FEEHAN HAS MAJOR PLANS
BASKETBALL Ireland has appointed former CEO of Six Nations Rugby and the Lions, John Feehan, to that position with them.
Feehan played the oval ball game for Old Belvedere, UCD and Old Wesley as well as representing Leinster in his time.
He came from a marketing background at Smithkline Beecham and Miller Lite before taking the reins at Six Nations Rugby for 16 years.
Feehan set out his ideas for his new role when he spoke with the Irish
Daily Star yesterday. Asked about his switching of codes, he replied: “There is a reason to do it.
“Basketball is in a really good space and I believe it is ready to explode right now — and I mean explode.
Coverage
“The sport has a huge player base from schools right up to Super League level.
“It has a good commercial base but it needs to up its media coverage.
“We have top class players and great games every week and we need to get this out to the public.
“Maybe we should look at different ways to get our stories out there.
“We have well-known dual players like Kieran Donaghy amongst others and maybe we should be looking to personalise the players we have to get extra TV, radio and newspaper coverage.”
It was put to the new CEO that basketball could be perceived as a something of a minority sport in Ireland.
“I wouldn’t think that we are a minority sport at all but we do have to get the sport a higher profile,” he said.
Difference
So, what will the difference be coming from rugby to basketball — and how long will it take to get his own personal stamp on things?
“Really it doesn’t matter where you work, the solutions are similar,” Feehan added.
“The team you have around you is so important.
“It is something I have worked on wherever I was and Basketball Ireland will be no different.
“We have always got to be moving forward whether they are just small steps, we have to keep going and looking forward.
“I spoke about the team and its importance and back to your question about a timeline.
“It will take a couple of years to get my stamp on things but hopefully not too long.
“I have felt a huge excitement since the announcement and personally I cannot wait to start on November 15.
“I feel a buzz and can’t wait to meet the grassroots people to listen to them and share my ideas” added Feehan.