We write to you to advise of some important recent developments at the HBA:
- Strengthening of the management team;
- Establishment or refinements of HBA sub-committees – to enhance engagement with our basketball community and alignment to our strategic plan; and
- The results of the Annual General Meeting – some new HBA Directors, and modernizing of the HBA Constitution;
HBA Administration Staffing Changes
Your Board has sought continuous improvement in the effectiveness and depth of the HBA management team. Brock Rogers was appointed to the vacant role of General Manager in February. Brock is well connected in the Victorian basketball community. Amongst other activities since joining us Brock has undertaken a detailed review of the organisation structure, supported by the Board. This has resulted in some fundamental changes, to ensure the resources are in place to support the HBA’s future direction. We would like to say a big thank you to outgoing staff Kevin Ng, Cathryn Lowe and Kathryn Wellings for their contributions to our administration and wish them well in their future endeavours
Jane Barry (Junior Magic Operations Manager), and Jane Omond (contract accountant) continue in their current roles.
We are excited today to announce the following appointments that will bring around 60 years of high quality basketball knowledge to the HBA. The costs associated with these positions have been included in the 2017/18 budget.
Basketball Operations Manager – Jonathan Goodman
Jonathan is the former Director of Coaching at Bendigo where he has been Head Coach of the Lady Braves (SEABL), Assistant Coach of the Bendigo Spirit (WNBL), Assistant Coach of Australian Junior teams and Head Coach on multiple occasions for Victorian State teams. Jonathan originally started his coaching craft in the HBA with Breakers and Titans.
Technical Officials Development Coordinator (Referee Advisor) – Phil Thiel
Phil is an active member of the SEABL Referee Panel. Phil has developed his craft in some of the largest Associations across Melbourne in particular Knox, Dandenong and most recently Nunawading, where he has been an active Referee Coach and Referee School Coordinator. Phil will bring amazing networks, knowledge and opportunities to the HBA referee community. Phil has also been Referee Coaching within the HBA over the last few weeks thanks to Basketball Victoria.
Technical Officials Administrator – Sophie Porter
Sophie is returning to work and refereeing this year after recently having two children. Sophie will be a Big V referee in 2018 and is hoping to make it to the SEABL panel by the end of the year. Sophie started refereeing in the HBA but left to chase development opportunities back in 2009. Sophie has been a referee, supervisor and referee mentor through her time in the HBA, and has since gone onto conduct coaching education and administration support and rostering at Bulleen and Nunawading Basketball Associations.
Bookkeeper – Tracey Scanlon
Tracey is a parent within HBA with children in the domestic and representative programs. Tracey is a qualified and registered chartered accountant and is seeking casual hours back in the work place after recently being a stay-at-home mum. Tracey will provide some great support for Jane Omond and conduct the day-to-day financial duties.
Domestic Competitions Coordinator – To be announced
HBA sub-committees and advisory groups
We are committed to a structure that facilitates a combination of engagement, strategy, governance and implementation. The Board is predominantly focused on the selection and guidance of the General Manager, setting or approving strategy, and the maintenance of appropriate governance principals. Management is charged with the implementation of the strategy and the day-to-day operations. Several sub-committees or advisory working groups have been established, with several more expected in 2018 to enhance HBA community engagement, and to utilize our network of volunteers; each will have a formal Board-approved charter that governs scope and composition.
HBA Sub-Committees:
- Junior Magic
- Audit, Risk and Compliance
- Facilities Working Group (stadium access)
HBA Sub-Committees to be investigated or established in 2018*
- Domestic Competitions
- Technical Officials (referees, score bench)
- Marketing Working Group
*A Domestic Competitions committee would provide an enhanced, structured forum to aid engagement with the largest component of HBA basketball operations. A Technical Officials committee would align with Australian Sports Commission (ASC) best practice, and the structure currently in place at Basketball Victoria, whilst providing additional support and expertise to the referee community who continue to grow and develop in their responsibility of creating a fun and safe environment for all players, coaches and parents. A formal Marketing Working Group would ensure that we continue to utilize the skills within our network to better engage the HBA membership and the broader community.
Annual General Meeting
The AGM was held on Saturday 16 December at BSC. Thank you to those members that attended.
Changes to your Board of Directors
President Richard Wraith, HBA stalwart Mark Walker, and sports lawyer Daniel Stuk announced they would step down from the HBA Board to allow others to continue the momentum established on their watch. We sincerely thank each of them for their guidance, their skill, and their time. They should be proud of the many developments over the last four years that have materially enhanced the standing of the HBA within the Victorian basketball community, and refinements made to our operational and governance processes – which benefit our players, our officials, and our future.
We welcome the following new directors – Martin Guthrie (barrister), Lisa O’Keefe (marketer), Adam Kierce (software developer and business owner), and Belinda Donaldson (lawyer and former National Basketball League player).
Directors re-elected for a further term are Martin Reich (property developer and chair of the Facilities Sub-committee), and David Skelton (semi-retired non-executive director and CPA) who has become the HBA Chairperson.
Modernization of the HBA Constitution
During the year your directors undertook a Governance Review with the objective of modernizing the existing Constitution and Board practices in line with guidelines published by the ASC and VicSport. All changes put to members at the AGM were approved. They will come into effect following Consumer Affairs approval, which is anticipated in January.
Changes include formal recognition of the separation of management and Board responsibilities, future election of the offices of Chairperson and Secretary by the Board, and directors’ term to be capped at six years.
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Wishing you a Merry Christmas, and a safe New Year
David Skelton, Chairman Brock Rogers, General Manager
