Keneally restructures Basketball Australia

Basketball Australia (BA) Chief Executive Kristina Keneally's control over the administration of the sport continues with the implementation of a staff restructure, which is expected to be finalised later this month.

As part of that restructure, the position of General Manager, WNBL & Competitions, has been made redundant with postholder Lorraine Landon's completing her last official day with BA on Friday 28th September 2012.

Speaking of the redundancy of the long serving Landon, Keneally explained "Lorraine has been a tremendous advocate for basketball on an international stage, and has supported athletes with a disability to play at the highest levels of competition," Ms Keneally said.

"I hope we can continue to call upon Lorraine's expertise in years to come, and she will of course continue to make a contribution to the sport through her role on the FIBA (Federation of International Basketball Associations) Women's Commission."

Chuck Harmison has assumed the role of General Manager, Professional League Operations with general oversight of both the NBL and WNBL Operations. Chuck will also retain the role of NBL Operations Manager.

BA's restructure will include a future position of General Manager, Professional League Development with the aim of bolstering the long-term strategic planning capacity of the NBL and WNBL.

BA will continue to have a WNBL Operations Manager, a position which is currently held by Bowden Chapman.

Using skills presumably honed in the competitive caucus of the NSW Labor Party, the former NSW Premier has quickly moved to control the sport during the course of the year, moving from the role of Chairman to replace longstanding administrator Larry Sengstock in the Chief Executive role and now restructuring BA's head office.

As Chief Executive she has emerged as the 'voice' of BA, rather than the Chairman, Keneally has been busy in the few months she has had in charge of the sport, completing improved broadcast rights deals, handling issues with the women's Olympic team and dealing with fallout over the demise of the Gold Coast Blaze.