Another step in basketball’s unification process is complete with the release of the new competition logo for the 2009/10 National Basketball League (NBL) season. The logo was unveiled today at the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre by BA Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock with the help of recent Boomers Captain and now Melbourne Tigers star Mark Worthington as well as Emus Under 19 national team member and Boomers rookie Hugh Greenwood. The competition retains the NBL name for season 2009/10 and is consistent with the new whole-of-sport branding launched by BA in April.

Sengstock said the move to the new logo and unified branding across all levels of the sport was a major step forward and reflected positively on the ‘Basketball – Everyone’s Game’ tag line.

“This marks an important day for basketball,” said Sengstock.  “The symbolism of this branding is far deeper than a logo as it recognises the significant steps taken by the basketball family and the NBL to come together and build stronger links with the community and highlight the important role the NBL plays in elite development pathways. This brand alignment is in keeping with our two-stage approach to the reform of the league, and encapsulates basketball’s push for a fresh and modern image as a key step in the transition process.”

Sengstock said holding the launch to coincide with the lead-up to this weekend’s Emus Under 19 Four Nations Tournament in Melbourne, which showcases the NBL and Boomers stars of tomorrow,  showed BA’s determination to reconnect all levels of the sport with the league.

“Holding the announcement in conjunction with the Emus on the eve of their four-nations event reflects the fact that BA is committed to strengthening national pathways and re-establishing strong connections with the grassroots,” said Sengstock.  “BA remains committed to moving forward with reform of basketball and the new competition for the good of the sport.”

Basketball Australia was also proud to announce today the appointment of former NBL legend Wayne Carroll to the newly-created position of High Performance General Manager.

Sengstock said Carroll’s appointment was another significant advance for the sport and another example of basketball’s commitment to the reform process and its adherence to the recommendations of the High Performance review.

“Wayne will hit the ground running with his first task to review the elite pathways from club through to Olympic level,” Sengstock said. “Too many of our young stars are lost to other sports because we don’t offer a logical pathway for them to achieve their aspirations to make a career out of playing the game that they love – basketball. By fixing this aspect of our sport, we will retain more players at the elite levels while encouraging younger players through the aspiration to emulate their heroes.   This is a critical initial focus for Wayne that will have significant benefit to the grassroots of the sport.

“Wayne Carroll is the perfect fit for this role, as he has a wealth of knowledge about elite basketball combined with significant business and people management skills,” Sengstock added.  “We are lucky to have him further strengthen BA’s senior management team.”

Carroll played 287 games of NBL basketball, representing Coburg from 1980-86 and North Melbourne from 1987-90.  He is a member of the NBL Hall of Fame and a two-time Olympian, having represented Australia in 149 international games.  He was a member of the Australian Boomers at the 1984 (Los Angeles) and 1988 (Seoul) Olympic Games, as well as the 1982 and 1986 World Championships.  Carroll joins BA from his own promotional business, Carroll Promotions, having accumulated over 20 years of commercial experience.

Article from basketball.net.au