BNSW Staff

Maria Nordstrom

Chief Executive Officer

Maria is a Pride in Sport LGBTIQA+ Ally

Maria is at the helm of Basketball NSW as our Chief Executive Officer. She has over 25 years’ experience as a Business leader, sales professional, and board member.

For the past 18 years, she has worked as a senior executive with a proven track record in successfully and consistently building high performing organisations and cultures. She achieved this through the use of both standard and innovative leadership methodologies, developing and leading high performing individuals and teams.

Her leadership style fosters a culture of trust and empowerment, resulting in improved staff retention and engagement. While Maria uses proven techniques for leadership and coaching, her work is anchored in the reality of day-to-day business demands and challenges.

Maria has extensive expertise in organisational and sales strategy development and execution consistently, delivering solid financial management, effective sales planning and execution, people and performance management and tactical marketing.

Maria’s signature leadership style drives transformation and change, whilst creating a culture of innovation and creativity.

Maria spends her free time on horse back or hiking through the hills, practising yoga and spending time with her family.

Caroline McLuckie

Chief Financial Officer / HR Manager

Caroline is a Pride in Sport LGBTIQA+ Ally

Being a stereotypical Scot, I am tight when it comes to cash and will keep a close eye on the $$$ being spent, from staples to apparel. Not a normal accountant, I look for ways to explain numbers to non-numbers people. Usually in the form of graphs and gifs, and using basic language – not everyone knows what a provision is!

With a background in community sport, I can sympathise with the challenges and frustrations faced by small committees and boards who would rather just develop their sport rather than spend hours understanding and working on the admin. Ask me for tools to make this easier.

Outside of work, I can be usually seen using my elbows to bash up players on the lacrosse field and gaining unknown bruises due to my clumsiness.

Geoff Tripp

He/Him

General Manager Growth & Marketing

Geoff is a Pride in Sport LGBTIQA+ Ally

With more than 25 years of experience in basketball as an administrator, Geoff has been involved at levels of the game from starting as a referee at the Shoalhaven Basketball Stadium right through to work at both the State and National levels of the sport.

Geoff returned back to Basketball NSW in 2014 and now leads our Community Growth and Marketing Team, he strives to establish and maintain honest and meaningful interpersonal relationships with our associations. He believes in empowering his team to achieve and focuses on a philosophy of no one is bigger than the game and that basketball is everyone’s game!

Better known as the Trip Advisor, Geoff’s other loves include photography and drinking coffee!

Brett Coxsedge

General Manager Coaching and Development

Originally from the country and a graduate of Gilgandra Grammar, Brett has coached at just about every level from Association land, to State teams, to college in the USA, at World University Games and in the NBL as an assistant coach with the mighty West Sydney Razorbacks and Sydney Spirit. This is Brett's second stint at Basketball NSW (having worked previously at the ITC Head Coach back in the early 2000's) and also spent 6 years working in the wild west for Basketball WA.

Jokingly referred to as the "best in the business," Brett also has a personal motto of "no excuses...get it done" and loves pineapple on pizza!

A tragic Parramatta Eels and Sydney Swans supporter who longs for a return of the glory days, Brett believes that the future of basketball in NSW is very bright with the talent of athletes available and the great array of hard-working coaches that volunteer their time to help make the sport better.

Chanelle Bailey

Senior Manager of Competitions & Leagues

Chanelle also works in our competitions department, during the season you’ll find her working with all of our country associations or going cross-eyes, from the numerous court grids and draws that need to be completed for the five country junior leagues.

It’s fair to say that Chanelle has a competitive streak, but keeps it on the down-low so naturally, competition (off-court) arises between the competition department with Country v Metro.

In the off season, Chanelle loves venturing out and exploring the world of ours, trying new things and always planning the next getaway. Always on the hunt for a last-minute deal when it comes to getaways.

Michelle Nicholas

Officials and Competitions Administrator

Michelle has a love of sport (with a few rare exceptions including Golf) and has been involved in basketball from a young age. 

Her passion for all things Technical has given her the opportunity to be involved as a technical official at the highest level for Basketball, Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Rugby.

