When former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally was shooting hoops at her high school in West Toledo surely she never imagined a future as the head of Australian basketball.
But on Friday, the Basketball Australia (BA) board announced it had voted unanimously to appoint the politician as their chair.
On Friday the Labor back-bencher said she would promote the WNBL as a major league in Australia during her two-year appointment.
"(It) deserves just as much attention in terms of sponsorship or television or attendance as the men's competition," Keneally said.
She said she could speak with a bit of knowledge of the sport and understood what it meant.
"I am passionate about sports in general and basketball in particular."
Keneally replaces outgoing acting BA chair Justin Milne, who filled the role after Diane Smith-Gander elected not to continue in the role.
She said the sport's potential over was largely untapped and she saw huge opportunities for growth in both men's and women's basketball.
"There's currently over a million people in Australia (playing basketball), that's pretty significant, of course we'd like to see that grow," she said.
When asked about her unanimous appointment to the role she said, "There's a great desire to see someone who can stand up and speak for the league and speak with a bit of knowledge of the sport as well."
She said the immediate focus of BA was on the Olympics and she had high hopes of both the men's and women's teams returning with medals "of the golden variety".
Milne said Keneally was selected because of her great values and fierce determination.
Keneally said she was looking forward to the challenge.
"I think the experience that a politician brings, somebody who has worked across government, private sector and community organisations, is relevant experience."
She will receive a $50,000 stipend.
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