Suzy Batkovic: Legend’s appointment shifts Basketball Australia’s centre of power to North Queensland

North Queensland is now home to two of Basketball Australia’s major powerbrokers after a Townsville Fire legend was appointed to the national body’s board of directors. Read more.

Suzy Batkovic and John Carey.

North Queensland is now home to two of Basketball Australia’s major powerbrokers after Fire legend Suzy Batkovic was appointed to the national body’s board of directors.

Ms Batkovic, 42, joined BA chairman John Carey, a partner of Townsville law firm Wilson/Ryan/Grose, on the national board for the first time on Monday.

The five-time WNBL MVP featured 110 times for the Australian Opals team between 1999 and 2012, including at three Olympic Games in Athens, Beijing and London.

She retired in 2019 as the Townsville Fire’s most-capped player.

Upon hanging up her sneakers Ms Batkovic took up public office with the Townsville City Council.

Former Townsville Fire captain Suzy Batkovic was a machine on the court. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“I’m excited and honoured to join the BA Board and I welcome the opportunity to give back to the sport that gave me so much over my 20 plus year career,” she said.

“I look forward to working with the Board to continue to grow the sport from grassroots to the elite level.”

Mr Carey said he was delighted to welcome a former player of Batkovic’s stature to the sport’s governing body in Australia.

“Suzy’s basketball pedigree is unmatched, her passion for the game and in particular her work to increase the profile of women’s sport makes her an invaluable board member,” Carey said.

“As a Councillor she is adept at managing multiple stakeholders to achieve mutual outcomes.

“She certainly needs no introduction, and we welcome her to the Board, we are excited for the contribution that she will make.”

Originally published as Suzy Batkovic: Legend’s appointment shifts Basketball Australia’s centre of power to North Queensland