The ABPA sincerely thanks David Andersen for his dedication and service as a Board Director since 2016.

Andersen, who retired from playing NBL basketball in 2021, has served on the ABPA Board since its inception. He has not renominated for the Board and he is taking up a position with the NBL.

Andersen said he was so proud of everything the Association has accomplished.

“I remember playing for the Boomers in 2005 and 2006 and we’d be washing uniforms in the bath overnight, staying in dodgy hotels and you’d really struggle to get insurance to cover you while you were playing for the national team,” Andersen said.

“The work of the ABPA to increase the professionalism of basketball, not just in the Boomers and Opals, but the NBL and WNBL, means athletes can focus and it translates to better on-court performances.

“Now Australian basketball has a worldwide reputation and the game has grown thanks to the work the Association has done by having a great rapport with the NBL and Basketball Australia.”

Andersen says he’s also proud of the holistic, independent and players-focused support the ABPA provides to members. This support enables members to seek support in the areas of mental health, wellbeing and performance psychology support, education and personal development grants, financial health, legal advice and transitioning to life after basketball.

“The tools the Association provides means you can further yourself not just as a basketballer, but as a person,” he said.

And he had some parting words for ABPA CEO Jacob Holmes and ABPA Chairman Greg O’Neill OAM.

“Jacob has been exceptional, he’s a great negotiator and he always has the players’
interests at heart, ensuring everyone received the right level of care. A special mention must go to Greg O’Neill. He has a wealth of knowledge, he’s such an astute person, very generous and he’s helped the ABPA and basketball in Australia so much.

“They both love basketball and to see the sport going up and up.”

Holmes thanked Andersen for his dedication to the ABPA.

“As a founding Director of the ABPA, Dave brought immense experience and knowledge of domestic and international basketball to the table. He believed in the Association when we were just establishing and we were extremely fortunate that Dave understood the purpose and aim of the ABPA from day one and played an important role in all the ABPA has achieved in that time.

“On behalf of everyone at the ABPA, we thank Dave for his unwavering commitment to the players and to the game.”