BNSW Staff

Maria Nordstrom

She/Her

Chief Executive Officer

Maria is a Pride in Basketball 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. Her 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 pilates and spending time with her family.

Maria is a graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors course, and recently completed the non-for profit Australian Institute of Company Directors refresher course.

Maris is also a Non-executive Director Sport NSW and a Non-executive Director of IFMG

Caroline McLuckie (on maternity leave)

Chief Financial Officer / HR Manager

Caroline is a Pride in Basketball 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 Community Growth & Marketing

Geoff is a Pride in Basketball LGBTIQA+ Ambassador

Geoff is an experienced basketball administrator with more than 25 years of involvement in the sport at all levels, from refereeing at the local stadium to working at a national level. Passionate and enthusiastic, Geoff has a wide range of skills in event management, product and program development, marketing, brand management, and more.

At Basketball NSW, Geoff is responsible for Community Growth & Marketing, which includes developing community programs and expanding participation in the sport among diverse groups such as LGBTQIA+, as well as providing support services to member associations and organising events.

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.

Janna Mizens

Wheelchair Basketball Manager

Janna Mizens has over 25 years of experience in various administrative, management, design, and delivery roles in adaptive sports with particular interest in wheelchair basketball. She has proficiency in supporting athletes and coaches from grassroots to high-performance, internationally and in Australia.

Currently, the National Coach Developer for Basketball Australia and Wheelchair Basketball Manager for Basketball NSW. She designed and delivered the first Wheelchair Basketball Association Course in a four-day camp with 30 coaches from across the nation with significant increase in female and past athlete participation. As Wheelchair Basketball Manager, she is instrumental in creating the framework for the first state athlete development program and supporting clubs in the inclusion of wheelchair basketball.

She is a two-time Paralympian and Gold Medallist for Team USA wheelchair basketball. While attaining a double master’s as a student-athlete at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Urban and Regional Planning and Sports Management she wrote her master’s thesis on “Constraints of Elite Athletes with Disabilities in Kenya,” which she later published in the Journal of Leisure Research. Her research provides a hierarchical model of constraint at the societal level. As a result of research, she also was the Director of the University of Illinois Instructional Series on wheelchair basketball that provided over three-hours of individual, small group and team skills that had global reach.

Janna is passionate about establishing grassroots to high-performance frameworks that support participation in sport for all. Outside of wheelchair basketball, she loves being a wife and mum of two boys.

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.

Ryann Oakman

Competitions Coordinator

Ryann is our Competitions Coordinator for the Junior Leagues. She has recently graduated from the University of Technology Sydney with a degree in Sports and Exercise Management, and is passionate about Australian sports and fitness.

Ryann has been involved in numerous team sports from a young age, and is an avid football (soccer) fan. Outside of work, Ryann loves to spend time with family and friends, traveling, reading and heading to the nearest beach

Leaf Newman

She/They

Competitions Coordinator

Leaf is a Pride in Basketball LGBTIQA+ Ally

With involvement in the sport through officiating, administration, marketing and more, Elli lives and breathes basketball. They have represented NSW as an official at a number of Australian Junior Championships, and refereed on the NBL1 East and Waratah Leagues. As a proud non-binary person, Elli is a big advocate for Trans rights and gender diversity in sport. They stand as an ally and advocate for gender-diverse people who participate in sport in NSW.

When they aren’t watching or participating in basketball, Elli is watching Cricket, Rugby League, AFL, or any other sport that happens to be on TV at the time.

Outside of sport, Elli loves graphic design, marketing, and recording music at home.

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.

Macs Monk

High Performance Coach

Original from Coffs Harbour, Macs am an avid basketball fan. He has played Representative Basketball for the Ryde (now Inner West) Bulls. Once Macs graduated from playing basketball he moved into the coaching space becoming the Development Officer at Ryde and was there for four years before moving to Norths Basketball as their Development Officer. He has also been a network coach for BNSW for 4 years.

