Lauren Jackson and Tal Karp take up key new roles in women’s basketball

Basketball Australia has announced the addition of Lauren Jackson and fellow Olympian, Tal Karp, onto its executive team to help strengthen pathways for women’s basketball within Australia.

Jackson will become the new Head of Women in Basketball, while Karp will be engaged as Principal Advisor to Women in Basketball to support Jackson and Basketball Australia in developing a whole of sport strategy focusing on women and girls.

A recent Basketball Australia Hall of Fame inductee, Jackson will provide leadership across the Chemist Warehouse WNBL operations, promotions and marketing, and stakeholder engagement.

In an advisory role to Basketball Australia, Karp will work with Jackson and key stakeholders to create a whole of sport strategy for women and girls, aligning both the WNBL and broader women and girls in sport action plans.

Advising that she is thrilled to have women with outstanding credentials both on and off the field of play taking on key roles with the sport, Basketball Australia Chief Executive, Jerril Rechter stated “there is an opportunity for Basketball Australia to build upon its strong foundations and its leadership role of women in sport.

“Both Lauren and Tal will work on a new strategy for women and girls in basketball, from grassroots participation to community programs and leagues, the elite level, coaching, officiating, administration and governance.

“We are committed to increasing the number of women and girls playing basketball and following the Chemist Warehouse Opals’ recent success at the FIBA World Cup we want to maintain our place in international basketball by providing the best competitions and high-performance pathways.

“Our Australian Opals and the WNBL competition are very strong, but we know there is so much more we can do to support women in our game.

“Women in sport both here in Australia and indeed globally have enjoyed a wave of recognition in recent years and we want to ensure women in basketball continue to lead the way.

Looking forward to starting her new role, Jackson added “after playing for two decades I’m so pleased to be able to continue to play a part in basketball as an administrator.

“We have outstanding players in this country and I want to ensure our place on the world stage remains strong while giving all young players the opportunity to play and love basketball.”

Both Jackson and Karp will commence with Basketball Australia in July.

The 2019/20 Chemist Warehouse WNBL season tips off in October.

Image (from left): Tal Karp, Jerril Rechter and Lauren Jackson announce the move to strengthen pathways for women’s basketball.