The move spells the end of the Basketball Victoria Country name, but BV is confident no player, club or association will be adversely affected by the board-endorsed changes.
The BVC Commission disagrees, sending a letter addressed to the presidents of all 106 country associations.
“In recent weeks the Basketball Victoria board has undergone a staff restructure that has significant impact on our country basketball associations,” the letter — from BVC Commission chair Bill Jeffs — said.
“The changes inherent in this restructure also demand changes to the current Victoria Country Commission Charter (current until January 1, 2021).
“We (the BVC Commission) wish to raise our strong dissatisfaction with the recent decision of the BV board to undertake this restructure of staff given the negative impact this will have on Victorian country basketball associations.”
The commission believes decisions were made without proper consultation and could dilute the focus on regional players and clubs BVC has provided for for more than five decades.
“Given the impact these changes will have on our country associations our first concern is the lack of consultation that took place prior to our chair, Bill Jeffs, being presented with the changes at a Zoom meeting he was called to attend on September 28th,” the letter said.
“There was no agenda or documents provided prior to the meeting to enable a considered and informed response to what was ultimately presented.
“In that meeting and in subsequent information provided it was pointed out that the current Basketball Victoria Country manager position would no longer exist, but would be absorbed under a new position ‘Manager of Member and Community Services’.
“Given the details of this new managerial role in the position description it is clearly apparent that the duties and responsibilities currently undertaken by the BVC manager for BVC are no longer included, this will mean that our country associations will no longer be provided with a Basketball Victoria Country manager, the service that has been so important to them.
“The provision of a manager with the cultural and experiential understanding of the country basketball landscape has been a long standing (over 50 years) key to our development and success.
“The loss of a dedicated BVC manager is definitely not for the benefit of our 106 associations, especially given the position description of the new role.
“Given the breadth of the new position description, country Victorian member associations will not receive anywhere near the same level of service as it currently requires and receives.”
The commission is seeking clarification from BV and feedback from its associations.
“On behalf of the BVC Commission I seek your support in this matter,” Jeffs said to the presidents.
“It has ramifications for all that has been achieved historically for basketball in country Victoria (over more than 50 years) and has severe implications for our collective identity, our future, our relevance and our independence in developing and promoting basketball in country Victoria.”
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