She can be seen around the courts regularly educating referees and score table officials.

Ricky Hetherington

Competitions Coordinator

Ricky is what you call a true sports fanatic, from the popular sports’ of Rugby League and Soccer to the less popular sport of darts, Ricky loves them all and will always take over a TV to watch them. And yes he has tried them all and has the equipment for them all.

Ricky is also an Elite Level Touch Football Coach and at his old job at NSW Touch was known as the king of GameDayApp (possibly self-appointed).

He is a father of 2 (6 if you included wife and 2 dogs and a cat), all of whom are his boss at home at some stage.

Emma Rance

Competitions Coordinator

I am an avid muso that can often be found humming Christmas songs all year round. I am amazing at quoting movies line for line and being able to tell you what movie is starting by the opening song.

I have a keen interest in hockey and will never say no to going to watch a game. Can usually be found wearing a pair of Converse (even on my wedding day) or with multiple pairs in my closet.

Jarrod Moore

Coach Development Manager

Jarrod is passionate about Australia, basketball and people. Hope to see the game one-day grow into a sustainable and well-oiled machine in Australia.

Curtis Sardi

High Performance Coach

I started out as a die-hard basketball fan of the West Sydney Slammers who later became the West Sydney Razorbacks, I have been around the sport for 30 years. I began playing at Penrith Basketball Association, then I turned to coaching junior teams whilst continuing to play at Penrith. I then became a Basketball NSW network coach for NITP (SPP) and was given the opportunity to coach NSW State teams.

I was then fortunate enough to become the Basketball NSW High-Performance coach in 2018, dedicated to athletes and coaches in country NSW. I've been focusing on building relationships and seeking out the hidden talent in untapped areas. I'm driven to get out to our Country areas to deliver SPP but also develop the SPP program to have unity across Metro & Country and help our State teams be as successful as possible on a regular basis at Nationals.

Outside of work I love to spend as much time with my family as I can. I enjoy watching as much basketball & soccer in my spare time. My favourite TV series is 'The Big Bang Theory.

Antonio Rosina

Coaching & Development Administrator

Antonio joins Basketball NSW in the role of Coaching & Development Administrator after completing his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Sports Management abroad in the United States.

A lover of all things Sydney Roosters, Manchester United, Western Sydney Wanderers and or anyone else who rivals a team Jaylee supports.

When not at work Antonio is always found somewhere near a football (soccer) field as either a coach, a player, or just a spectator enjoying the game. Antonio is also a strong believer that it should be called football across Australia.

David Watts

Member Protection Officer & Disciplinary Tribunal Manager

David is a Pride in Sport LGBTIQA+ Ally

David has been involved with the sport of basketball at various times over the past 35 years. David joined the Basketball NSW ‘family’ after an lengthy and highly decorated career with the NSW Police.

A graduate from Charles Sturt University, David has gained extensive experience working on a number of covert and overt drug operations, a wide variety of investigations, and he was also an integral member of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Security Command police contingent which was given the honour of being “…the most successful, safest, friendliest Games ever staged…”

With more than 21 years experience as a trained investigator and 15 years as a criminal law prosecutor within the NSW Police Force, David now performs the roles of in-house Investigator, Member Protection Officer and the Manager of Disciplinary Tribunals.

Steve Clark

Head of Technical Officials

Steve joined Basketball New South Wales in 2021 as our Head of Technical Officials after a 25 year career in the National Rugby League as an on field referee, video official and then in referee coaching, education and development. Steve refereed in over 300 games on field another 300 plus games as a video official as well as refereeing 5 State of Origin Matches, 8 Test Matches and 2 World Cups.

Outside of Rugby League, Steve is a general Sport lover and is a keen golfer. Steve his wife Christine and their daughters are all regular sport participants.

Steve loves a coffee and also a good meal at night with the family.

Adam McIntyre

Technical Officials Development Officer

Adam has been a basketball referee for over 10 years, he has played the game for over 20 years and is now working on developing the game as on our of Technical Officials Development Officers.

Fair to say his life revolves around basketball!

On the court, everyone listens to him, at home…. Adam tells us NOBODY listens to him!

