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Basketball Australia boss Rechter departs

3 minute read

Basketball Australia boss Jerril Rechter has announced her sudden departure from the role just months before the Boomers and Opals contest the Tokyo Olympics.

Jerril Rechter will stand down as Basketball Australia chief executive, just months before the Boomers and Opals contest the Tokyo Olympics.

The chief executive began in the role in February 2019, overseeing the WNBL's COVID-19 Hub tournament, earning the 2022 women's World Cup hosting rights and ordering a review into BA's racial equality.

She departs just weeks after the release of the Australian Human Rights Commission review, which detailed claims of a "white boys' club" mentality and casual racism limiting opportunities for players and staff within the organisation.

However it's understood she'll depart on good terms as the Opals and Boomers - ranked No.2 and No.3 in the world respectively - prepare for Tokyo's delayed Games.

The Opals will also take centre stage at next year's World Cup on home soil, an event that Rechter - the former VicHealth CEO and World Health Organisation advisor - highlighted as key in cementing the sport and team's footprint in the country.

"I am pleased to have had the opportunity to lead Basketball Australia and to achieve outcomes in the areas of diversity, growth, participation and high performance," she said.

"I thank the many stakeholders in government, commercial partners and the basketball community who have collaborated with the organisation and shared in the vision for the sport."

Rechter will remain on the AFL's Western Bulldogs board while an interim chief executive will be announced to replace her at BA beyond April 1.

"Jerril leaves us with a strong overarching strategy and having delivered a successful WNBL season, our first diversity and inclusion framework, a reconciliation action plan and a high-level strategy for women and girls," BA chair Ned Coten said.

"The Board sincerely thanks her for her contribution and we wish her well in her future endeavours."

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