New boss has faith in future
SELF-CONFESSED cricket nuffie Dominic Baker has been handed the keys to the state’s only professional national sporting organisation in an era where other codes are eyeing off the Tasmanian landscape.
But Cricket Tasmania’s new CEO has no fear of the small market becoming diluted, confident cricket can handle any competition from rivals codes.
Baker, who was AFL Tasmania chairman from 2006 to 2015, takes the reins of an organisation which underwent a sweeping transformation from his predecessor Nick Cummins.
His vast experience in sports administration, business planning and negotiating — having spent the past 13 years with Federal Group — have him well placed to continue driving CT’s commercial strategy.
It comes as the NBL awaits a decision from the state government on upgrading the Derwent Entertainment Centre which would pave the way for the rebirth of a team in the league, while the push for an AFL team continues and ALeague is also on the radar.
“It is almost like a dream come true for a cricket nuffie from Blackmans Bay who used to follow his father around cricket grounds in southern Tasmania to actually be able to lead the sport in this state, is a fantastic opportunity,” Baker said. “I know the landscape and the sporting landscape, but also the geography which, as we all know, Tasmania has had three distinct regions.
“It’s a small market. There’s absolutely no doubt about that and if you’ve worked in the commercials in any sporting organisation across Tasmania, you’ll know that pretty quickly.
“But we are not here to stifle the growth of other sports. We’re here to maximise the growth of our own.
“Whether it’s football, basketball, soccer, whatever it is, it needs to be a sustainable program and I think what we have proved and will continue to prove over the journey, is that we’ve been able to put a national side in two competitions and we’ve done it over a long period of time.”
Baker, who beat out 55 other applicants from around the world, said bringing additional commercial content to Blundstone Arena will be a focus. He will also lead the charge to secure more international cricket at the venue, as well continue the growth in the women’s program.