Away from basketball, he is the king of Golf Clash! (Just don’t ask the kids)

Alisha Sixtus

Digital and Database Coordinator

Alisha is our resident Kiwi and has a sporting background in Equestrian (horse riding) as an athlete, coach and in recent years administration and management of the sport. She has a thorough knowledge of sport databases and online management systems as well as experience in website design/management.

With her sound problem solving skills she is looking forward to helping our associations make the most of the technology available to them, to minimise their time spent on administration tasks.

Being new to Basketball she has no pre-existing team loyalties and welcomes all suggestions on who to support!

Jaylee Ismay

She/Her

Communications and Digital Media Officer

Jaylee is a Pride in Sport LGBTIQA+ Ally

Jaylee undertakes the role of Communications and Digital Media Officer, hailing from the University of Canberra Capitals WNBL media team.

A graduate a Bachelor of Sports Media from the University of Canberra, Jaylee is another staff member that lives and breathes sport and is a firm believer in equality for all female athletes.

She is the self-confessed ‘social media whizz’ and always has her phone no more than 30 centimetres away from her at all times in order to continuously update our members by tweeting or Instagramming all the latest news, events, pictures and everything else basketball.

You’ll find Jaylee in the winter months trying to stay warm as she cheers on her beloved NRL team, the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks at all their home and away games before the Sydney Kings & Sydney Sixers kick off their season in summer.

Rachel Herrick

Program Manager Women and Girls

Rachel is a Pride in Sport LGBTIQA+ Ally

Rachel is currently on maternity leave.

Meet Rachel, our Program Manager Women and Girls here at Basketball NSW.

Rachel is a great ambassador for the game of basketball, she has played at an elite level in Australia’s national competition for women, called the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) where she played for numerous clubs from the AIS, Adelaide, Bendigo and Sydney Uni.

Rachel leads a number of our participation programs from I Am A Girl, I Can Do Anything!, Wheelchair Basketball, Walking basketball, Basketball for Players with an Intellectual Disability, Rachel strongly believes and lives that basketball is a game for everyone.

Away from the office Rachel also volunteers her time as a freelance commentator and calls the home games for the Sydney Uni Flames in the WNBL.

Martha Lourey-Bird

Program Manager Women and Girls (Maternity Contract)

Martha, a Sports and Exercise Scientist and 15-year lecturer at the University of New South Wales' Faculty of Medicine, has an international corporate career in women's health. She has joined BNSW to manage the FIBA WWC women and girls Legacy programs.

Martha contributes her expertise globally to both the sports industry and corporate sector, always working to improve sports participation and/or physical activity levels. Whether that be serving on Sports Boards, coaching young athletes or presenting to Executive teams, she has a special interest in increasing and retaining women and girls in sport, as well as gender equity and inclusion - both on and off the court.

Martha and her husband are both ex-athletes but it was their two sporty children that introduced them to the world of basketball a decade ago, and it has taken over all their lives!

Amy Nolan

Community Growth Programs Administrator

While not having played basketball since school PE, Amy knows how to throw and catch a ball from her involvement in netball. Don’t hesitate to remind her that she can dribble and move with the ball in Basketball if she forgets. Having started playing sport at a young age she will give anything a go and is just a ‘bit’ competitive…

Amy’s passions, however, lie in having fun and increasing participation. She wants as many people to be active and get involved in the sport as possible. With her involvement as a player, coach and umpire in numerous other sports you never know what hybrid activity she will throw at you on the court.

Karen Irwin

I Am A Girl Program Coordinator

Karen (better known as Kaz) joined Basketball NSW in 2021 and is our coordinator for all of our I AM A GIRL activations, Kaz has been involved in basketball for many years and is passionate about kids having fun, kids making friendships through basketball and empowering your girls to chase their dreams.

Kaz’s laugh is certainly infectious!

When she is not smiling, which is pretty rare, she is on the lookout for ways to improve women and girls experiences in basketball.

