Leading football and tennis official appointed independent chairman of British Basketball Federation

Nick Humby has been appointed independent chair of the British Basketball Federation ©LinkedIn

Nick Humby has been appointed as the independent chairman of the British Basketball Federation (BBF), the organisation due to take over the running of the sport from English, Scottish and Welsh bodies next year.

The new body has already obtained International Basketball Federation (FIBA) membership, due to come into effect on October 1, 2016.

Humby, currently interim chief operating officer at the English Football Association, who previously served a similar role at the Lawn Tennis Association, is set to take up his position on January 1.

Until then, Bill McInnes will continue to act as interim chair in his capacity as a transitional director from British Performance Basketball.

"I am honoured and delighted to be offered the independent chairmanship of the new British Basketball Federation Board as it prepares to take on the responsibility for FIBA membership next year," Humby said.

"We have an exciting opportunity to grow the sport though the collaboration of the new organisation with the three Home Nations, who were bold and visionary in signing up for the change.

"There is a great deal to do to ensure that the BBF, together with the Home Nations, are set up to deliver on this opportunity.

"I very much look forward to meeting everyone involved in the sport and working with the new Board to develop the plans and build the relationships required to deliver the success we all aspire to.”

The British team will look to return to the heights of their performances in the build-up to Rio 2016, where they beat China in their final match ©Getty Images — The British team will look to return to the heights of their performances at London 2012 in the build-up to Rio 2016, where they beat China in their final match ©Getty Images

The BBF is set to become the "single driving force" for basketball at international level, meaning Britain will compete in FIBA competitions, not only in the senior and under-20 age groups, but also at under-16 and under-18 level.

It will replace the previous system where Basketball Scotland, Basketball Wales and Basketball England all competed as separate bodies.

Five strategic goals have already been cited, prioritising "doing everything possible within available resources to support the senior Great Britain teams in qualifying for EuroBasket 2017 and EuroBasket Women 2017".

Developing "in collaboration with key stakeholders, an overarching strategy for basketball in Britain for 2016 to 2021" is another aim as well as "developing a funding strategy to support all teams to achieve their potential" and "working with elite British clubs to ensure appropriate league structures are in place for the 2016 to 2017 season".

Communicating "regularly with stakeholders about its progress and building on their experience and commitment" is a fourth goal.

A united British team was set up in 2005 in order to compete at the London 2012 Olympics and, despite not progressing from their group, the team - led by then Chicago Bulls star Luol Deng - enjoyed a string of good results, including beating China 90-58 in their final match.

Problems have resurfaced since, however, after they lost their funding from UK Sport, and the team failed to qualify for EuroBasket 2015.

Last November, it was announced that the body would receive £1.18 million ($1.87 million/€1.50 million) in funding, a substancial decrease on the £7 million ($11.5 million/€8.5 million) withdrawn earlier in the year.

Each of the home nations will nominate directors to serve on the BBF Board, with England's Jeff Jones and Scotland's Kevin Pringle having already been selected, and a Welsh appointment due soon.

Jose Maria Buceta has also been appointed as head coach of the women's team to oversee the qualification campaign for EuroBasket Women 2017.