Former Seahawks official faces charges in court
A FORMER general manager allegedly stole from a Gold Coast sporting association after previously holding the role of treasurer, a court has heard.
Kerran Evans appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday and is expected to stand trial in the coming months after pleading not guilty to stealing from the North Gold Coast Seahawks basketball association.
Evans has been charged with one count of stealing as a clerk and servant between January 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019.
The court heard his alleged actions placed the association into debt, requiring the Seahawks to make arrangements with several creditors and launch an extensive investigation into their new-found financial woes.
A redundancy and financial cuts were made to strengthen the association’s financial position.
Evans assumed the mantle of general manager in May 2017 after previously serving as the association’s treasurer.
He finished his tenure at the association in August 2019.
Before linking with the Seahawks, he worked as a financial controller for Baseball Australia.
Seahawks president Ben McGrath said the association had moved on and would spend the next few months serving the interests of its members.
“Every single person on our board is resolute of a positive outcome for our association and junior families,” he said.
“Our focus is squarely on our members. We are now the seventh largest association in Queensland and are located within one of the fastest growth corridors in Queensland on our doorstep.
“We want to provide the best programs for our members, whether they just want to enjoy their basketball or try to crack the elite level.”
Former NBL Cairns Taipans player Dwayne Vale replaced Evans as general manager in October 2019.
The association was on track for its best financial return this year before the COVID-19 crisis forced the suspension of community sport.
Junior basketball has now returned to the court and is set to be followed by representative programs and senior Queensland State League basketball in the coming weeks.
“Under Dwayne’s leadership, we’re confident we’re on the right pathway to achieving our goals,” McGrath said.