Paralympic year, we’ve got a renewed focus with our Strategic Plan, and there are big things in the pipeline for the upcoming NBL season. I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Kristina Keneally, who today assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer, welcomed Mr Derwin’s appointment.

“Scott brings with him a deep understanding of the history of basketball, as well as a keen appreciation of its future potential,” Ms Keneally said.

“Going forward, one of our priorities should be tapping into our incredible strength in terms of mass participation numbers. I know that’s where Scott’s awareness of and relationship with State Associations will be a boon for Australian basketball.

“Scott is a successful sports administrator, a proud ambassador for our sport, and I know he’ll be a wise sounding-board for me as CEO.”
 
Background Information
Before his successful career in Sports Administration, Scott Derwin enjoyed great success in the area of Law, where he was a founder, senior partner and owner of a respected law firm based in Newcastle. Starting the company in 1978, Derwin helped build it to a medium sized practice, employing 20 staff members before he sold the practice in 1992 to move into sport.

He successfully served as the CEO of Basketball Australia from 1999-2009 which saw him drive the unification of the sport under the Basketball Australia banner. He was also the leader in the implementation of the Aussie Hoops program and he was also instrumental in progressing Basketball Australia's relationship with both FIBA, the international governing body of the sport, along with the Chinese and USA basketball federations among others.

Prior to this, Derwin was the CEO of the Australian Paralympic Committee, a role he performed following the successes he achieved as the CEO of Surf Life Saving Australia. Derwin’s passion for the sport of basketball is further evidence by his serving as the Chairman of Basketball Queensland for the last two years before taking up his current position on the Basketball Australia Board. Scott Derwin is Chair of Basketball Australia’s Competition Commission and the WNBL Commission.