Basketball Australia appoints Diversity and Inclusion leader Rana Hussain

Basketball Australia has appointed Diversity & Inclusion leader Rana Hussain – with her commitment to equity and cultural understanding anticipated to drive transformative change within the organisation.

Alongside Hussain’s appointment, Damian Armour has been re-elected as Deputy Chair, providing valuable continuity.

John Carey, Chair of Basketball Australia’s Board of Directors noted “Rana brings a wealth of experience to Basketball Australia in her role as a champion of change, working with many sporting organisations on diversity and inclusion. Her skills will complement Basketball Australia’s strategic plan in that regard, and we look forward to her contributions to the business.

“Damian’s re-election was a great sign of our good relationship with our members. Board stability is really important and Damian’s re-appointment gives us great stability in one of the most important aspects of the business – financial stability and improvement.”

Lauren Jackson, Opals legend and Head of Women at Basketball Australia, welcomed the appointment advising “Rana Hussain’s leadership exemplifies the power of diverse voices in shaping inclusive sports environments, inspiring women and girls to see themselves as leaders.

“Her commitment to equity and cultural understanding will drive transformative change within Basketball Australia. By prioritising representation, fair opportunities, and safe spaces, we can ensure that women and girls in basketball are seen, heard, and empowered.”

Rana Hussain joins Basketball Australia with extensive experience in social inclusion across sporting organisations. She is the founder of specialist consultancy Good.Human, with previous impact-driven roles at Cricket Australia, Richmond Football Club, Collingwood Football Club, Nike, and Puma.

Matt Scriven, Chief Executive Basketball Australia added “we’re delighted to have Rana Hussain on at the board level. Her experience and impact have been profound, and we are impressed with her approach & philosophy in applying meaningful change within sports organisations.

“The future of basketball will be increasingly inclusive, and our goal is to provide all participants with a unique sense of connection regardless of culture, origins, ability and identity.

“I also commend Damian Armour on his deserved and welcomed re-election. Damian has made a demonstrable impact since joining in 2021 and will undoubtedly continue his role as an advocating leader for the elevation of basketball in Australia."

Hussain’s appointment and Armour’s re-election are part of a broader leadership expansion.

In late 2024, Basketball Australia appointed Clinton Benjamin and Dr Sarah Gardiner to the board, joining Carey, Armour, Suzy Batkovic OLY, Sam Charmand, Andrew Major, and Greg Sam.

Clinton Benjamin, a descendent of the Yawuru, Bardi, and Jika peoples from the Kimberley region, brings a First Nations lens to the board. He is the current Director of Native Title at the National Native Title Council and a former AFL professional athlete.

Dr Sarah Gardiner, Professor in Business and Director of the Griffith Institute for Tourism, specialises in marketing, consumer behaviour, and data analytics. She also has a lifelong connection to basketball in Queensland’s Gold Coast region.