HAMILTON LANDS TOP JOB

Basketball New Zealand has named Tim Hamilton as its new chief executive officer.

Hamilton has resigned his current positions as North Harbour Netball CEO and Netball North regional manager, and will take office at BBNZ’s Wellington headquarters next month.

“I’m delighted to have this opportunity to lead Basketball New Zealand, as I believe the sport has unique opportunities in this country,” says Hamilton.

“I have very much enjoyed my role at Netball North Harbour and the support I had there.

“But I believe basketball is at a stage in its evolvement where I can help BBNZ provide opportunities for as many New Zealanders as possible to be involved at whatever level they want. For the game to have the best possible future here, we must maximise playing/participation numbers, as only from that base can we achieve at all levels, including on the global stage.”

BBNZ president John Gallaher, who has also carried out interim CEO duties over the past five months, is excited by Hamilton’s appointment.

“Tim has a proven record in sports administration and is ready to step up to an NSO position,” says Gallaher. “Basketball New Zealand has enjoyed some key successes recently and we believe he will help us achieve our goal of becoming a top-four sport in New Zealand.”

Before his netball roles, Hamilton was Northland Rugby Union CEO (2003-06) and previously filled the same position with the Wanganui Rugby Union (2001-03). He brings obvious experience in sports team management and governance.

“My leadership experiences within rugby and netball have given me good understanding of how a national body can involve and support regions who are attempting to achieve similar goals.”

“I have followed basketball over the past decade and have been impressed with the achievements of our national teams on the global stage in what is one of the world’s biggest sports.”

Hamilton (40) will take residence at BBNZ on October 12. He inherits an organisation that successfully hosted the FIBA U19 World Championship for Men in July and must now prepare the Tall Blacks for their third consecutive world championships in Turkey next year.

But Basketball New Zealand also faces a range of challenges on the domestic front and Hamilton hopes to gain an understanding of those issues over the next month so he can hit the ground running.

“I will spend the first period in my new role talking to staff, meeting key basketball people, including regional leaders and associations, to gain knowledge of how things are operating at present and the history of basketball in New Zealand.

“I want to ensure the important aspects of history are retained in our desire to improve what BBNZ is doing and must do in the future”.