King to lead Queensland Academy of Sport: Fraser

6 May 2007

King to lead Queensland Academy of Sport: Fraser

The future of Queensland sport is in safe hands following the appointment of former Queensland Bulls and West Indies cricket coach Bennett King as the new Executive Director of the Queensland Academy of Sport.

King, 42, coached the Bulls to three successive Pura Cup titles and was head coach of the Australian Cricket Academy for three years before taking on the West Indies job – a post he quit following the recent World Cup tournament in the Caribbean.

Sport Minister Andrew Fraser said King was an excellent choice for the QAS and would bring strong leadership and vision to the position, which was previously held by former Olympic swimmer Alex Baumann.

“The Queensland Academy of Sport plays a key role in identifying and fostering the development of talented athletes and coaches and Bennett King has the credentials to successfully lead the organisation into the future,” Mr Fraser said.

“He brings a broad range of experiences to the position, having worked extensively with domestic cricket academies and at the highest levels of international cricket, and will bring vision, integrity and creativity to the role.

“Bennett enjoyed unprecedented success with the Bulls, taking them to three successive domestic four-day cricket titles. He has a superb coaching record at both junior and senior level and also has a strong background as a player in both amateur and professional sport.

“He has played first grade rugby league with the former Gold Coast Giants in the late 80s and played with Brisbane and Queensland representative teams during his football career.”

The Queensland Academy of Sport was established in 1991 to foster elite sporting talent and ensure that Queensland remained at the forefront of domestic and international sport.

The list of sporting stars that have progressed through the academy is impressive, including the likes of Kieren Perkins, Susie O’Neill and Grant Hackett.

It presently supports more than 600 elite athletes, representing 21 sports, through the provision of world-class sporting facilities, coaching, sports science and support services.

For more information on the Queensland Academy of Sport, visit: www.qasport.qld.gov.au.

Media contact Chris Taylor 0419 710 874

BENNETT KING PROFILE

Name: Bennett Alfred King

Born: December 19, 1964

Birthplace: Mossman, Queensland

Key roles:

West Indies Cricket Coach: Oct 2004 – Apr 2007

Australian Cricket Academy Head Coach: Mar 2002 – Oct 2004

Queensland Bulls Cricket Coach: 1999-00 (champions); 2000-01 (champions); 2001-02 (champions)

Queensland Academy of Sport Head Cricket Coach 1995-1999

Queensland Cricket Association Development Officer 1994-05

Northern Suburbs Cricket Club Coach 1991-94

Queensland Rugby League Part-time Development Officer 1990-02

Gold Coast Giants rugby league player 1987-1989