FIBA Basketball
NZL - Crocker takes Canberra post
AUCKLAND (National Federation) - Basketball New Zealand chief executive David Crocker will leave Wellington at the end of the month to take up a position with the Australian Sports Commission. The Australian-born Crocker
AUCKLAND (National Federation) - Basketball New Zealand chief executive David Crocker will leave Wellington at the end of the month to take up a position with the Australian Sports Commission.
The Australian-born Crocker announced his resignation today after six years with BBNZ, leaving behind a legacy of achievement on the international stage and in the boardroom.
"When David came on board, the organisation was in debt, and had no international face or international programme," says Basketball New Zealand president Barbara Wheadon. "We weren't even on SPARC's horizon in terms of being considered for funding.
"Now, we are one of their top five recipients."
Crocker began his role as New Zealand was preparing to send its men's and women's teams to the Sydney Olympics. Since then, they have attended two Olympics and a Commonwealth Games, and the Tall Blacks are about to contest their second consecutive FIBA World Championships, after making the semifinals four years ago.
"David has made a significant contribution as CEO in that time," says Wheadon. "To me, the highlights have been the strategy behind promoting basketball in this country, the growth of revenue and the development of relationships with key funding organisations.
"He has set an excellent platform for Basketball New Zealand to move to the next level, and there is now a wonderful opportunity for someone to come in and manage a passionate and hard-working team with a new strategic plan."
The BBNZ board will meet this weekend to begin work on that new strategy, spanning 2007-10.
Crocker's personal circumstances have changed dramatically over the past 18 months with his marriage to former Tall Fern Kim Wielens and the birth of twins late last year.
"The Commonwealth Games were a milestone for me and we achieved what we set out to do there," he says. "It's time to move on and relocate closer to the wider family."
Based in Canberra, Crocker will assume a role as Senior Sports Consultant, managing support programmes and funding relationships with several Australian national sports organisations.
Grant Chapman
The Australian-born Crocker announced his resignation today after six years with BBNZ, leaving behind a legacy of achievement on the international stage and in the boardroom.
"When David came on board, the organisation was in debt, and had no international face or international programme," says Basketball New Zealand president Barbara Wheadon. "We weren't even on SPARC's horizon in terms of being considered for funding.
"Now, we are one of their top five recipients."
Crocker began his role as New Zealand was preparing to send its men's and women's teams to the Sydney Olympics. Since then, they have attended two Olympics and a Commonwealth Games, and the Tall Blacks are about to contest their second consecutive FIBA World Championships, after making the semifinals four years ago.
"David has made a significant contribution as CEO in that time," says Wheadon. "To me, the highlights have been the strategy behind promoting basketball in this country, the growth of revenue and the development of relationships with key funding organisations.
"He has set an excellent platform for Basketball New Zealand to move to the next level, and there is now a wonderful opportunity for someone to come in and manage a passionate and hard-working team with a new strategic plan."
The BBNZ board will meet this weekend to begin work on that new strategy, spanning 2007-10.
Crocker's personal circumstances have changed dramatically over the past 18 months with his marriage to former Tall Fern Kim Wielens and the birth of twins late last year.
"The Commonwealth Games were a milestone for me and we achieved what we set out to do there," he says. "It's time to move on and relocate closer to the wider family."
Based in Canberra, Crocker will assume a role as Senior Sports Consultant, managing support programmes and funding relationships with several Australian national sports organisations.
Grant Chapman