The top man in Irish Basketball has been appointed to a prestigious role within FIBA, the sports European Governing Body.
Bernard O’Byrne will combine his position as CEO of the domestic game with the new responsibility on the European Permanent Finance Commission.
“This is a great and well deserved personal honour for Bernard and is a reflection of the significant progress Basketball Ireland has made in organisation, development and financial structures in recent years,” said Basketball Ireland Chair Jackie Dunne.
The return of Ireland to U18 international action this summer and to full senior international representative level in the next 12 months will be further boost to a sport that is on the rise once more.
Health
Last year saw registration income, a good indicator of the health of the sport at grassroots level grow by 10%, and a financial surplus of over €200,000 recorded to put back into growing the sport further.
“Basketball Ireland now has a voice and opinion at the centre of this great European and worldwide sport,” said O’Byrne. “I’m looking forward to making whatever contribution I can over the next four years.”
O’Byrne previously served as the CEO of the Football Association of Ireland who have also traditionally punched above their weight at UEFA level.
He is the latest Irish sporting administrator to take on a key role within continental and international level sport.
Olympic
Pat Hickey, Chairman of the Olympic Council of Ireland holds one of the most senior positions within the Olympic movement on the IOC Executive Council while Warren Deutrom of Cricket Ireland is a key player representing the interests of associate nations in the international corridors of power of his sport.
Two years ago Angus Kirkland stepped up from CEO of Irish Hockey to take the reins as Director General of the European Hockey Federation.
All of these appointments, as well as others reflect well on the governance of sport in Ireland and it is an important if intangible boost to sport here to have so many voices at international representative level.
