Keith Mair Keen to get Started as CEO of England Basketball
Former New Zealand Olympic coach Keith Mair is so keen to get stuck into his new role as CEO of England Basketball he is planning to start work just minutes after arriving from the Southern Hemisphere.
'I arrive around midday and I want to head into the office straight away. I just want to get started now,' he said from New Zealand in early February.
'I am really looking forward to getting fully involved with the many challenges currently facing England Basketball, and very keen to become immersed in all aspects of the game throughout the country - from the grassroots to the elite' Mair said.
Mair not only has a formidable basketball background, but also has an extensive history in the financial sector. He has been a Stockbroker – surviving two International Stock Market crashes; an accountant and also a high school accounting teacher.
Mair has been involved in international basketball for more than 20 years, leading the New Zealand Junior Men’s team prior to being in charge of his country's senior men for nearly a decade - stepping down after the Sydney Olympics of 2000. On a national level Mair was General Manager and Coach of the Canterbury Men’s National League team taking them to the finals nine years in row, and winning the title in 1989, 1990, 1992.
Since then, he has held a senior management role at New Zealand's equivalent of UK Sport known as SPARC, but has opted for the challenge of dragging English basketball out of its present mire.
Despite critics slamming England Basketball’s currently troublesome situation, Mair is positive about what the country can develop over the next few years.
'Basketball is a fabulous team sport, immensely popular throughout the world. Further growth is guaranteed, in spite of any short term situations, difficulties or issues. The demand from people wanting to play inevitably exceeds the resources available such as facilities, coaches, referees and administrators'.
'It is exciting to have the opportunity to be involved where there is so much potential for growth, both within the country and on the international stage. English men and women have the talent right now to perform at the highest level internationally. Players with the size, skill and experience are there but now require the financial support to prepare and develop further.' Mair said.
English Basketball Chairperson, Betty Codona is quietly confident about Mair turning England’s situation around.
'We feel England Basketball is in safe hands. And I think it's good he's a fresh face who can come in with new ideas.'
Keith Mair in profile:
Started coaching Hutt Valley 1969
Coached Timaru 1972-85
Coached Canterbury 1986-95
Coached Canterbury and Hawkes Bay in national league
Won national league titles 1989, 90, 92 with Canterbury
(made NBL playoffs nine years in a row)
NZ junior men's coaching 1980-83
NZ men's assistant coach 1984-87
NZ men's coach 1988-2000
Coached NZ U23 to world championships 1997
Coached NZ men to Sydney Olympics 2000
NZ Basketball Federation president 1997-2000
South Canterbury Basketball president 1974-85
Canterbury Basketball treasurer 1994
Awarded Sir Lance Cross Award for services to NZ basketball 2000
For further information please contact:
Todd Stuart
Project Assistant
England Basketball
T: 0113 2900 812
E: todd.stuart@ebbaonline.net
'I arrive around midday and I want to head into the office straight away. I just want to get started now,' he said from New Zealand in early February.
'I am really looking forward to getting fully involved with the many challenges currently facing England Basketball, and very keen to become immersed in all aspects of the game throughout the country - from the grassroots to the elite' Mair said.
Mair not only has a formidable basketball background, but also has an extensive history in the financial sector. He has been a Stockbroker – surviving two International Stock Market crashes; an accountant and also a high school accounting teacher.
Mair has been involved in international basketball for more than 20 years, leading the New Zealand Junior Men’s team prior to being in charge of his country's senior men for nearly a decade - stepping down after the Sydney Olympics of 2000. On a national level Mair was General Manager and Coach of the Canterbury Men’s National League team taking them to the finals nine years in row, and winning the title in 1989, 1990, 1992.
Since then, he has held a senior management role at New Zealand's equivalent of UK Sport known as SPARC, but has opted for the challenge of dragging English basketball out of its present mire.
Despite critics slamming England Basketball’s currently troublesome situation, Mair is positive about what the country can develop over the next few years.
'Basketball is a fabulous team sport, immensely popular throughout the world. Further growth is guaranteed, in spite of any short term situations, difficulties or issues. The demand from people wanting to play inevitably exceeds the resources available such as facilities, coaches, referees and administrators'.
'It is exciting to have the opportunity to be involved where there is so much potential for growth, both within the country and on the international stage. English men and women have the talent right now to perform at the highest level internationally. Players with the size, skill and experience are there but now require the financial support to prepare and develop further.' Mair said.
English Basketball Chairperson, Betty Codona is quietly confident about Mair turning England’s situation around.
'We feel England Basketball is in safe hands. And I think it's good he's a fresh face who can come in with new ideas.'
Keith Mair in profile:
Started coaching Hutt Valley 1969
Coached Timaru 1972-85
Coached Canterbury 1986-95
Coached Canterbury and Hawkes Bay in national league
Won national league titles 1989, 90, 92 with Canterbury
(made NBL playoffs nine years in a row)
NZ junior men's coaching 1980-83
NZ men's assistant coach 1984-87
NZ men's coach 1988-2000
Coached NZ U23 to world championships 1997
Coached NZ men to Sydney Olympics 2000
NZ Basketball Federation president 1997-2000
South Canterbury Basketball president 1974-85
Canterbury Basketball treasurer 1994
Awarded Sir Lance Cross Award for services to NZ basketball 2000
For further information please contact:
Todd Stuart
Project Assistant
England Basketball
T: 0113 2900 812
E: todd.stuart@ebbaonline.net