Stirling comes to the role with an incredible resume within Australian basketball that includes representing the Australian Opals at a FIBA Women’s World Championship and becoming a FIBA Women’s World Championship Gold Medal winning coach as well as a Commonwealth Games Gold Medal winning coach.
Her amazing record of five straight WNBL Grand Final appearances winning a three-peat with the Adelaide Lightning still stands.
“The role of General Manager High Performance is a vital one for the entire system of Australian basketball as it guides and directs our resources and our people to achieve greatness,” said Basketball Australia CEO Anthony Moore.
“I am thrilled to have Jan Stirling join our Executive Management Team and lead our high performance ambitions ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janerio.”
The selection panel was genuinely impressed with the quality of candidates who put themselves forward for this key role.
Stirling stated that “It is humbling to be given this exciting opportunity and leadership role at Basketball Australia. I have sincere appreciation and great respect for the significant contribution all our stakeholders make across the nation. Collectively we have a duty of care to ensure the pathways that support, educate and encourage young athletes, referees and coaches, are environments in which they can excel, as they strive to represent our Nation. I look forward to being able to contribute to the team at BA and beyond.”
The timing of the announcement coincides with Basketball Australia’s review of the alignment of the high performance system within the sport. This alignment work is designed to ensure that the pathway from the Vicinity Centres Aussie Hoops program all the way to the Olympic and Paralympic Games is clear for all athletes, coaches and referees in Australia.
Stirling’s appointment completes the organisational restructure that Basketball Australia has been embarking on since Moore’s appointment in October 2014. The new Basketball Australia Executive Management comprises:
- Anthony Moore, Chief Executive
- Greg Hill, Chief Financial Officer
- Lisa Hasker, General Manager Community and Stakeholder Relations
- Jan Stirling, General Manager High Performance
- Paul Maley, General Manager WNBL & Competitions
The role commences early in the New Year.
For more information, please call Lisa Hasker, GM Community and Stakeholder Relations, Basketball Australia, PH: 0418 194 933.
Jan Stirling Bio
Jan Stirling played 163 WNBL games (1982 – 1991) and represented the Opals at the 1975 FIBA World Championships.
However, it was what Stirling accomplished as a coach that truly sets her apart. Taking over the reins of the Adelaide Lightning in 1993, she created one of the great dynasties of Australian basketball.
Stirling guided her team to five consecutive WNBL Grand Finals, winning a hat-trick of titles from 1994-1996 and another in 1998. Her ascension to the Australian Opals coaching role was a natural progression, and when the Opals won gold at the 2006 FIBA World Championships in Brazil, her place in Australian basketball history was assured.
The first-ever gold medal by a senior Australian basketball team would be surrounded by silver medals at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, bronze at the 2002 FIBA World Championships and gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Stirling was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2008 for her contribution to sport - as an elite coach, player and as a contributor to professional development and the community.
Most recently, Stirling was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame for her contribution to Australian basketball, becoming the fourth Australian, the third female coach and the tenth coach overall to earn the honour.
