Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) is pleased to announce Maree Taylor as General Manager of Leagues.
Taylor has been with BBNZ for almost 20 years and worked closely with former Leagues’ General Manager’s Justin Nelson and Huw Beynon, making the transition into the role seamless.
Taylor comes from a basketball family, working in and around the sport since she was young. Her father owned the Waikato Warriors in their initial days in the NBL and Taylor worked a number of roles for the team.
She was recruited to join BBNZ and made the move to Wellington for a full-time role in 2006, initially starting in an administrative role. Taylor has worked both in the tournaments and league space with BBNZ and most recently as Leagues Operations Manager.
Taylor is excited to carry on the momentum that has been building over the past few years, particularly with G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa heading into its second season.
“I’m excited to move into the General Manager’s role and continue to build on Justin and Huw’s progress the past couple of years.
“2022 was a huge year for us with the Sal’s NBL being as competitive as ever, and the inaugural season of the G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa establishing itself as a professional league that not only appeals to locals but talented players abroad as well,” said Taylor.
In addition to Taylor’s move to GM, there are a number of additions to the Leagues front office for 2023.
Former Tall Black and four-time NBL champion Casey Frank joins the team as Marketing and Media Manager. After many years of helping advance the game on the court, Frank will now lend his expertise off court to help take the Sal’s NBL and G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa to new heights this season and beyond.
Frank will continue in his role as a Sky Sport commentator, alongside an exciting commentary team with multiple new additions. An announcement will be made on the 2023 Sky Sport commentary team in the coming weeks.
“I'm excited to be joining the dedicated Leagues team to do my small part to help ensure the game continues to go from strength to strength at the professional level. G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi will continue to deliver on the great promise shown in its inaugural season while leading innovation with the debut of the Rapid League, and I expect the Sal's NBL to again deliver a competition that will go down to the wire with multiple championship aspirants,” said Frank.
“I have had the privilege to cover the sport as a commentator over the last decade or so and it's been exciting to see the level of coverage rise to a level never seen before.
“The domestic competitions are where the next generation of kiwi hoopers get to test their skills against topflight imports and the top professionals from New Zealand, who use the leagues to hone their skills to take their games to the next level.”
Jake Fitzgibbon will work with Frank in the Media space as Digital Media and Communications Lead, operating and managing the Sal’s NBL, G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi and 3X3 cup social media channels and websites.
Kate Lacey moves into Leagues full-time after welcoming a baby boy last year, assuming the role that Maree Taylor held as Operations Lead. Another operations role is expected to be announced shortly.
“With the new additions and talented team around me I’m confident we can continue to grow Leagues both locally and globally, carrying on that positive trajectory from years past,” said Taylor.
“There are a number of exciting new innovations coming into the Sal’s NBL and G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi this season, including Rapid League for women, Player Timeouts now in both competitions, and a revamped 3X3 event that will take place at the end of the year.”
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