Basketball: Australian cock-a-hoop at basketball post

WELLINGTON - David Crocker said he jumped at the offer to become Basketball New Zealand's general manager because the sport in Australia had "lost the plot."

The 32-year-old Australian said last night he was "absolutely stoked" with his appointment and looking forward to the challenge of trying to turn around the $171,694 debt the New Zealand association announced at its annual meeting in Wellington on Saturday.

He said frustration at the way the game was being run in Australia prompted him to chase the New Zealand job even though he knew he would be walking into an insolvent organisation unable to pay its debts.

Crocker will remain in his current job as Basketball Canberra's deputy general manager until January 27 before starting work in Wellington on February 1.

"Basketball has lot the plot here [Australia] at the moment," Crocker said.

"There is a very strong focus on the Sydney 2000 Olympics and that is important to the sport. But they're forgetting about serving the associations, the people at the grassroots.

"I want to make a difference in basketball which is why I'm coming over. I can't wait to get into it."

Originally from Warragul in Victoria, Crocker said he would bring a strong understanding of the sport to his new job after working in the basketball industry for the past 11 years.

He served as the Victorian Basketball Association's development manager and general manager of Geelong Basketball before taking up the role in Canberra 18 months ago.

- NZPA