Macs holds a degree in education from the Australian Catholic University and have a passion for athlete welfare and development.

A fun fact about Macs is that he was the 2nd Trombone (out of 2) for the Marsden High School Big Band. He no longer plays the trombone.

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 Basketball 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)

Bradley Mattioli

Technical Officials Development Officer: High Performance

Meet Bradley, taking on the role of Technical Officials Development Officer for High Performance at Basketball New South Wales. With over 18 years of basketball experience, Bradley's journey began as a player in Miniball competitions, transitioning into a successful 14+ year career as a referee, now officiating in the Australian National Leagues.

During high school, Bradley dabbled in various sports, however, during this time his passion for basketball ignited, representing the Norths Bears at a representative level. Over time, his love for refereeing grew, leading to a remarkable professional journey, including opportunities officiating at Australian Junior Championships, NBL1 East, and the Women's National Basketball League.

Bradley's dedication to helping others extends beyond the court, with over 4+ years of experience as a Strength & Conditioning Coach, helping other athletes reach new heights in their athletic capabilities and refereeing journey.

When not running on the court, Bradley can be found behind a boat, Water Skiing, and savouring a good cup of coffee.

Alisha Sixtus

Digital and Database Coordinator

Alisha is a Pride in Basketball LGBTIQA+ Ally

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

Media & Communications Manager

Jaylee is a Pride in Basketball LGBTIQA+ Ally

Jaylee is our social media/marketing/communications guru who has been with us for close to five years. She is all about female empowerment and makes sure that all girls young and old are treated fairly and granted the same respect, especially in sport. Jaylee spends most weekends away on the sidelines taking photos and videos across our leagues and high-performance events.

You’ll find Jaylee in the winter months trying to stay warm as she cheers on her beloved NRL team, the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks.

Celine Shashati

Content Creator & Communications Officer

Celine is a Pride in Basketball LGBTIQA+ Ally

Celine is our Content Creator & Communications Officer and has spent some time in the sports industry, including working at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022.

She is passionate about equal opportunities for all, and promoting the growth of females in basketball, from clubs and grassroots to elite levels.
Celine wants to be able to display the incredible talent we have in NSW, and boost opportunities to get involved in basketball (beyond just playing professionally), as it can provide community for all, regardless of backgrounds, skill level and orientation.

When Celine isn't shooting content, you can find her at the beach, cinemas or travelling.

Rachel Herrick

She/Her

Program Manager Women and Girls

Rachel is a Pride in Basketball LGBTIQA+ Ally

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.

Amy Nolan

She/Her

Community Growth Programs Administrator

Amy is a Pride in Basketball LGBTIQA+ Ally

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.

Darren Allie

Indigenous, Cultural & Linguistically Diverse Programs Manager

Darren has spent the 20 years working in community development through sport. He has seen the difference sport can make in people's lives in metro, rural and remote settings and is passionate about empowering youth people to get out of their comfort zone and find a way to chase their dreams.

He has been a long term member of Basketball NSW through playing and coaching and is excited to have the opportunity to work in the sport he loves. Darren leads the Indigenous and Multicultural Programs with the dedicated team of region development officers that work across the state.

Darren believes that the most important aspect of work and life is quality relationships and making time for yourself to escape and switch off. In his time away from work he can be seen camping somewhere beautiful and remote or trying to hit a little white ball in a hole, "Tap it In!"

Cristi Juffermans

Regional Development Officer - Northern

Cristi is a Pride in Basketball 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 Basketball 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

Head of Partnerships

Luisa is a Pride in Basketball 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.

Tee Fuko

Sports Administrator

Tee joins Basketball NSW in the role of Sports Administrator. Having played various team sports from a young age, Tee has become a general sport lover, avidly supporting a team/athlete in most codes.

Tee holds a Bachelor’s degree in Government & International Relations and is currently completing post-graduate law studies at UNSW with a hope to eventually apply these within sport.

Outside of work, Tee can be found at the nearest beach; rain, hail or shine.