MEAA establishes Australian Basketballers’ Association
The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) is thrilled to welcome aboard the Australian Basketballers’ Association (ABA) as a new body to represent the country’s top men and women basketballers.
The ABA has been established to protect and advance the rights, interests and welfare of Australian basketball players.
Headed up by former Boomer and NBL player, Jacob Holmes and Opals legend, Lauren Jackson, with industrial support from MEAA, the ABA endeavours to ensure player wellbeing, improve player conditions and protect and defend player rights, including decent pay.
Holmes said, “We established the ABA to influence decisions in players’ best interests, the best interest for the game, and to protect player rights with transparency and professionalism.”
The ABA now has the backing of the majority of Australia’s professional basketballers including the national Australian mens’ and women’s basketball teams, the Boomers and Opals, who both recently unanimously voted to join their counterparts in the NBL and WNBL to be professionally represented and protected by the ABA.
Basketball Australia has also offered support to a the notion of a players’ organisation representing all professional basketballers.
Jackson said, “The votes were a resounding result. The Opals and I look forward to working together with the male players to form a united front when bargaining for our enterprise agreement. We are pleased to have union representation to further the interests of all professional basketball players in Australia.”
Boomers and Utah Jazz player, Joe Ingles said, “We’re excited to join together all Australian basketball players under one banner. The players feel that working together with a united voice is the best way to positively influence the direction of basketball in Australia.”
Both Ingles and Boomers teammate David Andersen have been elected as co-presidents of the Boomers.
Paul Murphy, MEAA CEO said, “MEAA is delighted to welcome the Opals and Boomers into our ABA community, and we look forward to making a positive contribution and providing professional representation and support”.
For more information please contact Lauren Katsikitis 0422 758 932 lauren.katsikitis@meaa.org
MEAA establishes Australian Basketballers’ Association
The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) is thrilled to welcome aboard the Australian Basketballers’ Association (ABA) as a new body to represent the country’s top men and women basketballers.
Last update: October 22, 2015
