Page 6 - 2022 BWA ANNUAL REPORT

THE CHAIR’S REPORT
Fiona Notley
Kaya Mort Basketball WA Community.
Welcome to the 2022 Basketball WA Annual Report. It was a great honour and privilege to be elected as the Chair of Basketball WA in April 2022.
Basketball is now the fastest growing sport in Western Australia for children below fifteen years of age. Basketball WA has grown to have over 65,000 registered participants and this figure doesn’t include our schools, entry level or Aussie Hoops programs. Basketball is BOOMING!
Despite this growth the past 12 months has not been without its challenges. None greater than when the Western Australian border opened in March 2022, the basketball community was affected by increased numbers of COVID cases, lockdowns and restrictions. We commend the Basketball WA staff who provided our community with leadership and guidance.
The Basketball WA Board has remained laser focused on delivering our four key strategic pillars - Facilities (place to play), Organisations (facilitating play), The Game (playing) and Community (growing the impact). These pillars influence our strategic thinking, decision making and allocation of resources.
Basketball WA achieved success in many areas in 2022 to which we are immensely proud of. Some of these successes included the Basketball WA Gala Dinner where over 600 people from our community celebrated outstanding achievements made by individuals
and teams over the past year. At the dinner, we recognised individuals for their long-term contribution to the great sport of basketball. Basketball WA has welcomed Gingin and Mt Barker as affiliate clubs to strengthen our country participation. To celebrate the opening of new courts in Esperance, the NBL1 West played a game between Southwest Slammers and Goldfields Giants. Our NBL1 West competition was so strong in 2022, our teams were able to achieve an amazing slam dunk winning the National Women’s and Men’s Championship (congratulations to Warwick Senators and Rockingham Flames). 2022 saw the
1 | BWA ANNUAL REPORT 2022
return of the Women's National Basketball League home and way season for the Perth Lynx as well as forming a partnership with WAIS to develop a stronger elite pathway for women. Basketball WA saw unprecedented growth in participation across State Championships, Country Championships and NAIDOC Carnivals.
Challenges remain within our sport,
none less than finding a space to play. Basketball WA estimates we have over 5,000 people on waiting lists across our state. We are actively working with our affiliated associations, local, state, and federal governments to try and achieve facility development and alternative
court assess models. This will allow basketball to accommodate all those
that want to actively participate in our great sport. Basketball WA has seen a negative shift in culture and inclusiveness. In particular umpire abuse and general unkind behaviour in various forms is causing everyone involved to operate in an uncomfortable environment. Basketball WA is committed to addressing these issues and creating an environment that
is fun, safe, supportive, inclusive and encouraging.
During the year, we had a change in Minister. Thank you to the Honourable
Dr Tony Buti and his staff for their support of basketball. We welcomed a new Minister for Sport and Recreation, the Honourable David Templeman, MLA. The Board
and the Basketball WA Executive have already started to build a close working relationship with Minister Templeman,
his office and supporting advisors. The Parliamentary Friends of Basketball
was convened by Ms Hannah Beazley MLA, Mr Peter Rundle MLA, Ms Jessica Stojkovski MLA and Ms Emily Hamilton MLA. The primary objects and aims of the Parliamentary Friends of Basketball align perfectly with Basketball WA’s Strategic Plan 2021-2025.
Thank you to our long-term partners, stakeholders and sponsors who continue to support us in making basketball an
accessible and well-organised game: The Western Australian State Government’s Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, WA Insurance Commission, Heathway and Northern Star, in particular, as they make a valuable contribution to basketball through various funding schemes and a range of advisory services.
The Board continues to work with Basketball Australia and the other State and Territory Associations to ensure our game is governed appropriately. We ensure basketball pathways and business operations are effective and efficient in delivering basketball to the community.
The Board would like to sincerely thank Chief Executive Officer - Rob Clement, Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Evan Stewart, Chief Operating Officer Jonelle Morley, Administration Support to the Board - Celine Reidy, and the Basketball WA staffing team. Their commitment, ongoing dedication and passion to the sport ensures basketball is thriving in Western Australia. The Board recognises Adam Bowler, Lucy Royle, Kerry Radcliffe and David Hodgson who have committed more than 10 years’ service to making basketball the best it can be.
On 15 May 2022 we were saddened to learn of the loss of our past Basketball WA Chair Keith Dunlap. It was truly a sad day for our basketball community. In March 2022 Keith was bestowed with the distinguished Basketball WA Life Membership award or his outstanding services and contribution to the sport
in Western Australia. On behalf of the Basketball WA Board, Staff and the basketball community, we extend our sincere condolences to Keith’s wife – Nancy, their children, family and friends.
In April 2022 Jennifer Riatti stepped down from the Board after six years of service. During Jennifer’s time on the Board the organisation has doubled in size and is now present in seven regions around Western Australia. Basketball has been the beneficiary of Jennifer’s wisdom and leadership and we wish her all the very best for the future.