Key Basketball Ballarat position for Neville Ivey

TWO days after it was announced that City of Ballarat director Neville Ivey would not be reapplying for his old job, he was revealed as the new CEO of Basketball Ballarat.

Mr Ivey takes over the role at the head of the region’s overarching basketball association from 30-year veteran and upcoming candidate in October’s municipal election Peter Eddy.

With big shoes to fill Mr Ivey acknowledged that while the expectation set by the outgoing CEO was high, he could also rely on his help if needed.

“Knowing Peter personally I know that I could make a call to him and he’d probably give me some mentoring along the way,” Mr Ivey said.

“I wouldn’t say I was an accomplished basketball player myself but certainly in terms of sports administration I’ve had 11 years with council working in sports and active living and other areas.”

Despite never having lead an organisation of the likes of Basketball Ballarat before, which spans the near full breadth of the sport, from the semi-pro second tier Ballarat Rush and Miners to local comps and grassroots engagement, Mr Ivey said he was well equipped for the job.

“The experience I’ve had in council, particularly in the last few years with attracting events and sporting content to Mars Stadium as has been terrific,” he said.

“We’ve had AFL well reported, but also soccer and rugby coming as well. I think it’s all about networking, making sure you understand what the key drivers are and the content you need to bring to the public, and I think I’m well positioned to do that.”

Most recently Mr Ivey has led the City of Ballarat’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, something he said would transfer over to the Basketball Ballarat leadership position.

“I think the director’s role of pandemic response is going to be invaluable as many sports need to respond to this pandemic in terms of coming back to some form of normality,” he said.

“Sport is such an important part of life, from grassroots to elite, and I’m looking forward to helping Basketball Ballarat though that tricky phase.”

As for what he’ll focus on, Mr Ivey, he said continued development of the sport and facilities are his main goals.

“I’d like to see all courts full, participation rates high, and those participation rates continue right through regardless of gender and ages,” he said. “And to fill the stadium for the Rush and the Miners would be an incredible spectacle.

“It’s also planning for the future… and thinking about what the next stadium might look like. In Ballarat we’ve got an exceptionally high growth rate and I’d like to see some early work put in place in the next 12 months in terms of the new stadium, new courts, what new facilities are required.”

Chair of the Basketball Ballarat board Kim Holloway said she was “excited’ by Mr Ivey’s move into the organisation’s CEO role.

“We are excited about having someone of Neville’s calibre and background to ensure continuity in the short term and to drive new perspectives and enhance the strategy in the medium to long term,” she said.

“Ballarat Basketball is pleased to be able to ensure a smooth transition between CEOs at this critical time for the organisation.”

The recruitment of Mr Ivey was undertaken by JK Personnel. The firm’s managing director and Basketball Ballarat board member Tim Walshe said the process was lengthy and robust.

He also said the impacts of COVID-19 on the association and the legacy of outgoing CEO Mr Eddy were key factors to be considered when searching for a new head.

“We were really aware of the need for thorough process and a professional process,” Mr Walshe said.

“We took the job to market in the middle of June. We advertised that roll nationally though Basketball Victoria and Basketball Australia, and traditionally through Seek and the like.

“We received just under 50 applications… We shortlisted 20, spoke to all 20 and then decided move forward with a dozen.

“Then it was a three-stage interview process. The biggest thing for us, at each stage of the process up to a full presentation to the board, was Neville just set himself apart from his peers.

“We just felt there was a real good values fit with the organisation. He’s a community man and he’s pretty passionate about what he’s been available to achieve for the community with his role at the City.”

The announcement that Mr Ivey would head up Basketball Ballarat came less than 48 hours after City of Ballarat interim-CEO Janet Dore revealed he wouldn’t be applying for any of the currently advertised director roles with the municipality.

Compared to other members of the City’s executive leadership team upon their recent departures, Mr Ivey received a glowing public recommendation from Mr Dore.

“In his time with the City of Ballarat, Neville has been instrumental in lobbying State and Federal governments to secure funding for projects such as Ballarat’s award-winning Victoria Park Inclusive Play Space,” Ms Dore said.

“Neville has also worked diligently with the community to develop crucial infrastructure for Ballarat in the area of sports, libraries and early years.

“These initiatives include Mars Stadium, Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility, Sebastopol Library, Lucas Community Hub, Bonshaw Early Learning Centre and the Girrabanya Integrated Children’s Centre.

“I would like to thank Neville for the significant contribution he has made to the organisation.”

Mr Ivey will formally depart the City of Ballarat on 4 September and step into the CEO job at Basketball Ballarat in late October.

Peter Eddy’s three decades as CEO will conclude at the end of September, and Mark Valentine will take on acting CEO duties for about four weeks.