All Change on the Board at Basketball Queensland

All Change on the Basketball Queensland Board

This May, Basketball Queensland said a fond farewell to two of its board members, Scott Butler and Rachelle Foreman. As sad as it is to lose two people who have made such a great contribution to Basketball in Queensland, we are delighted to welcome two new members to the board, Sarah Guilfoyle and Nicola Elis.

We caught up with both of our newest members for interviews to ask them about their roles on the board and how their extensive professional and sporting achievements will inform their contribution to Basketball in Queensland.

Sarah Guilfoyle

How did you get involved in Basketball Queensland?

Over the course of my college and professional careers, I have been involved in numerous governing bodies and advisory committees. And throughout my career as a communication consultant, I have worked extensively in developing and supporting strategy at all levels of an organisation. Being appointed to a board of directors was a natural pathway for me and one I was looking to explore when the right opportunity presented itself. When I heard there was a board position with Basketball Queensland I believed it would be a mutual and complementary fit. The board of Basketball Queensland enjoys a balance between ‘basketballers’ and ‘non basketballers’. Not only do I think this is a very healthy approach, it can prove extremely effective for a sporting organization which can actively engage and benefit from a multitude of perspectives from both inside and outside of the sport.

Do you have a basketball background?

I don’t have a basketball background, but I was an athlete. I have been very fortunate to enjoy a rowing career which afforded me many opportunities including the chance to compete on some very big stages around the world.

Do you have a basketball hero, Coach or player?

Coach: While at college in the United States, I remember being very impressed and humbled by the life story and ongoing success of Coach Vivian Stringer. Her platform for life and inspiration has been basketball, but her story can be great fuel for all of us.

Australian Player: On the home front, I was always drawn to watching Michele Timms play. Her dedication to her game, her tenacity and leadership were all equally compelling.

Do you sit on any other boards or have any other jobs?

I don’t hold any other board positions but I have been self-employed as a communication consultant for over 11 years. I thrive on the variety my career brings across operational, creative and strategic communications in a broad range of industries, and particularly enjoy the reward of stakeholder engagement and employee recognition.

What do you hope to achieve during your time on the board?

My first priority is to learn and serve the organization in whatever capacity I can. I hope to add value to Basketball Queensland by drawing on a blend of both my professional and athletic careers and marrying that with my passions for organisations exceling through effective strategy, and people excelling within healthy, well governed and well operated organisations.

Nicola Ellis

When did you find out about your nomination?

I have been an appointed director since approximately November 2014 – it was simply a transition to an elected role as other directors completed their terms.

I have been fortunate to spend approximately 18 months on the board and have been exposed to a number of directors who have been long standing and/or from diverse backgrounds (Neil, Tim, Rachel and Scott). Each contributed in very different ways and brought different perspectives, I hope that I can contribute as well as they have.

Do you have a basketball background? If so how did you get involved?

I have been playing basketball since I was 11. I got started when I had a sleep over at a friend’s house and she took me to her regular training the following day. I joined in the training rather than sit and watch. The coach asked me if I wanted to play at the end of the session.

With the exception of a few years out while having children I have been involved in basketball (playing or coaching) for about 30 years.

Do you have a basketball hero? Coach? player?

My early days in basketball were in Canberra and I grew up watching the likes of Phil Smyth and Jenny Cheesman (both captains of Australia and Canberra at the time). However, in terms of the inspirational women in the sport it is hard to go past Sandy Brondello (as both a player and coach) and Lauren Jackson for all she has achieved.

Do you sit on any other boards or have any other jobs?

I do not sit on any other boards (but have in the past been on boards or committees for various industry associations relevant to my work). I am presently a partner at Moray & Agnew Lawyers, specialising in health law and professional indemnity.

What do you hope to achieve during your time on the board?

I am excited to be part of a high functioning, well managed board that is contributing to the development of the game of basketball in this state – not merely at a high performance level but also at a participation level. As basketball is a sport that I love and have gained so much out of, I would like to do what I can to support the associations and give direction to basketball in Queensland. I hope to ensure others experience the opportunities, community and friendships I have been fortunate to experience through my involvement in the sport. I am particularly interested in what we might be able to do to attract and retain more girls to the sport of basketball (particularly through their teenage years).

Bronwyn Marshall Chair of the Basketball Queensland Board had this to say about the new board members;

“Sarah Guilfoyle will bring a non-basketball point of view and keep the rest of the Board on their toes by challenging the status quo. Sarah brings a wealth of experience in communications which is an area the BQ is always looking to improve on.

Nicola Ellis has already been on the Board for 18 months as an invited director and has now been formally elected by the members. In this time she has already provided valuable legal insights for the rest of the Board as well as sharing her personal basketball experiences and views as a former player, coach and now as a parent”

Basketball Queensland now leads the way in fighting gender discrimination in sports leadership, beating the The Government Sports Commission’s target of 40% female board membership by 20%. Sport has the power to change the lives of young women – opening up opportunities for leadership and development and transforming gender norms. It is equally important to have female role models in the boardroom as it is to have those who represent their country. Both Sarah and Nicola as successful athletes and businesswomen in their own right, have an insight into the commitment it takes to win and work within a team to achieve excellence. This insight combined with their business acumen and passion for sport will help to shine a light on participation across all genders and age groups and in turn create pathways to National and International success for all the basketball teams in Queensland.