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<<EXCERPT FROM
2001 TEAM GUIDE>>
TIM THODEY
Director
Tim Thodey continues his work as a director of the
Canterbury Rams since taking on the shared role last
season. Tim is responsible for the administration of the
organisation and operations. He works in the information
technology sector operating an investment bank and is a
Director of several tech companies. As the immediate past
president of the Canterbury Basketball Association (CBA)
he led a team that took the CBA from the brink of
bankruptcy (with debts in excess of $100,000) to
financial solvency. This team included current Executive
members: Gilbert Gordon, Ian Graham and Ian Webb.
JOHN
WATSON
Director
John Watson is one of the Directors of the Rams. He is
responsible for managing all of the Rams operations and
established many of the successful marketing initiatives
of the Rams last season. Had a deep ‘love for the
game’ since an early age. John is the fuel (and the
fuel pump!) that keeps the Rams engine running. Has a PhD
in Marketing from Pennsylvania State University, USA.
Currently works as a Marketing Lecturer at the University
of Canterbury. Father was most influential person on his
career “he was my coach and mentor.” Married to
Leslie and proud father of three: John “Buzz”
(4), Noah (2) and Stephen (4 months).
IAN
GRAHAM
Sponsorship Liaison
Ian Graham returns for his second year on the Executive
Committee as the Sponsorship Liaison. His
responsibilities include: organising new sponsors,
maintaining sponsorship deals, corporate box sales, and
fundraising. Ian has been a NBL referee for a number of
years and was a member of the CBA Executive, including
the period when current Rams’ director Tim Thodey
was president. He works as an Investment Advisor for
Argent Financial Services. Ian and his wife Sue have
three children: Vanessa, Natasha and Nathan.
GILBERT
GORDON
CBA Representative
Gilbert Gordon joins the Executive Committee as the
Canterbury Basketball Association (CBA) representative.
Gilbert has been a member of the CBA executive for five
years. Along with his near seven foot frame, Gilbert is
one of the most well-known and popular Rams players.
Gilbert holds the record for the most NBL titles with
six. He also played over 100 games for the Tall Blacks
with distinction. Gilbert works as a Consulting Engineer
with Connell Mott MacDonald. Gilbert and his wife Linda
have three children Elizabeth (11), Michael (10) and
Kathy (7).
SARI
FARRANT
Operations Manager
Sari Farrant joins the Executive Committee this
season as the Operations Manager. She is responsible for
organising the Rams away trips including accommodation
and transportation. Sari teaches new entrants and is the
junior school leader at Tai-Tapu Primary School. She is
also studying part time to complete a Bachelor of
Teaching and Learning. Sari’s husband Craig is a
member of the Rams squad and they have two German
Shepherd dogs, Zeus and Jedi. Sari admits she had no
understanding of basketball until she met Craig in 1994
when he was playing for North Harbour.
NICOLA
ODGERS
Functions Manager
Nicola Odgers continues her involvement with the
Rams after dong an excellent job as Operations Manager
last season. Nicola is responsible for organising all the
Rams functions, including sponsor, media and after-match
events. She is a founding member of the BSMS. Nicola
graduated from the University of Canterbury this year
with a B.Com in Marketing and Human Resources, and is
undertaking Postgraduate studies in Communication
Management through Massey University. Nicola works
part-time as an Aerobics Instructor and enjoys netball,
tennis and travelling.
CLINTON
OLSON
Schools
Programme Coordinator
Clinton Olson is responsible for coordinating the Rambo
Trust Schools Programme. This involves contacting a
number of schools in the Canterbury area, setting up
visits for Rams players and Rambo, and arranging the
Rams-School tickets fundraising promotion. Clinton is in
the third year of a BA Degree in Geography at the
University of Canterbury and is playing for the
Canterbury Knights this season. He also coaches many
North Canterbury Junior Teams including the Rangiora High
School Boys team as well as the Basketball Canterbury U16
team.
LESLIE
RAYMORE WATSON
Community Outreach / Ticketing / Accounting
Leslie Raymore Watson is one of the driving
forces behind the Rams organisation. She is responsible
for managing the Rambo Charitable Trust, organising the
tickets and the accounting. This is certainly not a full
list as Leslie also handles much of the Rams
communications and volunteers her “free” (and
not so free) hours to Rams operations. Leslie has a PhD
and is on parental leave from her position as lecturer at
Lincoln University in Recreation Management. Enjoys
travelling, skiing, going to the gym, swimming, reading
and the movies - “and hanging out with my family, of
course! I don't get much time for the first six things
right now!” Leslie’s husband John is a director
and player for the Rams and they have three children,
John “Buzz” (4), Noah (2), Stephen (4 months).
DENE
ROBINSON
Rams
Bench Manager / Knights Manager
Dene Robinson joins the Executive Committee this
year and will act as the Rams Bench Manager, looking
after team requirements pre, during and post game, as
well as managing the Canterbury Knights. Dene has
recently decided to retire from playing basketball and
focus on the administration and coaching of the game.
During his playing career he represented the Canterbury
second division team in 1994 and 1995 and the HSOB club
for 18 years. Dene works for Sport Canterbury as their
Business Development Manager. He has also competed at a
national level in surf life saving and swimming.
Dene’s partner is Meredith Crone (statistics crew
member) who has two children Dave (14) and Tim (12).
PIET
VAN HASSELT
Information Coordinator / Webmaster / Court Controller
Piet Van Hasselt is a self-confessed
“basketball-junkie” and is one of the key
behind-the-scenes workers in the Rams organisation. Last
year he contributed over 500 hours as the Game
Entertainment Manager, Webmaster of Rampages, Team
Publications editor and designer (Team Guide and
Programme), Summer Clinic 2001 Director, and manager of
the BSMS. He has graduated from the University of
Canterbury with a B.Com in Marketing and Management and
has a Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Management through
Massey University. This year Piet has undertaken a
Masters degree with a Thesis on “Sport Marketing and
the Internet." He has also refereed all levels of
basketball in Christchurch. During the 2001 season Piet
will be responsible for most of the aspects from last
year as well as managing the Public Relations and acting
as Court Controller during home games. Piet enjoys
travelling to overseas sporting events including the 2000
Australian Tennis Open and six NBA games on a trip to USA
over the Summer. His ambition is to pursue a career in a
professional sport organisation.
IAN
WEBB
Courtside
Announcer
Ian Webb is a familiar face to Canterbury Rams
Fans. During his distinguished playing career with the
province from 1984-92, including a comeback in the 1998
& 89 seasons, Ian was a part of four national
championship sides. He was also a regular member of the
Tall Blacks from 1984-91. Ian is the courtside announcer
during the Rams games, offering informative knowledge and
interesting comments, and he explains the competitions
and games during breaks in play. He has been a TV
commentator during the mid-90s and was on the Executive
of the Canterbury Basketball Association in 1998 and
1999.
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