Darren Allie

Indigenous, Cultural & Linguistically Diverse Programs Manager

Ben Bagoly

Regional Development Officer - Southern

Ben spent nearly ten years in the underground mining industry while coaching various teams around the Illawarra. Now he has accepted the role of Regional Development Officers Southern Region.

He is looking forward to helping the southern region of NSW develop in all aspects of the sport and making basketball assessable for all in southern NSW.

Ben is a proud dad of two girls who keep him nice busy when he is not on the floor coaching.

Cristi Juffermans

Regional Development Officer - Northern

Cristi is a Pride in Sport LGBTIQA+ Ally

Cristi is our Regional Development Officer for Northern NSW. She is a local Coffs Harbour resident with a love for basketball in her blood.

Cristi has continued to play, coach and raise her family to play the sport.

As somebody who grew up living and breathing basketball, Cristi is really passionate about promoting the sport to young people. Her own children all play (from domestic comp, to state level) and she can often be seen driving them up and down the highway taking them to their next tournament.

She believes that basketball has so many benefits and opens so many doorways for kids…. not just for their physical fitness.

Cristi is excited to be able to work with Basketball NSW to grow the sport from grass-roots level, and encourage more kids from all walks of life, into the sport that she loves.

Isabel Forbes

Regional Development Officer - Riverina

Isabel joins Basketball NSW as the Regional Development Officer – Riverina after a long military career as an Operational Administrator in the Australian Army which saw her live and work across many locations within Australia and deployments overseas.

Her passion for basketball stems from volunteering at a local association and becoming part of a strong sporting community and seeing barriers being broken down for children of all ages and backgrounds in an inclusive environment. Isabel is very excited to be part of the BNSW team and working with associations, schools and other agencies looking to increase awareness and participation in all basketball programs that BNSW have to offer.

In her down time, Isabel can be found planning the next getaway with family & friends; from camping to resorts. Party planning skills are well known amongst friends which also spill onto the basketball court adding a sprinkle of glitter where she goes.

Lauren King

Regional Development Officer - Far North

Lauren is a Pride in Sport LGBTIQA+ Ally

Lauren is our Regional Development Officer covering the Far North Region. Based in Lennox Head Lauren’s area runs primarily between Grafton and the NSW / QLD border.

Lauren grew up playing basketball in the Far North where the basketball community nurtured her love and enjoyment for the game. Lauren loved watching the Sydney Flames in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) on television as a kid, dreaming of one day playing for the Flames-her dream came true some years later, along with playing over 250 games in the WNBL.

When Lauren isn’t coaching or playing in her local basketball comp she loves to get out in the sun and enjoy the great beaches and food in the area with her family.

Lucinda Khawly

Assistant Accountant

Lucinda is a mother of two young children (3 if you include the husband) who has recently completed my CPA (certified practising accountant) studies.

She enjoys the challenge of complex reconciliations & continuous learning of different aspects of accounting.

In her downtime, I love keeping fit by heading to the gym where I love to smash out a HIIT class or outdoors with the family exploring wildlife on a bushwalk.

In the NRL season, you can find her either at Jubilee oval or WIN stadium cheering on my beloved St George Illawarra Dragons.

Ruth Sabado

Accounts Receivable & Payable

Ruth is our master of accounts receivable and payable; a super organised individual who is dedicated to her role. A team player within the office and loves nothing better to ensuring that timelines are met and that all of our associations are treated with the utmost respect.

You’ll also find that Ruth is a fan of coloured folders, and loves her filing, her indexing methods range from simply writing names on folder tabs to computer-generated strip labels complete with names, numbers, color codes and much more.

Luisa Mastrangelo-Clarke

Grants Writer

Luisa is a Pride in Sport LGBTIQA+ Ally

Luisa joined the Basketball NSW family in 2021 and heads up the grants, philanthropy and sponsorship area.

She has over a decade of experience in the Philanthropic sector and a passion for helping great ideas come to life. Luisa believes in building partnerships based on trust, common goals and a little bit of magic.

When she’s not flicking through the thesaurus looking for the perfect word for the perfect proposal you’ll find her supporting her three girls in a variety of creative and sporting activities.

Luisa loves all things food and has a flare for sorting a messy cupboard.